Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

The OSB (oriented strand board) market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.21% during the forecast period. 

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is an engineered wood-based panel consisting of wood strands. This is bonded with a synthetic resin, and the strands are pressed together into layers. It is made from small pieces of wood aligned to run in different directions. The major driving factor for the OSB is the building construction industry. It is widely used for flooring, flat roof decking, and wall sheathing.

Additionally, it is driven by the growing use of OSB in the manufacturing of furniture, which is in demand in the economies of Asia Pacific and Africa. Further, with the growing e-commerce business industry, the need for packaging materials is growing, and they have applications in packaging and crating. Carton boards are often made from oriented strand boards for sustainability and robustness.

• According to the data from Germany, the construction of 24,500 dwellings was permitted in Germany, with a total turnover of €344,9 bn. The estimated building costs of residential and non-residential buildings in the country were about 112 billion EUR in 2023.
• The growth in the construction industry would lead to increased demand for OSB and overall raw materials in the sector. Construction spending in the United States increased by 6.37% in 2023 compared to 2022. This growth gives the potential of the industry.
• The gross value added to the construction sector in the EU was 5.4% in 2021 and 5.5% in 2022. In the EU, 5.9% of GDP was invested in housing in 2022.
• In the European Union, OSB production increased by 2.1% from the previous year to 6.6 million m3 in 2023, according to the European Panel Federation.

ORIENTED STRAND BOARD MARKET DRIVERS:

Growing demand from the residential sector

The growth in the construction industry is due to the growing urbanization around the world and the growing economic development in different parts of the world. A significant part of the development of construction goes towards building houses, parks, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, schools, etc. for the population. These increased urban population setups needed different varieties of buildings, including major residential buildings. The application of OSB is growing in the industry due to its numerous advantages.

Several residential property sales in England and Wales in 2023 were 978,006, and in 2022 were 771,850. This high number indicates the industry dynamics influencing the market's overall growth. According to the  European Panel Federation, 76% of the OSB manufactured is used in construction and residential production. 5% of OSB is used for flooring, and 3% in the manufacturing of types of furniture. The relatively large application of OSB in the construction industry, thus indicates the growth in the construction industry would increase its application.

As the growing substitute for other products

The diverse advantages of an oriented strand board would lead to the growth in demand for the product. OSB has a high mechanical property, which is suitable for load-bearing applications in construction and is widely used for flooring, roof decking, and wall sheathing. Different grades of the product are available for different levels of loading and different environmental conditions. Large quantities of OSB are also used for sarking and industrial packaging. The application of OSB with precision-engineered quality can have the same applications and loading conditions as plywood, thus making it a better price substitute.

Other applications of OSB include furniture frames, decorative wall paneling, shelving, packaging, crating, pallet manufacture, dry storage pallets, wooden application substitutes, and industrial tabletops.

Rising demand for sustainable products

Oriented strand board has a very low environmental impact compared to plywood. It is manufactured from small-diameter trees, thus having very little negative impact on the environment.  These trees are fast-growing and smaller in size, which makes them environment-friendly. The manufacturing process of OSB makes it stronger and more durable, with fewer soft spots than plywood. The OSB  is suitable for hot climates, increasing the structure's energy efficiency.

If a tighter seal is applied during a construction sealing process, it can prevent heat transfer in winter and summer, helping maintain comfort levels year-round. The OSB wrap product offered by Tilson Homes can act as a layer that helps prevent heat transfer and limits airborne noise caused by joint leaks, gaps, or voids.

Oriented Strand Board Market Geographical Outlook

The Asia Pacific region will dominate the OSB (oriented strand board) market during the forecast period.

It is anticipated that the OSB market will progress largely in the Asia Pacific owing to factors such as a rise in urbanization, infrastructure projects, and growing economic activities, particularly in China, India, and most countries within the Southeast Asia region.

OSB is widely used in the region due to its long span, cost efficacy, and capacity to meet stringent environmental requirements. Improvements in manufacturing techniques would also help the OSB applications of the product in the Asia Pacific region.

The Manufacturing Industries exports of India are likely to cross $1 Trillion by 2030, with the help of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu states leading in the industrial growth. This leads to government campaigns like Make in India and PLI projects that help grow the industries and enhance the industrialist infrastructure.? According to the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI), India was expected to be the world's fifth-largest manufacturer and fourth-largest furniture consumer (2022). The Indian furniture market was valued at US$ 23.12 billion in 2022, and it is predicted to rise at a CAGR of 10.9% to reach US$ 32.7 billion by 2026 (according to TPCI). The application of OSB  is widely expanding in furniture manufacturing worldwide due to its advantages over other materials and environmental benefits.

Oriented strand board (OSB) market restraints:

• OSB is prone to decay from biological microorganisms, such as fungi. Zinc borate and oxine copper are sprayed as fungicides to enhance the resistance to biological deterioration. This material is not applied where there is a direct contact of the moisture source. OSB is hygroscopic; hence, its dimensions change in response to a change in humidity. 1% change in moisture content increases or decreases the length, width, and thickness of the different grades of OSB. Further, OSB  is not the best choice under heavy flooring like ceramic or stone tile, being lighter than other materials.

Oriented strand board market key developments:

• In December 2023, Kronospan announced the purchase of Roseburg’s Simsboro, Louisiana, particleboard facility following the expiration of the required regulatory review period. Ownership of the plant has been transferred from Roseburg to Kronospan. Simsboro particleboard facility would increase Kronospan’s wood panel production in North America. This acquisition would make the particleboard and TFL markets better for future customers.
• In April 2023, Kronospan announced that it would begin constructing a new, Oriented Strand Board manufacturing plant on its 460-acre site in Oxford, Alabama. This new facility employed 125 associates and had 44 acres of new development, including substantial areas designated for product storage, rail spur, and loading docks. It costs about USD 350 million. This facility would expand the company's portfolio of wood panel products in the United States. It is built based on sustainability principles.
• In June 2023, Huber Engineered Woods LLC (HEW), a subsidiary of J.M. Huber Corporation and specialty building products manufacturer, announced that it has plans to build a new oriented strand board facility in Noxubee County, Mississippi. This plant increased the company’s production of ZIP System® and AdvanTech® structural panels. The manufacturing facility would provide over 150 direct new jobs to Noxubee County and surrounding areas. It is located on approximately 550 acres. It would have the advanced processes and technologies available for manufacturing operations.
• In May 2023, Huber Resources Corp. announced the acquisition of certain assets of Compass Land Consultants, Inc. This would expand HRC’s and Sewall Forestry and Natural Resources Consulting's business globally in key service areas, including timberland management, timberland appraisals, forest inventory management, and forest modeling.

The oriented strand board market is segmented and analyzed as follows:

By Grade          

   

• OSB/1
• OSB/2
• OSB/3
• OSB/4

By Application

• Floor And Roof
• Wall
• Door
• Column And Beam
• Staircase
• Crates
• Pallets
• Shipping Containers
• Other Construction Parts

By End-User Industry

• Furniture
• Construction
• Packaging

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of South America
• Europe
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Rest of the Middle East and Africa
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Rest of Asia-Pacific