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.'