Global Hardboard Market Overview

The global hardboard market revenue amounted to $6.1B in 2010, coming down by -2.4% 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). Over the period under review, hardboard consumption continues to indicate an abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 with an increase of 1.3% year-to-year. The global hardboard consumption peaked at $7B in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2010, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, hardboard production amounted to $6.1B in 2010 estimated in export prices. Overall, hardboard production continues to indicate a deep drop. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2009 with an increase of 1.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global hardboard production attained its peak figure level at $8B in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2010, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of hardboard production in 2010 were China (3.3M cubic meters), Belgium (1.7M cubic meters) and Germany (1.7M cubic meters), together comprising 61% of global production. These countries were followed by the U.S., Russia, Brazil, Malaysia, Portugal, Canada and Turkey, which together accounted for a further 20%.

From 2007 to 2010, the most notable rate of growth in terms of hardboard production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Malaysia, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2010, approx. 11M cubic meters of hardboard were consumed worldwide; approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period under review, hardboard consumption continues to indicate a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2009 when consumption volume increased by 3.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global hardboard consumption attained its peak figure volume at 12M cubic meters in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2010, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global hardboard market revenue amounted to $6.1B in 2010, reducing by -2.4% 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). Over the period under review, hardboard consumption continues to indicate a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2009 when the market value increased by 1.3% year-to-year. The global hardboard consumption peaked at $7B in 2007; however, from 2008 to 2010, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of hardboard consumption in 2010 were China (3M cubic meters), Belgium (1.6M cubic meters) and the U.S. (952K cubic meters), with a combined 51% share of global consumption. These countries were followed by Russia, Germany, Brazil, Turkey, Malaysia, Canada and Portugal, which together accounted for a further 21%.

From 2007 to 2010, the most notable rate of growth in terms of hardboard consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Malaysia (+52.6% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($1.7B), Belgium ($953M) and the U.S. ($547M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2010, together accounting for 53% of the global market. These countries were followed by Germany, Russia, Brazil, Malaysia, Turkey, Canada and Portugal, which together accounted for a further 19%.

Portugal (+59.0% per year) recorded the highest growth rate of hardboard market, among the main consuming countries over the last three years, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2010, the highest levels of hardboard per capita consumption was registered in Belgium (148 cubic meters per 1000 persons), followed by Portugal (16 cubic meters per 1000 persons), Malaysia (7.36 cubic meters per 1000 persons) and Canada (5.49 cubic meters per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of hardboard was estimated at 1.58 cubic meters per 1000 persons.

In Belgium, hardboard per capita consumption plunged by an average annual rate of -20.1% over the period from 2007-2010. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Portugal (+46.7% per year) and Malaysia (+49.8% per year).

Driven by rising demand for hardboard worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next fifteen-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.5% for the fifteen-year period from 2010 to 2025, which is projected to bring the market volume to 14M cubic meters by the end of 2025.