With boom in real estate in 2001-07, the construction activities was needed large quantities of Glossy fi nished shuttering ply to obtain smooth & even cement surface, column fi nish. During this period, the demand grew, and requirement of fi lm faced shuttering picked up momentum. North base Ply industry jumped in it, slowly North emerged as a hub for Film faced ply. Today North alone list around 100 shuttering ply establishments other than being produced in states like Kerala, UP, Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan and even in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. With growing awareness, Film face it is reaching to small cities and rural markets too. Despite of substitute e.g MS sheets, Aluminum Formwork, Plastic sheets, Timber planks etc., ease in availability, finish, light weight and versatile usage of Film face plywood makes it a sustainably growing product in the country. Film face plywood is an important material whose demand is synched with the momentum in real estate. Unfortunately, Film face ply has become a commodity grade material just because, the informal sector has major role where KG is the judgement factor not the brand or quality.
The ply Reporter believes, with an estimation of around Rs 4600 to 5000 cr of annual market size, India’s Film faced plywood market will be sustainably growing and irreplaceable product category which will be fi rst to turn in to formal business practice product from plywood product bucket in next two-three years. Game changer GST will boost formal sector growth in this segment that will help this sector to scale up for further growth. Film face ply manufacturing has many positives because it helps in consuming maximum portion of timber because it is made of full core and short core both. Lately quality is deteriorating and so is the drop-in smoothness and glossy surface. Now, if producers want to grow further in this category, they must concern about their quality, look and fi nish of the product. Since fi lm face plywood category lacks Brand identity and knowledge on testing practices, this product is running as commodity which may run in risk if undesired over supply and informal business practices continue for long. The advice is to keep focus on quality commitment and maintain the customers trust.
This July issue, features One 2 One interaction of Visionary industry leader ‘Mr. Sajjan Bhajanka, Chairman, Century Ply’ whose views on the future of Plywood and alternate panels, is a worth read for all, be it any individual from the industry or trade. A Special Cover Story on ‘Gabon: As an emerging hub for veneer and plywood manufacturing’ would be a knowledge based experience for readers in this issue. It has been made post week long Gabon tour by team Ply Reporter. Apart from these, lots of reports related to timber price hike, opening of License for Ply-peeling units in UP, high raw material costs affecting margins, etc are published with many happenings in wood panel sector.