NEW YORK - Global demand for decorative laminates is expected to rise more than five percent per year to 11 billion square meters in 2018. Demand will benefit from improved building construction activity in developed areas following the global recession of 2009 and subsequent slow recovery that limited the market during the 2008-2013 period. Continued efforts to expand and modernize the building stock in developing areas will propel gains. Growth will also be driven by increased market penetration at the expense of other surfacing materials (wood veneer and paint) due to cost and performance benefits. Decorative laminate manufacturers will continue to focus on product development, with improved textures and printing techniques that create advanced graphics that rival the aesthetics of alternative materials.

China, India to drive growth in key Asia/Pacific region

Because many types of particleboard and MDF are given a laminate layer at the point of production, the largest regional markets for decorative laminates are also among the world's largest suppliers of these boards. In 2013, the Asia/Pacific region was the largest, with over 45 percent of the global total. Advances will be propelled by the continuing development of the Chinese market for decorative laminates. The country is a significant producer not only of engineered wood boards that may be laminated at or near the site of manufacture but also products such as ready-to-assemble furniture that heavily rely on engineered wood. India is expected to register the most rapid gains worldwide through 2018. Since lamination capabilities are often included at the point of board production, this trend will be aided by the expected expansion of domestic MDF and particleboard manufacturing capacity as a way to more efficiently use local wood.

Furniture to be fastest growing major market

Cabinets and furniture were the largest markets for decorative laminates in 2013, accounting for roughly three-fourths of total demand. Of these, the furniture market is projected to post the most rapid gains, as manufacturing activity will accelerate from low 2013 bases in many developed areas, including Japan, the US, and Western Europe. As personal incomes rise in developing areas individuals will be able to dedicate more of their monetary resources to purchasing furniture, further supporting laminate demand gains. In the cabinets market, more cabinets will use engineered wood, such as medium-density fiberboard and particleboard, and decorative laminates will benefit from this trend.

Demand in developing countries now faster

Well established decorative laminate industries are found in Western Europe and the US, where engineered wood and paper industries are highly developed. Western Europe was the first region to emerge as a major supplier of decorative laminates. While many of the leading suppliers still maintain capacity there, production of many products that use laminates is growing faster in developing countries. For example, China overtook Germany as the leading producing country of laminate flooring over the 2008-2013 period. As such, decorative laminate demand in developed areas lags that projected for developing countries.

Study coverage

This upcoming industry study, World Decorative Laminates presents historical demand data (2003, 2008, 2013) plus forecasts (2018, 2023) by product, market, world region,

and for 20 major countries. This study also details market environment factors, evaluates company market share and profiles 40 global competitors such as Arclin, Formica, FRITZ EGGER, Panolam and Wilsonart.

Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p02484966-summary/view-report.html

Source: Reportlinker