A new study by market information provider RISI said additional OSB capacity in the US will come from mills being re-opened, the expansion of current sites and from new mills. It said 4.5 billion ft2 in additional capacity is expected to come on line next year.
"Since the collapse of the US housing market a significant amount of OSB capacity has been idled. The recent recovery is now driving up demand both cyclically and seasonally. As capacity is added additional woodfibre will be needed," said senior economist for wood products David Fortin.
"The US pellet export market is developing at the same time that OSB production is ratcheting up and will have implications for woodfibre demand and ultimately prices."
