GERMANY – The German furniture industry continues to face significant challenges due to a weak consumer climate, sluggish residential construction, and growing bureaucratic burdens like the EU Deforestation Regulation. In the first half of...
Exports and High-End Demand Propel Italian Kitchen Sector
ITALY – The Italian kitchen furniture sector is navigating a period of consolidation and innovation as it works to recover from a modest downturn in value, following a two-year boom after the pandemic. The decline was attributed to economic factors such as...
US Opens Investigation to Impose Tariffs on Imported Furniture
USA – U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his administration has launched an investigation into imported furniture, with a decision expected within 50 days. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the measure is intended to “bring the furniture business back...
German R&D Remains Central for Wood Machinery Industry
GERMANY – Woodworking machinery and equipment makers continue to anchor their research and development in Germany, according to the latest VDMA (German Association of Machinery and Equipment) survey. The study shows that 84% of all R&D...
Fimma Brasil 2025 Welcomes 20,750 Visitors
BRAZIL – The 17th International Suppliers Fair for the Wood and Furniture Production Chain (Fimma Brasil) confirmed the importance of in-person trade shows for the sector. Held from August 4–7 in Bento Gonçalves (RS), the event featured over 300 national...
Sarton Group to Bring Ikea to Central America
PANAMA – Inter Ikea Systems B.V., owner of the Ikea Concept and global franchisor, has signed franchise agreements with Sarton Group to develop operations in Panama and Costa Rica. The move marks another step in Ikea’s expansion across the Americas....
EU Imposes Anti-Dumping Duties on Wood Flooring from China
BELGIUM – In a decisive move to protect European jobs and ensure fair competition in the wood flooring sector, the European Commission has imposed definitive anti-dumping duties ranging from 21.3% to 36.1% on imports of multilayered wood flooring...
Most Brazilian Wood Products Not Exempt from New U.S. Tariff
BRAZIL – The Brazilian Association of Mechanically-Processed Timber Industry (Abimci) has issued a statement regarding the Executive Order announced by the U.S. government on July 30, which imposes new tariffs on Brazilian exports. According to a...
BioComposites Centre Postpones Global Wooden Panel Symposium
WALES – The International Panel Products Symposium (IPPS), a major global event focused on research and technology in the wood-based panel industry, has been cancelled this year. Originally scheduled for October 2025 in Wales, the event has been postponed to...
Ecuador’s Particleboard Exports Down 8.1% in First Half of 2025
ECUADOR – Ecuador's exports of particleboard / MDP totaled USD 91.3 million between January and June 2025, marking a decline of 8.1% compared to the same period in 2024. Despite the overall drop, the first half of the year revealed growth in key markets such as...
Brazil’s Wood Industry Faces U.S. Tariff Crisis
BRAZIL – The Brazilian Association of Mechanically Processed Wood Industry (Abimci) has issued a public warning about the severe impact of the 50% tariff the United States plans to impose on Brazilian wood products. With around 180,000 direct jobs at risk, the...
Garnica Recognized for Sustainability
SPAIN – Garnica, a global leader in the plywood industry, has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal by EcoVadis, placing the company among the top 3% of the most highly rated businesses in the wood product manufacturing sector worldwide in terms of...