Czech Republic: Consumption of expanded polystyrene (EPS) fell by 6.8% year-on-year to 57,900t in 2016 from 62,100t in 2015. The decrease was caused by a decline of the domestic construction sector said the Czech EPS Association, according to the Czech News Agency (CTK). Local building output fell by 5.9% in 2016 according to the Czech Statistical Office (CSU).
"The decrease is being caused mainly by lengthy building permit proceedings in our country. In comparison with Germany or Austria, building permit proceedings in the Czech Republic take more than twice as long," said insulation association chairman Pavel Zemene.
Around 85% of the total EPS consumption in the country is used in the construction sector, and 50% is used for building insulation.
