BELGIUM - After a series of successful years, the market of laminate floorings suffered in 2022.

The members of the European producers of laminate flooring (EPLF) have experienced difficulties which translated in the sales volumes that showed an overall decline in most regions.

This is mainly due to the global energy crisis that followed the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has led to inflation.

The EPLF total sales for 2022 amounted to 367.169.430 m², a decrease of 24% compared to 2021. Most regions are hit by this trend, with Latin America being hit the most by the drop in sales with 11.175.159 m² (-51% compared to 2021), Chile being the most affected market (-67%; 4.462.283 m²).

In 2022, sales in Western Europe decreased by 22% (179.084.344 m² sold). A vast majority of the countries in the region have been affected by the international upheaval, with few exceptions.

In Eastern Europe, the region was hit harder than its western counterpart as sales fell by -24% (107.745.587 m² sold) compared to 2021.

North America is the market impacted the least compared to other regions in the world with a setback of only  2,4% withs sales of 29.193.057 m².

Despite the supply issues and the higher energy costs the sector is facing, EPLF members are confident that they will soon return to sales figures similar to those of 2021 when consumers' enthusiasm for remodelling boosted the purchase of laminate flooring, during the pandemic.