Conference Report: European Panel Federation | 33
European countries will remain the same in 2025, with the exception of Italy, which is expected to see a 120,000m3
reduction. This
demonstrates the lack of major investment in new production capacity in the region. Figures for MDF production exclude
Turkey and Russia. With the exception of western Europe, all major European regions contributed to the 2024 growth to 11.3 million m3
.
The total is expected to grow in 2025 to about 11.64 million m3
, according to EPF.
In the OSB sector, European producers gained a greater market share in construction during 2024, while also increasing extra-EU exports of OSB. The top two extra-EU export destinations were the US (564,000m3 (480,000m3
/ +43%) and the UK / +3%).
EPF predicts OSB production to further grow in 2025 to 7.24 million m3
(+184,000m3 ).
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS EPF managing board member Stefan Zinn (Pfleiderer) and Holger Lösch, executive board member of the Federation of German Industries, summarised the industry future in the face of transformation and geopolitical challenges. Mr Zinn told delegates that the industry was experiencing very challenging times. “It is even more important to have clear guidance and strong support for the industry,” said Mr Zinn. Mr Zinn said while wood was an important
material in helping realise low carbon targets, the emphasis in recent years of a “zero everything” policy was not possible in reality. The panels industry, he added, needed a reliable source of energy to operate and needed to be competitive. He warned that the burden of regulation and ultra-low emissions targets could lead to
greater imports of cheaper Chinese furniture which doesn’t need to meet the same standards.
“New regulation in Europe and Germany
needs to be reasonable and not put our industry out of business,” he added. Holger Lösch, executive board member of
the Federation of German Industries, said European regulations were trying to do the impossible and performing “gymnastics” in their policy approach. This came, he said, from a general distrust towards businesspeople from European policymakers and a risk averse approach. Mr Lösch said policymakers were understanding that the industry had tough challenges, but they were also intent on ambitious climate targets. “There is an internal fight about what measures we need to take to gain business confidence again, while still helping climate targets,” he said. “We need to get away from this attitude of
regulating every detail because it is ruining our innovation.”
New EPF managing director Matti Rantanen reported a growth in building permits towards the end of 2024 (+14%) and the start of 2025 (+5%), following a declining trend in recent years. But he said economic sentiment remains in “negative territory” for the industry.
The furniture sector experienced a minor increase in production in Q1, 2025 year-on- year, after a 20% decline from mid-2022 to the end of 2024.
Mr Rantanen summarised by saying private
consumption is the main current growth driver in the EU27, while there is now reduced uncertainty in the construction sector. He said there is a turning point in the EU housing market amid improved affordability, rising real wages and declining interest rates. Dr Paulina Dejmek Hack, head of cabinet for European commissioner Jessika Roswall,
Above: Delegates attending the conference
Above: Dr. Paulina Dejmek Hack, head of cabinet for commissioner Jessika Roswall
Above: EPF MD Matti Rantanen
www.wbpionline.com | August/September 2025 | WBPI
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