Stopped or throttled back: Europe's flexible foamers face the future

Brussels – Europe's flexible foamers expect production to fall between 30-80% compared to normal conditions over the next few weeks, as the effects of the Coronavirus crisis and national lockdowns hit the industry.

This could cause more plant closures irrespective of national policies, warns EuroPUR in a stark snapshot of the sector.

The association said its survey showed that all the dedicated flexible foam companies supplying the automotive industry are shut. Most Plants supplying furniture and mattress markets are closed in Southern Europe and in the north, operations are much lower than usual.

The companies still operating are focusing output on medical mattresses and on-line sales. 

But EuroPUR warns 'these volumes are nowhere close to compensating production volumes lost for other applications.

'Among companies producing medical mattresses, some are starting to report difficulties in sourcing covers. Some machinery makers are reporting difficulties in sourcing spare parts from countries under lockdown.' 

These shortages are likely to grow along in the coming weeks as 'availability of workforce and more stringent and sever controls on border crossings… could cause delays in shipments.'

EuroPUR surveyed over 30 companies across the continent. This is a snapshot of its findings:

France: all plants closed due of a lack of demand. 

Iberia: some for some medical foam manufacture in Spain is operating. Plants there could be closed until mid-May. Portugal is closed, companies hope to re-open in mid-April.

Turkey: Most PU foam plants are closed until at least 6 April

Italy: The only PU foam plants operating are tied to medical programmes. The rest are shut.

Russia: Closed. On 28 March Russia started a one-week national paid holiday except for the medical sector and plants producing continuously in the chemicals and refining sectors. 

Poland: Demand for exports is 50% of usual and April could be 20% of usual. Plants can operate along as companies take precautionary measures. It is not clear is foam companies will be able to benefit from the country's bailout for firms.

Hungary, Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia all have companies working at much reduced capacity

Greece, the Balkans, Cyprus: operating at much reduced capacity

Romania and Bulgaria: operating at much reduced capacity

Scandinavia and the Baltics. Plants can operate and the reduction in output is less dramatic than in other regions

UK and Ireland: All UK plants are open and operating at reduced capacity. Irish plants are continuing to make medical foams.

Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan: plants are open but running at reduced capacity