Indian decorative laminates demand is witnessing a product bombardment where pricy designs and good quality materials are being offered in lesser thickness just to escape the competition. In this process, around 30 companies have entered in market with better design offerings in 0.8 mm in last two years. On the top of it the stagnant market of 1 mm laminates and cheaper copy in 0.9 category has made the R & D cost unviable. The effect of slow movement in 1.0 mm and pace in lower thicknesses has forced plate makers to aim for designing 0.8 mm category whose market share has grown sharply in just 3 years.
As a result, the HPL manufacturing capacity is rapidly increasing year on year and it is in a way bringing all those designs which were offered at better prices. The growing demand of 0.8 mm laminates in smaller and rural market is helping these new - comers to grab some share in this competitive market. Mid and small size decorative laminates producers based in northern India are more focused to smaller and tier three cities with attractive designs, texture and colors.
Ply Reporter estimates that 0.8 mm laminates and laminated doors demand is doubled in last 4 years due to increasing supply and aggressive design offerings. Even some branded laminates producers, which are more inclined towards 1.0 mm laminates are now forced to offer a decent catalogue in 0.8 mm category. The press moulds producers are fully serving this need and are aggressively focusing on such designs leaving 1.0 mm segment needs on back seat. The texture and gloss moulds to cater in present market scenario are largely being met by 0.8 mould made laminates.
The press moulds companies of China and India are offering more options in 0.8 mm laminate segment due to consistent flow of demand. The inclination of market trend indicates that 0.8laminate demand is here to stay and the new launches of moulds are now coming not only to 1.0 mm but in 0.8 mm.