EFPI: Engineered wood flooring exports remain strong

Mar 09, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. Engineered wood flooring accounted for 92% of all wood flooring imported into Europe in 2010, according to new figures released by the European Federation of Parquet Importers (EFPI). Wood flooring imports totalled 6.7 million square metres in 2010, with engineered wood accounting for 6.2 million square metres and solid flooring 558,007 square metres, as TTJ reported. EFPI said an exact comparison could not be made with previous years due to different calculation methods, but it said the figures show the outlook is moderately positive for European imports. Looking at the same group of importing companies in 2009 and in 2010, EFPI reported a slight increase in imports, a “positive” achievement given the trading conditions prevailing. “The 2010 data confirm our members determination and hard work in overcoming the economic crisis which plagued Europe in recent years,” said EFPI president Jürgen Früchtenicht. “We are looking forward to the implementation of the EU Illegal Logging Regulation and will continue to provide our support to the EU executive in its efforts to secure certified timber imports,” said Mr Früchtenicht. Figures exclude intra-EFPI trade, exports, re-exports, and cross-trade business with markets outside Europe. Sales are measured in the geographic territory of Europe regardless of whether the country is a member of the EU.