In 2024, European laminate flooring sales stabilized again after the market's ups and downs in recent years. According to the Association of the European Producers of Laminate Flooring(EPLF), the slight decline compared to 2023 sales demonstrates that laminate products continue to enjoy a strong position in the construction sector despite persistent inflation and rising material costs.

The EPLF total sales for 2024 amount to 313.459.786 m², which is stable at just 1,44% less than last year. For reference, the difference between 2023 and 2022 was -13,38%, a much higher drop. The same trend can be observed in sales for main regions – Western Europe (51% of all sales) and Eastern Europe (29% of all sales), experienced only slight decreases in sales in 2024 (-2,74% and -4,97% respectively), while other regions registered a positive sales trend: North America (+8,85%), Latin America (+8,51%) and Asia (+10,53%).

Zooming in on Western Europe’s sales performance in 2024, its small decrease of -2,74% in relation to 2024 denoted 160.840.928 m² sold. Turkey (+16,82%), Italy (+11,35%) and the Netherlands (+3,25%) boasted increases this year. However, the decline of sales in three biggest markets affected the region: Germany -2,40% (33,031,269 m2), France -7,38% (30,559,036 m2) and Great Britain -8,87% (22,862,886 m2) were affected by a slowdown.

Eastern Europe has also stabilised its sales. Steady recovery was recorded with total sales of 91,895,034 m2, 4,97% less compared to 2023. The region’s two biggest markets experienced a decline. Sales in Russia dropped the most, -14,75% (31,868,966 m2). Poland saw a small decrease of -0,96% with sales standing strong at 21,176,658 m2. The third biggest market, Romania, increased its sales by +7,42% (8,977,926 m2). Hungary is also recovering from a big drop of -39,20% in 2023, with sales in 2024 increasing by 5.12% (4,863,049 m2).

North America is one of the biggest success stories of 2024. In 2024, the region started to bounce back (+8,85%) with sales amounting to 23.521.002 m². Canada saw a biggest gain of +14,15% (5,574,673 m2), with USA remaining the biggest market and scoring 7,30% more sales than the year before (17,946,329 m2). Similarly, Latin America increased by 8,51% in 2024 (8.032.281 m²). Chile continues its upward trajectory with +8.83%, or 3,896,816 m2.

EPLF’s sales in Africa picked up by +16.95% with 3,794,025 m² sold in 2024, reversing the trend from 2023. The most notable were in Egypt (+38.83%, 1,345,748 m²) and Morocco (+15.95%, 926,072 m²). Though Asia enjoyed an increase of 10.53% in 2024, China and Kazakhstan declined by -17.11% and -3.26% compared to 2023 (1,925,547 m² and 4,058,021 m² sold respectively). Taiwan shot up by +74.09%, however, with a mere 3,094,173 m² in sales in 2024.

The construction market has been experiencing significant swings due to global economic shifts – from high inflation and rising costs of materials to geopolitical pressures. The 2024 numbers tell a story of laminate sector’s resilience through chaos. The steady recovery in most regions may be signalling a return to stability, with positive long-term prognoses.

Of course, the continued war in Ukraine and potential trade wars might bring about new challenges. Still, the shortage of housing will need to be addressed despite this, and with it – new houses and renovations. Moreover, the European Commission appointed a Commissioner for Energy and Housing for the first time. Considering the EU executive’s plans for an European Affordable Housing Initiative Plan, the durable and affordable laminate products will have a role to play to help the EU reach its objectives.

Source: EPLF