CLEVELAND - Demand for wood-protection coatings and preservatives is forecast to increase 2.7 percent per year to $3.0 billion in 2009, despite a challenging market environment. Continued weakness in the key siding market is prompting coatings manufacturers to place greater emphasis on growing applications such as cabinets and flooring. In addition, demand will benefit from upgrading, steady production of pressure-treated lumber, and solid levels of construction-related repair and improvement spending.

These and other trends are presented in Wood Protection Coatings & Preservatives, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industrial market research firm.

In markets such as siding and windows and doors, wood has sustained substantial losses to alternative materials, in particular plastics. However, opportunities for growth still exist based in part on the favorable qualities of wood (e.g., high aesthetic and insulating value), and protective coatings and preservatives will play an important role in future market success.

In general, demand for wood-protection coatings and preservatives will achieve the most favorable gains in interior wood applications, such as flooring and cabinets. Flooring and cabinet production will be promoted by growth in repair and improvement spending, as the purchase of these items is common during remodeling activity. In order to maintain wood's position in interior applications, wood-coating suppliers will strive to develop product lines that feature a wider range of colors, improved efficiency and enhanced durability. However, the longevity of interior wood limits gains in coatings demand, as maintenance requirements are infrequent.

In exterior applications, wood will continue to suffer losses to competitive materials, resulting in an extremely difficult market environment for suppliers of wood-protection coatings and preservatives, especially as high maintenance requirements are a key factor in wood's gradual market losses. This is especially the case in siding, where the use of wood-based products continues to decline. However, demand for maintenance coatings will continue to be supported by the large installed base of wood housing and decks. Demand will also be boosted by the greater use of higher-value coatings, featuring enhanced durability, greater ease of use and easier cleanup.

The report, "Wood Protection Coatings & Preservatives," (published 01/2006, 289 pages) is available for purchase from The Freedonia Group, Inc. Contact Corinne Gangloff by phone at 440/684.9600, e-mail pr@freedoniagroup.com or visit www.freedoniagroup.com/ (link below).

Links

• E-mail pr@freedoniagroup.com
• The Freedonia Group, Inc.