Headlines
Interzum 2025 to Highlight Circular Economy and Biobased Solutions
GERMANY - The circular economy and biobased solutions will be the focus of interzum 2025, highlighting sustainable resource management in furniture production and interior design. From May 20 to 23, 2025, the leading international trade fair will showcase various...
Spanish Furniture Sector Sees Stable International Sales in 6M-2024
SPAIN - International sales in the Spanish furniture sector remain nearly unchanged in 6M-2024 from the same period last year, showing a slight increase of 0.9%, totaling EUR 1.54 billion. Meanwhile, Spanish furniture imports have risen by 3.4% during the first half...
European Associations Call for Delay in EUDR Implementation
BELGIUM - On September 25, 2024, 29 European associations, including the European Panel Federation (EPF), the European Confederation of Woodworking Industries (CEI-Bois), and the European Timber Trade Federation, released a joint statement urging a delay in the...
VDMA Lowers 2024 Woodworking Machinery Forecast
GERMANY – VDMA (German Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers Association) Woodworking Machinery has retracted its forecast for 2024, expecting a 15% decline in production, down to EUR 3.6 billion in Germany. This follows a record EUR 4.2 billion in 2023. With 3,600...
Peruvian Particleboard / MDP Imports Decline in 7M-2024
PERU – In the first seven months of 2024 (7M-2024), Peru's imports of particleboard / MDP totaled approximately USD 78.89 million, marking a 12.6% decrease compared to USD 90.31 million during the same period in 2023. Key countries of origin included Ecuador, which...
Chile Records Strong Growth in Wooden Furniture Imports
CHILE - From January to June 2024, Chile's imports of wooden furniture reached a total of USD57.66 million, marking a significant 26.6% increase from USD 45.56 million during the same period in 2023. Brazil remains the main supplier country, with imports valued at USD...
Mixed Latam Plywood Imports Growth in 2023
COLOMBIA - Plywood imports in Latin America during 2023 have shown a mixed picture. Despite a slight decline in overall imports compared to 2022, some countries have experienced significant changes in their figures. According to data from Sisduan, total plywood...
Contraction Prevails in Italian Wood Processing Technology
ITALY - The Italian woodworking and furniture technology sector continues to grapple with a challenging economic environment, as the industry sees its ninth consecutive quarter of reduced orders. This slowdown follows a period of exceptional growth in the two years...
Grass Receives Plus X Award for Highest Customer Satisfaction in Germany 2024
GERMANY - Every year, the prestigious Plus X Award conducts a survey to identify the top brands in Germany with the highest levels of customer satisfaction. After careful evaluation of more than 11,000 votes, Grass was honored with the Plus X Award for “Germany’s...
Brazil Calls for EU to Reevaluate Deforestation Import Ban
BRAZIL – Brazil government authorities urge the European Commission to reconsider its anti-deforestation rules, which could impact its exports by nearly USD 15 billion. The EU's 2022 legislation bans imports from deforested areas after 2022, effective December 30,...
Bene Invests Over EUR 10 Million in Sustainable Energy Initiatives
AUSTRIA - Office furniture manufacturer Bene, one of Europe’s largest, launched a thermal roof renovation project in May 2023, completing it in August 2024. This new roof cuts heating energy demand by 50 percent. Bene also invested in a photovoltaic (PV) system that...
Mixed Results for Italy’s Wood-Furniture Sector in First Half of 2024
ITALY - The Italian wood-furniture sector has had a challenging start to the year, experiencing a sales contraction of 5.2% in the first half (6M-2024), affecting both the domestic market (6.0%) and the export market (4.1%). However, forecasts for the remainder of...
Current
Commercial Mission Chile: 35 Brazilian Firms and Buyers from 7 Countries
CHILE - On July 23-24, 2024, Santiago, Chile, hosted the Missão Comercial Chile 2024, an event aimed at boosting the Latin American furniture market through the Brazilian Furniture Project. Organized by ABIMÓVEL (Brazilian Association of Furniture Industries) in...
All Set For 13th Edition of the European Wood-based Panel Symposium
GERMANY – The 13th European Wood-based Panel Symposium will take place on 9 – 11 October 2024, at the at the Grand Elysée Hotel in Hamburg.
Valmet Finalizes Acquisition of Demuth in Brazil
Difficult 2Q-2024 for Proteak
MEXICO – Proteak, Mexico’s largest forestry company, reported its results for the second quarter of 2024 (2Q-2024).
Weyerhaeuser Acquiring High-Quality Timberlands
USA – Weyerhaeuser, one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands, has acquired 84,300 acres of premium timberlands in Alabama for $244 million.
New Catas Website Ensures Authenticity of Test Reports
ITALY – Certification body Catas has launched verify.catas.com to combat the misuse of its name through fraudulent or altered test reports.
Central America Sees Significant Growth in Wooden Furniture Imports
CENTRAL AMERICA – During the first four months of 2024, Central America experienced robust growth in the importation of wooden furniture, reflecting a strong demand for these products across the region.