Feb 12, 2026
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Waferboard – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
The UK waferboard market declined sharply in 2024, with consumption falling to 347K cubic meters and market value to $146M. Imports also dropped significantly to 414K cubic meters, primarily sourced from Belgium, Germany, and Portugal. Despite recent declines, the market is forecast for a decade-long recovery, projecting a volume of 469K cubic meters and a value of $232M by 2035, driven by rising demand. Import prices rose notably to an average of $439 per cubic meter, while exports remained stable at 67K cubic meters, mainly to Ireland.
Key Findings
UK waferboard consumption fell 27% in 2024 to 347K cubic meters, continuing a multi-year decline from a 2018 peakThe market is forecast to grow at a +2.8% volume CAGR to 469K cubic meters by 2035, with value projected to reach $232M at a +4.3% CAGRImports dropped 24% in 2024 to 414K cubic meters, with Belgium, Germany, and Portugal supplying 73% of the volumeAverage import price surged 21% to $439 per cubic meter in 2024, with Italy being the most expensive supplierExports remained steady at 67K cubic meters, with Ireland as the primary destination receiving 64% of total export volumeMarket Forecast
Driven by rising demand for waferboard in the UK, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +2.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 469K cubic meters by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.3% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $232M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Waferboard
For the third consecutive year, the UK recorded decline in consumption of waferboards, which decreased by -27.1% to 347K cubic meters in 2024. In general, consumption showed a slight setback. Over the period under review, consumption reached the maximum volume at 759K cubic meters in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
The value of the waferboard market in the UK declined to $146M in 2024, which is down by -10% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, the total consumption indicated a slight expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -25.1% against 2021 indices. Waferboard consumption peaked at $210M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Waferboard
Waferboard imports into the UK fell remarkably to 414K cubic meters in 2024, declining by -23.8% compared with 2023 figures. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 30%. Imports peaked at 827K cubic meters in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, waferboard imports contracted to $182M in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 61% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $237M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Imports By Country
Belgium (115K cubic meters), Germany (111K cubic meters) and Portugal (77K cubic meters) were the main suppliers of waferboard imports to the UK, with a combined 73% share of total imports. Spain, Ireland, France, Switzerland and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 20%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Switzerland (with a CAGR of +140.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Germany ($51M), Belgium ($41M) and Portugal ($27M) appeared to be the largest waferboard suppliers to the UK, together comprising 65% of total imports. Spain, Italy, France, Ireland and Switzerland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.
Switzerland, with a CAGR of +134.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average waferboard import price stood at $439 per cubic meter in 2024, picking up by 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a pronounced increase from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, waferboard import price increased by +61.4% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($659 per cubic meter), while the price for Portugal ($352 per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+7.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Waferboard
In 2024, exports of waferboards from the UK dropped modestly to 67K cubic meters, approximately reflecting the year before. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 71% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 109K cubic meters. From 2018 to 2024, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, waferboard exports stood at $36M in 2024. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 45% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $36M. From 2018 to 2024, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.
Exports By Country
Ireland (43K cubic meters) was the main destination for waferboard exports from the UK, with a 64% share of total exports. Moreover, waferboard exports to Ireland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (6.4K cubic meters), sevenfold. Belgium (4.2K cubic meters) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6.3% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Ireland was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+20.0% per year) and Belgium (+3.3% per year).
In value terms, Ireland ($21M) remains the key foreign market for waferboards exports from the UK, comprising 59% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($2.3M), with a 6.5% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 3.5% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Ireland amounted to +2.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+26.0% per year) and the Netherlands (+10.5% per year).
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the average waferboard export price amounted to $537 per cubic meter, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a noticeable increase from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, waferboard export price decreased by -17.7% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $653 per cubic meter in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ireland ($492 per cubic meter), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($225 per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Germany (+5.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform
This report provides a comprehensive view of the waferboard industry in the United Kingdom, tracking demand, supply, and trade flows across the national value chain. It explains how demand across key channels and end-use segments shapes consumption patterns, while also mapping the role of input availability, production efficiency, and regulatory standards on supply.
