Particle boards
Particle board is the wood product with the highest demand in Serbia. It is generated by the market–driven growth in high–quality furniture production. Serbian furniture producers make more than 100,000 m3 particle boards annually. Even though large quantities of utilizable wood waste are available and the demand generated by the furniture industry for particle boards is very high, this demand is not met by an increase in domestic production, but rather by large imports of particle board into Serbia.
Since particle boards are high in demand on the domestic as well as neighboring markets, this represents a significant and highly profitable investment opportunity. One of these opportunities is the particle board factory SPIK Ivanjica. It was established in the town of Ivanjica, in the heart of the region with easy access to raw materials. Being that this was a large company, it was divided into 4 entities which are presently in the process of privatization.

Plywood and Veneer
Over the past 15 years, veneer and plywood production have been slowly declining for two reasons. First veneer in Serbia was produced by state owned companies, which are now being privatized. Secondly, “veneer quality” logs have generally been exported, rather than processed locally and then exported as a higher–value product.
Currently, peeled veneer makes up about 90% of the total veneer production, out of this peeled poplar veneer is the leading product, while the rest is mainly beech. Other, more significant veneer presently produced in Serbia is beech, oak, ash and walnut veneer.
Poplar and beech are primarily used species for the manufacture of plywood boards which are mainly utilized in furniture and packaging production. Produced in 3 companies the total plywood production capacity is 10,000 m3 annually with main export markets being Italy, Germany, Macedonia and Hungary.

Hardboard
In terms of volume, hardboard is the main fiberboard product in Serbia. The production of hardboard has
fluctuated significantly in the past. After a drastic decline by 61% in 1999, production started to increase in 2000 and has been on the rise since. Today, hardboard is produced solely at Kuršumlija A.D. in Southern Serbia.
Although produced at only one location, its capacity is over 40,000 m3 annually. Raw hardboard dominates domestic hardboard production which has been used in door manufacturing, while improved hardboard is imported, mainly from Hungary and Germany.

Solid wood boards
There has been a significant increase in the production of solid laminated wood board. Produced mainly from beech these products are ranked with A/B quality and with annual production of 14,000 m3. Edge–glued panels for stairs, tables and furniture parts are predominantly produced.
The expansion of small, privately owned companies, especially in Central Serbia, has generated a substantial increase in the export of solid wood boards. Main export markets are Germany and Italy.

For more information, contact us at: info@serbianfurniture.org