Market Outlook for Particleboard and Hardboard

Particleboard production rose from 111 million square feet (3/4-inch basis) in 1956 to 1.1 billion in 1967, a tenfold increase. Of the 833 million square feet of in particleboard produced in 1965, 68 percent went into manufacturing, 22 percent went directly into construction, and 10 percent into miscellaneous uses. The furniture industry is the major market for particleboard, consuming almost 42 percent of the total particleboard production and 61 percent of the total industrial consumption of particleboard. Particleboard usage in residential construction is about 90 square feet per dwelling. Of the 2.9 billion square feet (1/8-inch basis) of hardboard produced in 1965, 55 percent went into manufacturing. Construction and miscellaneous uses accounted for the remaining 45 percent. Manufacturers of all types used 1.8 billion square feet of hardboard in 1965, some 546 million square feet more than was consumed in 1960. Hardboard found its greatest single use in furniture products. Hardboard usage in residential construction is about 475 square feet per dwelling. It is estimated that the demand for particleboard could reach 3.0 billion square feet by 1975, and 4.5 billion square feet by 1980. Hardboard demand should continue to increase at nearly the same level as it has in the past, so that it should be 6.0 billion square feet by 1975, and 8.5 billion square feet by 1980.

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