Construction sector drives growth in wood plastic composites

The market for wood and plastic composite in Europe will reach almost 360 000 tonnes by 2015, an annual growth of 13%, according to a report from the Hackwell Group. [caption id="attachment_15" align="alignnone" width="259" caption="wood plastic composite decking"][/caption]

The study notes that combinations of wood plastic composite material have been used as alternatives to wood and other materials in Europe for approximately 40 years. After slow early development the market has

grown rapidly over the last five years to reach 193 000 tonnes in 2010.

Decking is the largest application area with 76% of output, according to Hackwell, and much of the predicted growth is expected to be in construction applications, including decking, siding or cladding,fencing and window applications.

Injection moulded products have been successfully used in vehicle and shoe parts, and various other processing technologies have been adopted in the automotive market, which takes 29% of output. Furniture components offer considerable potential for WPC in the medium term.

The study, wood plastic composite decking in Europe, 3rd edition, 2011, forecasts that diluting expensive resin with wood flour will become increasingly economic. Furthermore, end products are environmentally friendly, largely free from rot and do not need painting.