Exceptions are Germany, Norway and Switzerland which are reporting decreases in sales. “Nevertheless, the situation is meanwhile already improving on the German market and in Norway as well. Furthermore, Eastern Europe is at present also showing encouraging trends,” FEP remarks.

The Brussels based federation continues: “Despite the growing competition from the furniture sector wood is still available, though costs are increasing and small strips are lacking. Due to the climatic conditions, oak is becoming increasingly rustic and first shortages of fine grades are felt.”

FEP furthermore underlines the potential threat for the EU as a consequence of the current ‘trade war’ on tariffs between the US and China. “In this context, one could imagine a growing pressure as regards imports of foreign products on the European markets.” A brief per country recap is provided below.

Austria
The Austrian parquet consumption progresses further during the first semester of 2018 compared to the same period last year.

Belgium
The information available point towards a stabilisation of the parquet sales during the first six months of 2018.

Denmark
Compiled data show that the Danish parquet market is flat to slightly negative.

Finland
Parquet sales slightly rise on the Finnish market, reflecting the influence of projects and the improvement of the general economic context. On the other hand, retail is experiencing less positive developments.

France
The French market continues to develop slightly positively during the first half of 2018, with the exception of solid parquet.

Germany
Although the situation has now started to improve, the German parquet consumption fell during the first six months of 2018 compared to the same period last year.

Italy
The increase in Italian parquet sales has been somewhat slowed down by the elections, except in the region of Milan. A recovery is expected by the end of the year.

Netherlands
The information received point to a stabilisation on the Dutch market during the first half of 2018.

Norway
Compiled data indicate that the Norwegian market decreased significantly during the first six months of 2018. However, the situation has meanwhile already improved.

Poland
A moderate improvement of the Polish consumption of parquet during the first half of 2018 is reported.

Spain
The Spanish parquet consumption remains flat for the whole first semester of 2018. While the year has started well, the market is now decreasing due to the preference for ‘low ends’ projects and the slowing down in retail and residential sectors.

Sweden
In Sweden, parquet consumption rises further during the first half of 2018. Small positive developments are observed despite the subdued activity for residential buildings and the decrease in ‘high ends’. The positive developments reflect the growth in new buildings.

Switzerland
Parquet consumption declines in Switzerland during the first six months of 2018.

FEP/GFA, October 2018
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FEP: “In general, parquet consumption continues to progress in the EU benefiting from the encouraging economic context, especially from the growth of the European consumption, and the positive trends shown by the construction sector. Regretfully, Germany, the biggest European market for parquet, has officially reported a significant decline in parquet consumption.”

Consumption in the FEP area rose by 0.3% to reach 79.249.514 m2 compared to 79.014.520 m2 the year before. In terms of consumption per country, Germany remains in first position, despite its declining market, with 21,21% and is followed by France at 10,70%. Sweden completes the podium with 9,98%. The Nordic Cluster at 8,40% keeps the fourth seat. Austria with 8,13% takes back its fifth position from Italy (8,02%) while Switzerland (7,87%) comes in seventh position only.

As regards the per capita parquet consumption, Sweden keeps the first seat (0,78 m2) before Austria (0,74 m2) and Switzerland (0.73 m2). In the total FEP area, the consumption per inhabitant remains stable at 0,18 m2 in 2017.

The total production in FEP territory rose by 2,60% to a volume of 72.184.490 m2. Taking into account the total production in Europe (FEP countries + non-FEP countries in Europe) implies that production in 2017 increased by 2,15% and exceeded 86,7 million m2. As of 2016, figures from Croatia, Estonia, Portugal and Slovenia are considered in the general FEP overview. The European production outside FEP countries is at an estimated 14,5 million square meters – 9 million square meters produced in EU countries and 5,5 million square meters in European non-EU countries.

In absolute production figures by country, Poland maintains its top position at 19,17%. Sweden consolidates its second place on the podium with 15,50%. It is followed by Austria at 13,06%, while Germany comes in as fourth (10,47%).

The 2017 total parquet production per type remains similar to the picture already presented from 2010 onwards, whereby multilayer comes in first with 81% (compared to 80% in 2016), being followed by solid (including lamparquet) with 17% (compared to 18%) and mosaic at 2% of the total cake.

The usage of wood species in 2017 indicates that the share of oak remains stable and reaches 80,6% compared to 80,8% in 2016. Tropical wood species use continues to represent 4,0% of used wood. Ash and beech remain the two other most common chosen species with 6,2% and 2,4% (compared to 5,7% and 2,5% in 2016) respectively.

The results after the first quarter of the current year point to a continuation of the moderately positive parquet consumption trends, FEP continues, with the exception of Germany which is again reporting a significant decrease. “As the economic picture at European level, and for the construction sector in particular, continues to improve steadily, the captains of the parquet industry consider that parquet will benefit from these developments throughout the year 2018.”

FEP: “In general, and in spite of the long and wet winter, the availability of raw material is not a critical issue for the time being. Nevertheless, as long as oak represents more than 80% of the wood used to produce parquet, any variation in its availability can be problematic for the industry. Furthermore, as efficient harvesting has been demanded from forest-owners and sawmillers, small formats are now unfortunately lacking.”

