GERMANY – Markus Hüllmann, Chairman of the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association, provided an optimistic outlook for the woodworking machinery sector at the press preview for Ligna 2025. Despite economic challenges and global competition, Hüllmann believes European...
GERMANY – The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) will launch the FSC Brand Hub on April 3, a user-friendly platform designed to streamline trademark management, marketing resources, and brand assets for all FSC stakeholders. Developed with input from users worldwide,...
BELGIUM – The European Commission has initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of Brazilian softwood plywood following a complaint from the Softwood Plywood Consortium (SPC), which represents major European producers. The probe aims to determine whether...
GERMANY – As Ligna approaches its 50th anniversary edition, the trade fair for the woodworking and wood processing industry has seen an impressive surge in exhibitor registrations. 1,337 exhibitors have signed up so far, surpassing the 1,288 exhibitors from the 2023...
ROMANIA – Austrian wood products manufacturer Kronospan has announced the acquisition of the ZG Timber Sebes plant from the insolvent Ziegler Group. The agreement, signed on March 1, 2025, is expected to be finalized by mid-year, pending regulatory approvals. With...
ITALY – The ready-to-assemble (RTA) / flat-pack furniture sector continues to hold a major share in the European furniture market, accounting for more than 20% of total consumption on average. This growth is largely driven by the rapid expansion of e-commerce, which...
CHILE – Chilean particleboard (MDP) exports experienced an important increase in 2024, reaching USD 123.08 million, a 22.6% increase compared to the previous year. The growth was driven primarily by strong demand in key markets such as Mexico, Colombia, and the United...
ARGENTINA – Arauco Argentina is developing an investment of over USD 250 million to modernize its pulp mill in Puerto Piray, Misiones. The project includes the installation of a new 39-megawatt turbo generator, which will initially supply power exclusively to the...
USA – BIFMA, representing commercial furniture manufacturers and suppliers across North America, emphasizes the importance of free trade in maintaining competitive global supply chains. The association warns against new tariffs that could disrupt trade relationships...
SPAIN – Spanish furniture exports saw a 2.3% increase in 2024, reaching over EUR 3.1 billion. France remains the top destination, accounting for 26% of exports, though it saw a 2.8% decline. Portugal (+4.6%), Germany (+0.4%), Italy (+10.7%), and the Netherlands (+9%)...
GERMANY – The German furniture industry experienced a significant downturn in 2024, with total turnover dropping 7.4% to EUR 16.4 billion, according to official figures. Domestic sales fell 6.8% to just under EUR 11 billion, while exports (33% of total sales)...
ITALY – Italy’s wood processing and furniture technology sector faced significant challenges in 2024, influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions and the lasting effects of the Ukraine conflict. Additionally, the sector struggled with the aftermath of unusually high...
