Cost Comparison of Raw Materials and Different Surface Materials, 1997 Asian Laminates Symposium Proceedings

The paper describes the cost situation for the lamination of wood-based panels. It investigates the different types of raw boards and surface materials as well as their ranges of application. Further, this paper shows the changes in the use of different surface materials and it mentions some possible reasons for these changes.

The major locations for the production of surface materials are presently in Europe. After the growth in production capacities for raw boards in some fast developing countries, demand for processing and finishing lines has considerably increased. Investments in these lines result in growing demand for surface materials.

The market for surface materials has been liable to some changes in the last few years. The increase of the market volume for surface materials was accompanied by changes in the market shares of the different materials: Printed decor paper has grown strongly. Consumption of thermoplastic foils was pushed by the increasing importance of 3D-furniture fronts. Consumption of finish foils saw a slight upward trend since the 1980’s, while a renaissance of finish foils has been reported also for the past few years. These changes are influenced by cost developments which are described in this paper.