The Indian flexible plywood demand is largely met by imports. Almost 90% of the flexi consumption comes from manufacturers based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Burma. But lately the Flexi Plywood market is witnessing supply crunch. Since a few months the supply line is very narrow due topartial shutdown of flexible plywood factories as well as their inclination to supply to US and western markets. The flexi ply prices have also been continuously rising with escalating cost of timbers and increasing demands. The base ply prices which are used in decorative are hovering at 1000 $, due to material availability and the same is visible in flexi plywood space as well.
An importer said, that main reason behind flexi un availability at supplier’s end. They prefer to produce thicker materials that fetch them higher price and volumes. Imports of Gurjan based flexi ply meet around 80% of India’s need but It does not seems to be available before April-may now. Once the demands ease up and manufacturing are restored, things will be slowly crawl back hopes key import players.
According to unconfirmed reports, India market buy around 60 containers of flexi ply the shortage is opening barely 10 containers arrival. Importers have been identifying new suppliers in Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar for their India’s market requirement but found no new interests.
Indian interior contractors use Flexi Plywood for many curvatures shaped interior work and furniture and largely sold through big retail counters or selected wholesellers. To meet the supply balance a few of Indian producers in Bengal, Kandla, and in North India try making it, but suitable wood like that are used in Malaysia, Indonesia need to be explored and focused upon. This 1300 $ items could be a support, if right product is created here. The shortage of Flexi Ply might give opportunities to Indian Plywood manufacturers, if they can start production locally.