Half a dozen of new MDF line queries have been doing rounds in machinery circles. According to latest reports two mid-sized Continuous rolling lines are reportedly confirmed to be given order to China machinery manufacturers from North India. These lines produce MDF boards in tune to 350 cubic meters per day where as multi daylight presses produce around 180- 250 cbm per day at maximum.
During recently held exhibition in Bangalore, the China based machinery suppliers were seen optimistic about new orders from India. Talking to the The Ply Reporter, Chinese MDF production lines suppliers hinted that they are on the way closing deal to receive orders from Northern India which will be certainly conti-roll of 350 plus capacity. The suppliers were also hopeful of closing another 2-3 lines orders from Gujarat and Southern India where negotiations were running on the final stage.
The European MDF machinery supplying companies too are equally confident about the new MDF line orders of 600 cbm per day or bigger capacity plants in India in coming time. Speaking to the The Ply Reporter’s correspondent, they expected Rs 2500 crores new investments in MDF sector during next two years. Seeing the present trend for investment in Panel manufacturing, we at Ply Reporter have estimated a huge MDF production capacity growth of reaching to 10000 cubic meters per day by 2021. Sources in business circles confirmed that two big capacity manufacturing lines (above 600 cbm) are expected to make arrival in South India shortly but the players are from non-plywood background.
With commencement of production of two new plants in India the MDF capacity is set to reach 4500 CBM per day by the end of FY 2018-19. Action Tesa and Shirdi Industries expansion in MDF plants in Uttarakhand and Green Panelmax and Rushil Decor new plant in South India shall also be pushing the market expansion in coming years of 2019 and 2020, but there is looming possibility of a price war to begin in second half of 2018.