The demand for plywood has picked up during September and October along with the concurrent rise in demand for MDF and Doors while the demand for laminates and shuttering plywood has been stable because supply building up continuously on the higher side. The particle board sector continues to witness acute pressure on pricing front. The prices in MDF are slowly getting accepted also because imports have shown a reducing trend despite easing up of sea freight rates. Though reduced sea freight charges has certainly helped uninterrupted arrival of Vietnam based plywood thus inflicting pain to Indian Plywood producers. The Indian plywood industry is marred by cheap plywood arrival that may see a dent only when QCO is implemented.
Quality control order (BIS on wood panel sector) is scheduled to set in February 2025 onwards. The stage is set as key amendments and other crucial steps in BIS standardisation are well progressed and getting formalised in relation to ISI mark norms. The only thing lacking now is the Indian Wood Panel Industry readiness for BIS enrollment which can trigger the much needed enthusiasm for adopting to new quality standards. The impact of possible BIS/QCO is certainly going to pose roadblocks for imported panels and increase the demand for domestic plywood industry. The need of the hour is to increase the applications and speed up the preparation for adoption of BIS.
This time plywood and panel industry is aware and willing to welcome QCO adoption. Although there have been few apprehensions and fears on account of sampling, testing charges etc which will ease up for the maximum enrollment of SMEs and MSMEs. Besides this diligent efforts are ongoing by FIPPI, plywood industry and other associations. The need of QCO is thoroughly discussed in various meetings done in different regions among various stakeholders including industry, experts, furniture producers and BIS. These discussions are now bringing the industry closer to the adoption of QCO.
It is obvious that no arrangement is very effective for long if domestic industry is not gearing up to take steps for their own good and for sure it’s time for Indian plywood and panel producer adopt BIS standards without delay to avoid unnecessary hurdles. The demand for wood panel products is expected to remain stable during next 2-3 months seeing the present interior work requirements. Although some macro-economic attention is required from the government as demand for other consumer durables are said to be tapering. Let’s hope US election lead to a stablised world peace and growth of new jobs and markets thus helping every industry to sustain the growth momentum.
Pragat Dvivedi
Founder Editor
Published in Ply Reporter's November 2024 Print Issue