The veneers and wood panels market in France

Veneer and wood panel manufacturing is a sub-segment of the wood products manufacturing market, and more broadly of the woodworking market. Veneer and wood panel manufacturing includes the manufacture of :

polished, stained, coated, impregnated, reinforced or patterned veneer sheets

plywood, veneer and panels

particleboard

medium-density fiberboard (MDF)

densified wood manufacturing

glulam production.

There are several distinct markets for wood panel production:

construction ;

furniture;

packaging;

Various activities including DIY.

The global market is growing relatively slowly, but steadily. China, followed by the United States and Russia, are the world's leading producers. The panel segment is the most dynamic.

Growth in the French market is underpinned by a healthy construction sector and dynamic furniture segments.

However, the market suffers from the low competitiveness of the French timber industry , and many of the producers based in France are international groups, making the veneer and wood panel manufacturing industry dependent on them, on the location of their production sites and on the international market. And foreign suppliers benefiting from competitive advantages (more affordable labor, significant forestry resources as in Eastern Europe) can capture demand and increase their market share in France.

The panel, veneer and wood panel manufacturing market can rely on the development of a legal framework keen to promote sustainable, environmentally-friendly production through the introduction of the PEFC and FSC labels.