ANALYSIS: Metal profiles local market stabilization at 250 million EUR

The metal profiles and sandwich panels local market, estimated around 250 million EUR per year, has shifted on a slightly downward trend in the first six months of this year according to most operators in the area, due to the decrease of demand on the industrial market. However, the related businesses of the specialized operators reported relevant increases due to the growth of demand for steel buildings since the month of April. In what concerns the outlook for the current year, the companies representatives avoid making predictions, most hoping, however, for a stabilization at the level recorded during last year. If the forecasts for the halls and metal tiles providers are of stagnation in the most optimistic scenario, the situation is somewhat better for the segment of thermal insulating panels, which is further supported by the demand from abroad. The Romanian panels manufacturers have developed export operations since 2011, and the level of delieveries abroad has increased annually since then. The sandwich panels segment was estimated at about 80.7 million EUR in 2012 corresponding to 5.5 million square feet, slightly up in comparison with the previous 12 months. According to the data from the field the business is expected to stabilize at the level of last year. However, according to an analysis published by Neomar Consulting, the imports of sandwich panels registered a more pronounced decline, decreasing by about 12% in terms of quantity, the difference being taken over by the rapidly increasing local production. Moreover, the year 2012 marked an increase of Romanian exports of systems, that recorded an advance of 25% in comparison with the previous year. According to Adrian Porfir, the manager of Megaprofil, one of the leading local suppliers of sandwich panels, "the development engine for the society was represented by exports, which recorded an increase of over 65%, mainly due to delieveries abroad of polyurethane panels." The market operators estimate a growth trend for the exports in 2013, although the latter will have a more moderate pace. The downward trend that has characterized the market in the first six months of this year would be recovered, thus, in the second semester.