Demand for floor coverings in China is forecast to rise 4.0% per year to 5.2 billion square meters in 2020, a deceleration from the rate of the 2010-15 period but still among the fastest in the world.
Building construction spending is projected to decelerate significantly from the double-digit annual growth posted between 2010 and 2015, though gains will remain solid, boosting floor covering demand.
Motor vehicle production is also expected to post strong growth, further contributing to demand increases. Additionally, rising personal incomes will allow consumers to purchase higher-end floor coverings that were previously unaffordable. These and other trends are presented in Global Flooring Market, 8th Edition, a new study available for US$6,500 from The Freedonia Group, a U.S.-based industry research firm.
In 2015, nonresilient flooring was by far the most popular floor covering in China, accounting for 85% of demand. Ceramic tile is the most frequently used floor covering, as it can be produced very inexpensively. Carpets and rugs represented 8% of floor covering demand in China in 2015, with resilient flooring accounting for the remaining 7%.
Through 2020, the fastest demand growth in China is expected in nonresilient flooring. Laminate flooring, in particular, is expected to post solid gains due to its low cost compared to many other nonresilient flooring types.
Demand for carpets and rugs will post the next fastest growth, benefiting from increasing motor vehicle production in the country. Resilient flooring demand gains will post the slowest, though still strong. These products benefit from their typically lower cost, which makes them an attractive option to many homeowners.