countertops

Demand for residential kitchen and bath countertops in China is forecast to increase 7.3 percent annually to 92.2 million square meters in 2010, valued at ¥26.7 billion. Advances will be driven by continued strong growth in new housing completions and kitchen and bath remodeling expenditures. The ongoing trend toward larger kitchens and more bathrooms in new construction will further contribute to gains. The big story in the countertop industry has been the meteoric rise of solid surface as the material of choice in China. In 2000, solid surface materials represented only three percent of all newly installed residential countertops. By 2010, demand for solid surface countertops will exceed 45 million square meters, accounting for nearly half the total. Gains for solid surface countertops will be fueled by declining prices coupled with the material' s durability, renewability, attractive appearance and minimal maintenance. Demand for engineered stone, another newly introduced and fast growing countertop material, will grow to 2.7 million square meters in 2010, valued at ¥2.2 billion.