In 2017, consumption of particleboard in Russia for the first time in 6 years showed a significant increase

For the past 7 years, Russia has been the second largest producer and consumer of particleboard in the world after China (25 million m3 in 2017). World demand for particleboard stagnates — the USA reduced its consumption by 2.3 times to 4.5 million m3 in 2000, Germany by 1.8 times to 5.2 million m3 in 2017 — and it is substituted for MDF/HDF based products.

Consumption of particleboard in Russia in 2017 for the first time in 6 years showed a significant increase: The main increase was provided for by Kronoshpan Bashkortostan (the design capacity of the plant is 1 million m3 of particleboard per year). Exports from Russia have been growing for four consecutive years, CAGR 22%. Imports in 2017 increased by +12% (YoY) after two years of decline: Belorussian producers are increasing their sales to Russia. The capacities of the announced greenfield projects for the construction of particleboard plants in Russia for the period up to 2023 are 2 million m3.

In 2017, some enterprises in the European part of Russia temporarily suspended production during a period of shortage of raw materials. There was a strong deficit of products with a strong demand from consumers on the market. Price pressure on the particleboard producers was exerted by film and resin suppliers. The cost of “chemicals” has increased over the year by an average of 15%. During the production suspension period, a deficit of particleboard/laminated particleboard was created on the market, which persisted until the end of the first quarter of 2018

However, the reserve capacity at the enterprises remains as new Swiss Krono products should have a “stabilizing” effect on the market. In 2018, the company is launching a particleboard line, which will increase capacity by 25%. Particleboard dimensions produced on a new press: 2750 х 1830 mm.

WhatWood has recently prepared an annual update of study “Particleboard market  in Russia 2017-2018”.