Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Middle East Foam & Polyurethane
  • UTECH Asia/PU China
  • UTECH Europe
  • UTECH Las Americas
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Ukraine
  • News
    • Asia
    • Americas
    • Europe
    • M & A
    • Financial results
    • Automotive
  • Data
  • Information
    • Country Overview
    • Market Sector overviews
    • Technical articles
    • Company profiles and strategies
  • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Conferences
    • Webinars / Livestreams
    • Become a Speaker
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Issues
  • Subscribe
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
March 31, 2020 04:46 PM

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

Simon Robinson
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    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

    Recommended for You
    Joerg Palmersheim at Polyurethanes Technical Conference
    Isopa: Reach regulations could extend to all isocyanates
    Stepan gains its first ISCC Plus certification
    Stepan gains its first ISCC Plus certification
    Foamer Eagle Industries issues Warn notice of potential layoffs
    Foamer Eagle Industries issues Warn notice of potential layoffs
    Latest Issue
    urethanes technology
    Get the latest edition here
    View All Archives
    Get our newsletters

    Breaking news and in-depth coverage of essential topics delivered straight to your inbox.

    Subscribe today

    Register to access our archive of leading information on the polyurethanes industry.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube

    Follow us on social media for the latest polyurethanes industry news and event updates.

    Logo
    Contact Us

    Crain Communications
    11, Ironmonger Lane
    London
    EC2V 8EY
    United Kingdom

    Editorial
    Phone +44 (0) 20 3287 5935
    Email click to send

    Customer Service
    Phone +1 313 446 0450
    Email click to send

    Resources
    • Advertise with Us
    • Media Kit
    • Staff
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Ukraine
    • News
      • Asia
      • Americas
      • Europe
      • M & A
      • Financial results
      • Automotive
    • Data
    • Information
      • Country Overview
      • Market Sector overviews
      • Technical articles
      • Company profiles and strategies
    • Events
      • Exhibitions
      • Conferences
      • Webinars / Livestreams
      • Become a Speaker
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Issues
    • Subscribe