LEESBURG, VA - Total North American production capacity of particleboard, medium density fiberboard, hardboard and engineered wood siding decreased 4.4 percent from January 2013 to January 2014, according to the Composite Panel Association (CPA).

Total industry capacity is 8,532 MMSF ¾” basis compared to 8,922 MMSF ¾” basis last year, a decrease of 390 MMSF (690 MCM).

The biggest decline was in the particleboard sector. CPA said particleboard production capacity totaled 5,219 MMSF as of January 2014, down 371 MMSF or 6.6% from the same month in 2013.

MDF production capacity totaled 2,702 MMSF for 2014, a decrease of 19 MMSF or 0.7% from 2013. Hardboard capacity was unchanged from 2013, totaling 3,668 MMSF ⅛” basis.

A portrait of the North American composite wood industry is presented in the CPA's newly published 2014 North American Capacity Report. It includes the individual production capacities of every particleboard, MDF and hardboard plant in North America, plus a map showing the location of each plant. CPA members represent 92.3% of all active capacity in North America.

CPA defines capacity as the maximum amount of panels a plant could produce in a given year, as opposed to the amount of customer purchased panels a plant could ship, if operated under optimal conditions. Capacity of mills that have curtailed operations temporarily or permanently closed has been removed from the total 2014 capacity.

The report is available in electronic format only on the CPA website. It is free to CPA members and available to non-members for $250 per copy. For more information, contact Jeannie Ervin.