CLEVELAND, OH -- U.S. demand for decorative laminates is forecast to advance 5.5 percent per year to 12.4 billion square feet in 2015, a rebound from the declines of the 2005-2010 period.  The decorative laminates industry is sensitive to changes in the overall economy, as well as spending on new building construction and on remodeling and repairs.  As a result, demand for decorative laminates contracted during the 2005-2010 period in light of recessionary conditions between December 2007 and June 2009 and the downturn in the housing market that began in 2006.  Going forward, continued improvement in the housing market, lower unemployment and greater credit availability will boost demand for laminates across the board in all major applications: cabinets, furniture, flooring, wall panels and countertops. Demand for laminates made from low-pressure overlays (i.e., low-basis weight papers, saturated papers, decorative foils and vinyl films), which account for more than 80 percent of decorative laminate sales in area terms, is forecast to grow 5.7 percent per year through 2015. These and other trends are presented in Decorative Laminates, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.  

The cabinet market will continue to account for the single largest share of decorative laminates demand in 2015, while also posting gains well above the industry average.  Decorative laminates will largely benefit from a rebound in cabinet production, based on accelerating domestic demand from an improving US housing market, as well as expanding export opportunities.  In addition to improved market potential, gains will be boosted by rising interest in decorative laminates as a less costly alternative to lumber (particularly exotic hardwoods) and wood veneers in cabinet production. 

The flooring market for decorative laminates will record the most rapid gains through 2015, fueled by improvement in construction spending and rising consumer interest in laminate flooring.  As a result, laminate flooring production in the US will rebound.  Decorative laminate producers will continue to introduce improved laminates for use in flooring, such as those featuring enhanced durability, and advanced designs that resemble natural stone or tile flooring as well as costly and exotic wood species (e.g., mahogany).

 © 2012 by The Freedonia Group, Inc.

Decorative Laminates (published 02/2012, 291 pages) is available  from The Freedonia Group, Inc., 767 Beta Drive, Cleveland, OH  44143-2326.  For further details, please contact Corinne Gangloff by phone 440.684.9600, fax 440.646.0484 or e-mail [email protected]. Information may also be obtained through FreedoniaGroup.com.

Source: The Freedonia Group, Inc.