U.S. Wood-Based Panel Industry: Production Trends and Changing Markets

Wood-based panel production in the United States accounts for approximately 30 percent of the world production of all wood-based panels. Production trends and changing markets of the U.S. panel products industry are discussed, by commodity, in this first of a four-part series on this general topic. Other papers will address standards for panel products, research and technological innovations, and energy, environmental protection, and occupational safety and health considerations. This four-part series was prepared to provide the reader with a broad overview of this important wood producing industry. This paper discusses softwood plywood, hardwood and decorative plywood, particleboard, medium density fiberboard, hardboard, structural insulation board, structural flakeboard, and panels made with veneer faces and particle cores. In each of these product categories raw material considerations, production statistics, and consumption of the product are discussed. Major uses for each commodity are reviewed and where data are available, product imports and exports are highlighted.

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