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...
ECUADOR – Ecuador's particleboard (MDP) exports totaled USD 201.24 million in 2024, marking a slight increase of 1.5% compared to USD 198.26 million in 2023. The largest export markets for Ecuadorian particleboard remained Colombia, with exports rising 1.1% to USD...
ARGENTINA – Fitecma 2025, the main Argentinian trade show for the wood and furniture industry, has reached a record by selling out its entire exhibition space five months ahead of the event, a milestone that hasn't occurred in the past 10 editions. "In January,...
GERMANY – After a record woodworking machinery production of EUR 4.2 billion in 2023, the VDMA (Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association) has revised its 2024 forecast, predicting a 15% decrease, bringing production to EUR 3.6 billion. This marks a downward...
SWEDEN – Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group—the world’s largest Ikea retailer—has committed EUR 2 million to Swedish innovation company Green14, aiming to support more sustainable silicon production and secure critical raw materials for a renewable...
