Freedonia Group Research Firm Puts Out ‘World Countertops’ Report

The Freedonia Group, a research firm, has released a new report titled “World Countertops.” The 430-page research compilation predicts global countertop demand will rise 4.2 percent per year to more than 5.4 billion sq. ft. in 2018. According to the release, the increase is attributed to improved building construction activity throughout the world and modernization of developing areas that are constructing numerous structures, both housing units and nonresidential, to accommodate the needs of growing populations. The report also states that in 2013 solid surface accounted for more than 40 percent of countertop demand in China, and the Asia/Pacific region accounted for 47 percent of world demand, the largest market for countertops that same year. This trend is expected through 2018. It also lays claim that while laminate made up almost half of all countertop surfaces in the United States in 2013, only 2 percent of countertops were laminate in China.

Regarding North America, the report states that it was the second largest countertop market and that gains will continue because of continued recovery in U.S. building construction and growth in single-family housing completions.

Western Europe is also expected to benefit from rebounds in new housing construction turning around the declines experienced from 2008 to 2013.

You may also be interested in this countertops industry forecast put out by ISFA.