According to FEP, the competition from ‘wood look flooring substitutes’ remains harsh and what the federation calls the widespread misuse of the ‘parquet’ denomination causes more and more confusion at consumer level. FEP nevertheless concludes by saying: “Parquet remains the genuine original, the only flooring solution made of sustainable and renewable raw material Real Wood, coming from sustainably managed and expanding forests!”

Production and consumption developments 2017/2016

FEP/GFA, June 2018
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FEP comments: “Projects are the main driver of the market although renovation should create additional activity. In spite of the long and wet winter, the availability of raw material is not a critical issue for the time being. Nevertheless, as efficient harvesting has been demanded from forest-owners and sawmillers, small formats are now unfortunately lacking.” A brief per country recap is provided below.

Austria
The Austrian parquet sales continued to increase by 2% during the first quarter 2018 compared to the same period last year.

Belgium
The indications available point towards a growth of 3% of the parquet consumption during the first three months of 2018.

Baltic States
Baltic countries’ markets are showing a slightly positive trend during the first quarter 2018.

Denmark
The Danish parquet market remains flat, reflecting the decrease on the retail market which is compensated by the increases observed for contracts and projects.

Finland
Parquet sales slightly rise by 1% on the Finnish market – (large) projects are the main driver of this moderate growth while the residential market is stable.

France
The French market continues to develop positively. Parquet sales grew by an estimated 2% during the first quarter 2018.

Germany
Data indicate that parquet sales fell by 5% during the first quarter of the current year, compared to the first quarter 2017 which was good. This decrease reflects the subdued residential market, the lack of installers which leads to shifting of projects, the competition from ‘wood look’ floor coverings and the disappearing spaces for hardwood flooring on shelfs in DIY.

Italy
Parquet sales rose by 2% during the first quarter 2018 and continued to benefit from the positive economic developments observed in Italy.

Netherlands
The information received points to a confirmation of the improvements already observed on the Dutch market – parquet sales increased by an estimated 3% during the first quarter 2018.

Norway
Compiled data indicate that the Norwegian market is flat to slightly improving (0-1%) during the first months of 2018.

Spain
Despite the turbulent political situation, the Spanish market seems to evolve slowly but positively by 1 to 2% during the first quarter of the year 2018.

Sweden
The trends observed in 2017 are continuing and the parquet consumption rose by 2% during the first quarter 2018 compared to the same period last year. Sales in retailing decrease while project markets keep growing. Sweden is currently the most dynamic market in Scandinavia.

Switzerland
Parquet consumption remains flat but at a high level in Switzerland during the first months of 2018. There are lots of large on-going renovation projects.

FEP/GFA, April 2018
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Matt Daggett, Global Campaign Leader for the Forest Campaign at Greenpeace International, said: “When implemented effectively, Forest Stewardship Council certification can protect people’s rights and improve forest management, but we no longer have confidence that FSC alone can consistently guarantee enough protection, especially when forests are facing multiple threats. FSC is not consistently applied across regions, especially where there’s weak governance.”

Daggett continues: “For a certification scheme to be considered credible in 2018, I believe it must transparently publish the mapped boundaries of sourcing areas and assessment reports to allow external monitoring and input. We are calling on FSC and all certification schemes to act with urgency to improve their transparency.”

Greenpeace further states that local offices that operate in countries “with stronger governance” may maintain FSC membership “so that they can push for stronger implementation at a national level.” The organization will not participate as a member of any other timber certification scheme.

FSC International reacts by saying it “believes this decision moves individual organizations inside Greenpeace International away from working on the responsible management of natural forests, even when certified to the world’s most trusted standard. In FSC’s view, forest protection cannot stand alone without responsible management to help protect and maintain the world’s forests.”

FSC continues: “FSC forest certification is a necessary tool to enhance and ensure economic, social and environmental forest values, including the protection of important biodiversity areas such as High Conservation Value forests and FSC intends to continue playing a frontrunner role in this area.” FSC is nevertheless appreciative of Greenpeace International for its contributions to sustainable management of the world’s forests over the years.

Illegal Deforestation in Argentina (photo: Greenpeace)

“This rather moderate progression is mainly a result of a slight decline of parquet consumption observed in Germany, the biggest European market for parquet, and Switzerland. On the contrary, all other countries are benefiting from the improvement of the general economic context, especially from the growth of the European consumption, and of the positive trends reported by the construction sector,” FEP explains. Poland, The Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden are experiencing the highest growths of parquet consumption, followed by the Czech Republic, Austria and France. Parquet consumption in the Southern European markets such as Italy and Spain is also progressing though to a lesser extent. FEP: “The political situation in Spain and the coming elections in Italy are somewhat limiting the positive developments already observed last year.” The Nordic market (Denmark, Finland and Norway) remains stable after years of turbulences.

This prognosis is based on information received from representatives present at the board meeting held at the Domotex fair in Hannover. Consolidated results will follow after the federation’s general assembly next June in Sorrento, Italy.

