Plywood price index

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Plywood price index

This post is a summary of the Plywood price index developments since 2015 as per the World Bank. The developments are expressed as an index and not in absolute terms. Therefore the Plywood price index means that the values provided are relative to Jan 1 2019 which is defined as 1.00.

Further information on the Plywood price index

What is plywood

Plywood is a type of engineered wood product that is made by layering thin sheets of wood veneer and bonding them together with an adhesive. The wood veneers, or plies, are usually rotated 90 degrees with each successive layer, which gives plywood its characteristic strength and durability.

There are several grades of plywood, which are determined by the appearance and quality of the veneer, as well as the intended end use of the product. The most common grades of plywood are A, B, C, and D, with A-grade plywood having the highest quality veneer and D-grade plywood having the lowest quality veneer.

Plywood is typically made from softwood species, such as pine, spruce, and fir, although hardwood species, such as oak and mahogany, can also be used. It is available in a variety of sizes, thicknesses, and grades to suit different applications.

How is plywood produced

Plywood is produced through a process called cross-lamination, in which thin sheets of wood veneer, or plies, are glued together with an adhesive. The plies are usually rotated 90 degrees with each successive layer, which gives plywood its characteristic strength and durability.

The production of plywood involves the following steps:

Log preparation

The first step in the production of plywood is the preparation of logs, which are typically obtained from softwood species, such as pine, spruce, and fir. The logs are debarked and then cut into veneer sheets using a veneer peeling machine.

Veneer drying

The veneer sheets are then dried in a kiln to remove moisture and improve their stability.

Veneer grading

The veneer sheets are then graded according to their appearance and quality, with the highest quality veneers being used for A-grade plywood and the lowest quality veneers being used for D-grade plywood.

Glue spreading

The veneer sheets are then coated with an adhesive, typically a type of resin, using a glue spreader. The adhesive is applied to one side of each veneer sheet.

Pressing

The coated veneer sheets are then stacked in the desired order and placed in a press, where they are subjected to heat and pressure to bond the veneers together. The press time and temperature depend on the type of adhesive being used and the desired properties of the finished plywood.

Cutting and trimming

The pressed plywood is then cut to size and trimmed to remove any excess veneer or glue.

Finishing

The finished plywood is then sanded and may be coated with a sealant or finish to improve its appearance and durability.

Plywood is typically produced on a continuous production line, with the veneer sheets being fed into the press and the finished plywood being cut and trimmed as it emerges from the other end of the line. The production of plywood generates wood waste, which is typically recycled or used as fuel in the kilns.

What is plywood used for

Plywood is widely used in construction, furniture making, and other applications where strong and stable wood products are needed. It is also used in the production of decorative paneling, cabinets, and other interior finishes.

Further reading

• World Bank source publication
• Wikipedia for general background notes

Plywood market information

The global plywood market is significant, with plywood being widely used in a variety of applications, including construction, furniture making, and decorative paneling. The demand for plywood is influenced by a number of factors, including economic conditions, the housing market, and the demand for end-use products.

According to market research firm Mordor Intelligence, the global plywood market was valued at around $38.3 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% between 2021 and 2026. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market for plywood, accounting for around 50% of global demand. The demand for plywood is driven by the construction and furniture industries, among others.

It is worth noting that the market for plywood can be subject to fluctuations due to changing economic conditions and shifts in demand for end-use products. In addition, the development of new technologies and the introduction of alternative wood products could also impact the size of the market.

According to https://oec.world/ : Plywood are the world’s 226th most traded product.

In 2020, the top exporters of Plywood were China ($4.12B), Indonesia ($1.77B), Russia ($1.33B), Vietnam ($785M), and Malaysia ($733M).

In 2020, the top importers of Plywood were United States ($2.75B), Japan ($1.25B), Germany ($932M), South Korea ($721M), and United Kingdom ($628M).