Beyond headline metrics, the study benchmarks prices, margins, and trade routes so you can see where value is created and how it moves between domestic suppliers and international partners. The analysis is designed to support strategic planning, market entry, portfolio prioritization, and risk management in the waferboard landscape in the United Kingdom.
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Key findings
Domestic demand is shaped by both household and industrial usage, with trade flows linking local supply to imports and exports.
Pricing dynamics reflect unit values, freight costs, exchange rates, and regulatory shifts that affect sourcing decisions.
Supply depends on input availability and production efficiency, creating a distinct national cost curve.
Market concentration varies by segment, creating different competitive landscapes and entry barriers.
The 2035 outlook highlights where capacity investment and demand growth are most aligned within the country.
Report scope
The report combines market sizing with trade intelligence and price analytics for the United Kingdom. It covers both historical performance and the forward outlook to 2035, allowing you to compare cycles, structural shifts, and policy impacts.
Market size and growth in value and volume terms
Consumption structure by end-use segments
Production capacity, output, and cost dynamics
Trade flows, exporters, importers, and balances
Price benchmarks, unit values, and margin signals
Competitive context and market entry conditions
Product coverageProdcom 16211313 – Particle board, of woodCountry coverageCountry profile and benchmarks
This report provides a consistent view of market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for the United Kingdom. The profile highlights demand structure and trade position, enabling benchmarking against regional and global peers.
Methodology
The analysis is built on a multi-source framework that combines official statistics, trade records, company disclosures, and expert validation. Data are standardized, reconciled, and cross-checked to ensure consistency across time series.
International trade data (exports, imports, and mirror statistics)
National production and consumption statistics
Company-level information from financial filings and public releases
Price series and unit value benchmarks
Analyst review, outlier checks, and time-series validation
All data are normalized to a common product definition and mapped to a consistent set of codes. This ensures that comparisons across time are aligned and actionable.
Forecasts to 2035
The forecast horizon extends to 2035 and is based on a structured model that links waferboard demand and supply to macroeconomic indicators, trade patterns, and sector-specific drivers. The model captures both cyclical and structural factors and reflects known policy and technology shifts in the United Kingdom.
Historical baseline: 2012-2025
Forecast horizon: 2026-2035
Scenario-based sensitivity to income growth, substitution, and regulation
Capacity and investment outlook for major producing companies
Each projection is built from national historical patterns and the broader regional context, allowing the report to show where growth is concentrated and where risks are elevated.
Price analysis and trade dynamics
Prices are analyzed in detail, including export and import unit values, regional spreads, and changes in trade costs. The report highlights how seasonality, freight rates, exchange rates, and supply disruptions influence pricing and margins.
Price benchmarks by country and sub-region
Export and import unit value trends
Seasonality and calendar effects in trade flows
Price outlook to 2035 under baseline assumptions
Profiles of market participants
Key producers, exporters, and distributors are profiled with a focus on their operational scale, geographic footprint, product mix, and market positioning. This helps identify competitive pressure points, partnership opportunities, and routes to differentiation.
Business focus and production capabilities
Geographic reach and distribution networks
Cost structure and pricing strategy indicators
Compliance, certification, and sustainability context
How to use this report
Quantify domestic demand and identify the most attractive segments
Evaluate export opportunities and prioritize target destinations
Track price dynamics and protect margins
Benchmark performance against leading competitors
Build evidence-based forecasts for investment decisions
This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, wholesalers, investors, and advisors who need a clear, data-driven picture of waferboard dynamics in the United Kingdom.
FAQ
What is included in the waferboard market in the United Kingdom?
The market size aggregates consumption and trade data, presented in both value and volume terms.
How are the forecasts to 2035 built?
The projections combine historical trends with macroeconomic indicators, trade dynamics, and sector-specific drivers.
Does the report cover prices and margins?
Yes, it includes export and import unit values, regional spreads, and a pricing outlook to 2035.
Which benchmarks are included?
The report benchmarks market size, trade balance, prices, and per-capita indicators for the United Kingdom.
Can this report support market entry decisions?
Yes, it highlights demand hotspots, trade routes, pricing trends, and competitive context.