Particle board of wood market in the United States, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Following a peak in 2017, the US particle board market adjusted from 2018 as stringent formaldehyde emission regulations under TSCA Title VI and CARB standards, effective June 2018, required changes in manufacturing and labeling. This contributed to a dip in domestic production, which fell to 3 853 thousand cubic meters by 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic that year initially disrupted construction and furniture spending, reducing market volume to 4 341 thousand cubic meters, though it later stimulated demand for home improvement projects.

A strong recovery emerged in 2021, with production surging 23% to 4 732 thousand cubic meters and market volume reaching 5 558 thousand cubic meters, driven by sustained DIY activity and growing consumer preference for eco-friendly, low-formaldehyde products. Over the next two years, production stabilized around 4 500 thousand cubic meters while market volume gradually eased to 5 007 thousand cubic meters by 2023, influenced by fluctuations in imports. The industry continued adopting sustainable practices like recycled wood content and low-emission adhesives, though rising methanol prices began affecting production costs.

Entering 2024, the market saw strategic investments such as Boise Cascade's $140 million expansion in engineered wood and Kronospan's acquisition of a particleboard facility in Oregon, signaling industry modernization. New testing and certification rules for laminated products, enforced from March 22, 2024, added compliance requirements, while California's SB 1383 waste diversion law began channeling demolition wood into furnish streams. The closure of the Memphis cellulose mill affected raw material supply for some producers, and growth in the packaging sector supported demand for particle board as a sustainable alternative.

Production particle board of wood in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, the United States ranked 6th globally in particle board of wood production.

Top producers of particle board of wood, 2017-2020

World map of production of particle board of wood, 2017-2020

Particle board of wood production in the United States declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 853 K m³, marking a 2.3% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 165 K m³, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.4% drop. The largest increase was seen in 2018 at 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Exports particle board of wood from the United States

Exports in kind, K m³

The export market for particle board of wood in the United States experienced significant fluctuations during this period. In 2020, exports reached 558 K m³, representing a 53.5% increase from the previous year. The lowest point was in 2018 at 114 K m³, which saw the largest decline of 56.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 217.9%. From 2018 to 2020, exports varied by a factor of 4.9 between their peak and trough.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada and Mexico served as the primary markets for U.S. particle board of wood exports, together accounting for 97.1% of total volume, while other destinations held relatively minor shares.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of particle board of wood from the United States increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 115.9 M $ US, up 17.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 41.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, U.S. particle board of wood exports in value terms were predominantly directed toward Canada and Mexico, which together accounted for 96.6% of total flows, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports particle board of wood to the United States

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2020, particle board of wood imports into the United States totaled 1 046 K m³, a 12.7% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 17.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 948 K m³, which also saw the largest decline of 25.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 26.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada consistently represented 73.1% of total particle board of wood imports into the United States by volume, indicating a high concentration on this market, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of particle board of wood imports into the United States reached 306.8 M $ US, reflecting a solid decrease of 11.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 5.1%, with an annualized rate of -1.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 347.3 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 10.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, Canada accounted for 76.7% of total particle board of wood imports into the United States in value terms, with the remaining flows spread across multiple smaller partners.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020