WPC/PVC demand seems to be idle though being driven through projects queries. Dealers/ Distributors have gone back to plywood focus where as PVC board has become a secondary market driven product. Meanwhile PVC doors frames and PVC laminate demands are growing but Foam board market is struggling due to ones but manufacturers short sightedness.
Year 2016-2017 was said to be a good year for WPC/PVC board manufacturing. There was an excitement among stakeholders such as machinery suppliers, manufacturers, traders, chemical suppliers along with users. It was believed to be charismatic product that has potential to fight in Termite/Borer prone India market and ultimately replace plywood infurniture
making. Plywood producers became cautious with PVC arrival and even many decided to enter into manufacturing. Even top plywood brands such as Greenply, Centuryply added it in their portfolio. Brands like Reliance, Sintex etc put their feet in this category apart from old and established players like Jain Irrigation, Echon started exploring India demand, who till then focused on exports.
Moving on, come 2018 and India’s WPC/PVC foam board seems to have turned sleepy. Despite manufacturing establishment crossed 100 mark, PVC board market seems to be standstill. Reason is flood of low quality materials and degradation of the product quality, image and its margins for dealers/distributors who have now started loosing their interest. Growing number of complains is forcing away the dealers who are now asking for longer credit period due to product extremely slow pace. Users don’t have any quality guarantee kind of confidence from suppliers simply because there is no acknowledgement by BIS. Plant Breakdowns in manufacturing, lack of technical manpower make ‘consistence quality product’ supply as a challenging task. The struggle keep their confidence low hence they take lesser interest in investing in marketing and promotion. Since major producers are small players, hence they don’t dare to invest in promotion instead use short-cut like supplying low quality materials on lower pricing.
WPC/PVC demand seems to be idle though being driven through projects queries. Dealers/Distributors have gone back to plywood focus where as PVC board has become a secondary market driven product. Meanwhile PVC doors frames and PVC laminate demands are growing but Foam board market is struggling due to ones but manufacturers short sightedness. We at Ply Reporter often discuss ‘what went wrong with PVC board market’? Conclusively we hope it shall bounce back as India marketeers never loose any product.
In this yearend December issue, ‘7 TURNING POINTS OF 2018’ would remind your memory of happenings in wood panel industry and trade in 2018. The one2one interaction with the ‘pioneer of Decorative Veneer Mr. Suman Shah of Jalaram Veneer’ is worth reading for manufacturers, traders and showroom owners. There are lots of industry and market news in this issue apart from coverage of exhibitions held in Mumbai. Approximately 150 brands related to wood panel surface decor trade were showcased at glittering displays in Mumbai in November where The Ply Reporter team went through every details of product showcased there. Hope you will enjoy the Glimpses and knowledge as always. Happy reading and Good Bye 2018 !
Rajiv Parashar
(I appreciate your feedback. Write at plydata@gmail.com or SMS on 93106 12993)