The output value of China’s timber processing and wood products industries in 2018 was RMB1.3 trillion, accounting for 17% of the total output value of China forestry sector.

Wood-based panel industry

There are about 10,000 wood-based panel enterprises with 3 million direct and indirect employees in China. The total output of the national wood-based panel sector was almost 300 million cubic metres in 2018, a year-on-year increase of 1.4%. Twenty five provinces in the country have wood-based panel enterprises of which production the capacity in seven provinces exceeded 10 million cubic metres.

The wood-based panel sector in China has undergone transformation and out-dated production methods have been phase-out. More than 3,000 plywood enterprises have been closed across the whole country and around 600 fibreboard plants have ceased operation along with over 1,000 particleboard plants. The number of large and medium-sized wood-based panel enterprises has increased and the technological base has been strengthened. The application of new low-toxicity or non-toxic environment friendly adhesives has accelerated and the quality of output has improved.