OSB market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The OSB market volume in Germany fluctuated between 2018 and 2024, starting at 1 586 thousand m³ in 2018. The high initial volume was supported by strong demand from the construction and packaging sectors, where OSB was increasingly used as a substitute for plywood. Regulatory measures, such as the prohibition of emission class E2 wood-based materials, also shaped material requirements. However, market volume dipped to 1 426 thousand m³ in 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to lockdowns and construction suspensions, yet the market volume recovered to 1 577 thousand m³ that year. Subsequently, from 2021 to 2023, the market contracted, reaching 1 219 thousand m³. During this period, major investments were made, including West Fraser's acquisition of an OSB plant in South Carolina in 2021, Georgia-Pacific's $40 million investment in an OSB facility in 2022, and Egger Group's approximately $64.7 million capacity expansion in Germany in 2023. Regulatory focus on low-emission products and formaldehyde-free OSB, such as Swiss Krono's 100% formaldehyde-free bonding, continued to shape the industry.

In 2024, the market volume rebounded to 1 323 thousand m³. This growth aligned with technological advances in production automation and sensing, which improved quality and efficiency, as well as sustained demand for sustainable and formaldehyde-free OSB products. Regulatory frameworks in Germany and the EU further promoted environmentally friendly building materials.

Production OSB in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's OSB output was valued at 320.4 million US dollars, remaining virtually unchanged from 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, M m³

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked as the world's fifth-largest producer of OSB.

Top producers of OSB, 2017-2020

World map of production of OSB, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, OSB production in Germany increased in 2020, reaching 1.2 million cubic meters, which is 6.1% higher than in 2019. However, between 2019 and 2020, production actually decreased by 16.7%, translating to an annualized rate of 5.9%. The peak production was recorded in 2017 at 1.5 million cubic meters, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M m³

Exports OSB from Germany

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Germany exported 511.5 thousand cubic meters of OSB, marking a 3.2% decrease year-over-year. The highest export volume was in 2019 at 528.7 thousand cubic meters, which also saw the largest increase of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's OSB exports in kind were widely dispersed across partner countries. The Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland accounted for 13.5%, 13.5%, and 11.2% of exports, respectively, totaling only 38.2% of the overall flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's cross-border shipments of OSB declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, with exports totaling 136.3 million US dollars, an 8.2% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 2.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 161.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 21.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of Germany's OSB exports in value terms was highly diversified. Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland contributed 14.3%, 12.3%, and 11.7% of exports, respectively, together making up only 38.3% of total flows. The remaining 61.7% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports OSB to Germany

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2020, Germany's OSB import volume amounted to 854.4 thousand cubic meters, a 7.9% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 12.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 10.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Throughout 2017-2020, Czechia, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg played leading roles in Germany's OSB imports in kind, accounting for 48.4%, 18.9%, and 12.4% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 79.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's OSB imports reached 235.4 million US dollars, a 2.9% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 24.3%, with an annualized rate of 7.5%. The peak value was in 2018 at 261.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 38.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg consistently remained the main sources for Germany's OSB imports in value terms, contributing 48.0%, 19.2%, and 13.3% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 80.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020