FEP continues: “Although the issue seems less acute than in the previous years, the captains of the parquet industry report difficulties in wood procurement, particularly for oak. FEP regrets to notice limitations to wood market access in Russia, Belarus and, especially Ukraine, which has a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the EU, and Croatia, which is part of the EU28 and its Internal Market.” Finally, the FEP board of directors again underlines the tough competition from ‘wood look flooring substitutes’ and what it calls “the widespread misuse of the parquet denomination which is causing a growing and unjust confusion at consumer level.”

FEP/GFA, January 2018
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In Western Europe (including Turkey), total sales for 2017 reached 243 million m² (previous year: 250 million m²), which represents a drop of 2.9%. Germany remains by far the major single market in Central Europe with 57 million m² (p.y. 63 million m²) – albeit with a 10% decline caused by the continuing trend towards substitution with thermoplastic flooring. France continues to occupy. second place in Europe, demonstrating a slight improvement for 2017 with 37.6 million m² (p.y. 37.4 million m²).

The United Kingdom continued the positive trend for EPLF members: a figure of 33.8 million m² (p.y. approx. 33 million m²) was recorded for 2017, an increase of 2.5%. This again puts the UK in third place ahead of Turkey, where association revenues continued to decline in 2017: sales figures for Turkey fell by 9.2% down to 24.9 million m² (p.y. 27.5 million m²). The Netherlands stands firmly in fifth place with slightly increased sales figures of 19.7 million m² (p.y. 19.3 million m²). Again, Spain follows on behind at a stable level of just under 17 million m² (p.y. 17 million m²).

For Eastern Europe, the increase in 2017 was slightly smaller than in the previous year. This region is nevertheless still a major growth market for EPLF manufacturers – at 128 million m² (p.y. 126 million m²), European laminate manufacturers there achieved an increase of 1.9%. In 2017, EPLF members in Russia reported sales of 35 million m² (p.y. 34 million m²), which corresponds to a growth rate of 5.2%. Poland achieved just under 31 million m² in 2017 (p.y. 31 million m²), a steady result. Behind them: Romania, Ukraine, Hungary and Bulgaria.

North America continues to be a strong growth region for sales of European laminate flooring: at 49 million m² (p.y. 47 million m²), around 4.7% more was sold there in 2017 than in the previous year. At around 32 million m² for 2017 (p.y. 29 million m²), the USA saw a gain of 8.1%, whilst Canada recorded just under 18 million m² for 2017 (p.y. 18.1 million m²).

The biggest increase in 2017 was again achieved in the Asia-Pacific region, where EPLF producers reached total sales for 2017 of over 29 million m² (p.y. 27 million m²), thereby gaining an increase over the previous year of around 8.7%.

The Latin America region is again managing to increase its EPLF sales statistics: 2017 saw a 3% growth with sales of 17.7 million m² (p.y. 17 million m²). Figures for Chile, the largest single market, rose by 4.6% compared with the previous year and came to 7.7 million m² (p.y. 7.3 million m²).

In Central Europe the floorings in the MMFA Class 1, i.e. products based on wood-based panels (HDF) continue to determine the market: in 2017, the MMFA manufacturers in this class accounted for over 80% of sales in Germany, Austria and Switzerland alone, and a further 14% in the other West European states. “In 2017, our members in the MMFA Class 1 may have broken through the ten million square metres mark for the first time ever,” says MMFA marketing official Sebastian Wendel.

The MMFA also registered annually increasing sales figures for MMFA Class 2 products (polymer or polymer-composite substrate with polymer surface layer and/or lacquer). However, due to the growth in members, more producers are now reporting their quantities in Class 2. Compared to Class 1, the regional distribution in Class 2 looks rather different: on the more than 50 million m2, which were sold worldwide by the members in 2017 according to the MMFA extrapolation, around 23 million m2 were sold in North America and almost 22 million m2 in West Europe. In West Europe the MMFA members thus accounted for an almost 40% share of the total market for Class 2 products – and the trend continues to rise.

In the MMFA Class 3 (all other build-ups, which do not fall under Class 1 or 2 or external standards – e.g. organic wear layers or mineral core materials), due to cartel law provisions that affect at least five reporting firms, no data can be published for 2017.

MMFA specifies that Class 1 consists of: all products with wood-based substrates (≥ 65% content of wood particles/fibres in the core) with polymer or cork surface layer (cork thickness > 2.5 mm). Class 2: polymer or polymer-composite substrate with polymer surface layer and/or lacquer. Subclass 2A: LVT click (EN10582 and EN 16511) – hot pressed and/or calendered. Subclass 2B: all other polymer substrates (EPC: expanded polymer core, and SPC: solid polymer core). Class 3: all products not covered by class 1 or 2, or external standards. Class 3, for example, covers modules using a click system and textile surface or those on a mineral core. As of 1 January 2018 the Multilayer Modular Flooring Association has 22 ordinary members, 24 associate members and two sponsor members.

MMFA/GFA, January 2018
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