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Russia and Poland are the biggest markets. However, the Polish laminate flooring market dropped significantly (-7%), as did Hungary (-39%). Romania and Ukraine experienced small drops.
Belarus and Bosnia and Herzegovina
recorded a positive sales increase (+8.84% and +3.26% respectively), while Croatia remained stable with 2.55million m2
sold.
EPLF’s sales in Africa declined by -15.66% with 3.24 million m2
sold in 2023, with sales
increasing only in Morocco by +3.37%. Oceania experienced a similar situation with a drop of -21.41% (2.36million m2
). In Asia,
there was a -17.25% decrease (17.79 million m2
sold). Notably, Kazakhstan showed signs
of recovery with sales increasing by +5.67%, with 4.19 million m2
sold compared to 2022,
while China continued to face a decline of -38.21%.
Mr Desmet said high costs of manufacturing in Europe has been a big burden for EPLF members, particularly with their exports outside of Europe. Max von Tippelskirch (Swiss Krono Group), EPLF president, expressed honesty about 2023 being a tough year, with consumers not engaging in building and renovating at past levels.
“But we are looking positively to the future because we believe laminate will rebound like the whole construction industry,” he said. “The decline in the construction sector affects laminate sales. The construction market has been under pressure due to high inflation and rising costs.” In a Q&A time, Mr Desmet said competitor flooring categories had lost a similar percentage of volume in 2023, in the order of 20%. The European Green Deal was a reason
to be optimistic, as laminate flooring’s EPDs & sustainability impact generally were very positive compared to other competitive products. “Laminate flooring is made from wood and
has a very good sustainability profile, so we are confident that the future is bright, but the next months will be lower than 2023. We are going through a dip, but this doesn’t mean we aren’t optimistic.” EPLF believes long term projections show
a very big opportunity for laminate flooring as new construction and renovation are expected to boom in the next few years, with a shortage of housing driving demand.
EPLF TECHNICAL UPDATE The EPLF is continuing with its technical work, monitoring trade issues and taking action where appropriate. Eberhard Herrmann (Classen), EPLF Board member and chairman of the technical committee, told the press meeting that the EPLF has applied to the European
Above: EPLF vice president Ruben Desmet
Commission for laminates to have their own customs code.
Mr Herrmann said currently laminate
trade volumes were bundled in with other products, making it more difficult to ascertain specific product trade volumes, particularly when viewing trade between the EU and other world regions. “The EPLF started its preparation last year for the application, which was made in April and we hope we will be successful in this,” he said.
EPLF is also strengthening its voice for the sector and developing EU stakeholder partnerships.
It has a good partnership with the
European Panel Federation and joined in a coalition of 29 bodies seeking the annulment of melamine’s classification as substance of very high concern (SVHC). This challenge started last year and the process is expected to take 18 months.
EPLF has also strengthened its partnership with the Packaging Chain Forum, endorsing two joint statements in 2023. It has a new working group on the circular
economy to support the recycling strategy of the laminate sector – looking at legal and market requirements for recycling and the definition for recycling content in the new Construction Products Regulation. A joint initiative on collection and sorting schemes will start in 2024 across the whole flooring sector.
The EPLF is also exploring content for a new digital product passport for laminate flooring. Two levels of information are being looked at for the passport – a unified code with general information and information on the product use and end of life. The working group has a new technology
technical bulletin – looking at strategies with regards to the subjects of repair, refurbish, remanufacture and recycle. Project work will continue in 2024.
In standards, EN 13329 (including updated optional requirements for water resistance) for laminate flooring was approved and published.
EN 17861 which includes definitions
on recycled content was approved and published. The working group is now discussing how
to integrate melamine surfaces in polymer cores into a standard as US experts do not want to exclude melamine surfaces onto polymer cores. Meanwhile, the press meeting saw an
update on laminates flooring style trends. The natural and warm sand colours, such as ochre are a customer favourite once again, while matt surfaces are also popular. Geometric patterns are also seeing
interest, with a big uplift in herringbone and stone designs. Water resistance and durability topics are still important and will push the market, creating a lot of opportunities for the laminates market, according to EPLF. ●
Above: Sales dipped by 13% in 2023. Source: EPLF
www.wbpionline.com | April/May 2024 | WBPI
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