The market for sandwich panels is experiencing a shortage in steel production as a result of the COVID crisis, which in turn leads to immense price increases. The market in the CEE countries Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland is also affected by this. For 2021, Interconnection Consulting forecasts an increase in market volume in these countries of 32.1%, while sales volume will almost stagnate (+1.7%).

The experts are optimistic that the steel supply crisis will soon be over. A recovery in this regard is expected as early as 2022. The resulting drop in production costs will also lead to rising sales figures. In Poland, prices increased by almost 6% in the last quarter of 2020 alone. At the beginning of 2021, this trend continued at an exponential rate. Overall, Poland, like many other countries, showed a noticeable shortage of labour and reluctance to invest in new construction during the pandemic. This resulted in sandwich panel sales in 2020 falling back down to 2017 levels (-6.4%). By 2022, Interconnection expects a return to the level just before the crisis struck. The slump in the Czech Republic was not quite as severe in 2020, but while sales in Poland have rebounded strongly this year, the decline in the Czech Republic continues at an accelerated pace (-5.0%). The reason for the decline in sales is primarily the price increase for raw materials. The same applies to Slovakia, where sales have fallen by 4% this year.

Eco-Friendlier Materials Sought

Products with higher insulation and fire resistance, (e.g. mineral wool and thicker) are also on the rise due to EU regulations. There could also be a shift towards more ecological, such as halogen-free products, explains Katarina Gajdova, the author of the study. Overall, the study shows that steel dominates the market as a covering material with almost 98 percent. As a filling material, PUR/PIR (panels with synthetic insulation materials) dominate with about two-thirds of the market share. Mineral wool accounts for about one third. Important companies active in the CEE region are Balex Metal, Gor Stal, Kingspan and Ruuki.

31/08/2021

Copyright: Interconnection, Publication free of charge for coverage regarding the study and InterConnection Consulting.