Global plywood production was around 105 million m3\u00a0in 2021. The Asia-Pacific region\u00a0is\u00a0the biggest plywood producer, followed by North America. Also, consumption is concentrated in these areas.<\/p>\n
Birch plywood accounts for only 5% of the global plywood production volume but its consumption has grown in the last decade reaching almost 5 million m3\u00a0in 2020, driven by increased demand in the high-end-use segments.<\/p>\n
Europe remains the largest consumer of birch plywood, with an estimated 45% of total global consumption. Russia, with their production of about 3,6 million m3\u00a0of birch plywood (2020), has been the biggest single provider of high-quality certified birch plywood products to demanding industrial end-use segments.<\/p>\n
With the sanctions on Russia, about 1.5 million m3\u00a0of birch plywood is missing from the European market, leading traders and end-users to look for quality substitutes. The other producers, Finland, the Baltic countries and Poland, can increase their production to some extent. This will not, however, be enough to replace the Russian imports, especially when there is a lack of birch logs in the Baltic countries and Poland.<\/p>\n
Birch plywood can be substituted with plywood made of other wood species, depending on the application\u2019s technical\/mechanical requirements. Birch plywood\u2019s unbeatable strength\/weight ratio is a strong asset and its main competitive advantage. For example, in demanding formwork, durable birch plywood can be used several times.<\/p>\n
Birch plywood can be substituted by eucalyptus plywood from Asia and Africa; poplar plywood originating from China, Spain or France; tropical hardwood plywood, which is more expensive and whose availability cannot be guaranteed; softwood plywood, and other wood-based panels, such as OSB. All these products can substitute birch plywood in certain cases or temporarily.<\/p>\n
Russian birch plywood is believed to reach the EU markets through China as a \u201cChinese\u201d product, which is against the EU sanctions, and the US markets through China and Vietnam, also against the US regulations. However, this is not believed to be a long-lasting trend and thus, traders and end users will have to find alternative supply species and products.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Global plywood production was around 105 million m3\u00a0in 2021. The Asia-Pacific region\u00a0is\u00a0the biggest plywood producer, followed by North America. Also, consumption is concentrated in these areas. Birch plywood accounts for only 5% of the global plywood production volume but its … Continue reading