Asphalt and bitumen articles market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for asphalt and bitumen articles, measured in value, grew from $602 million in 2020 to $796 million in 2022. This increase was driven by continued investment in recycling technologies and sustainable asphalt products, as well as rising bitumen and energy prices that lifted the market's monetary value.

In 2023, the market value fell sharply to $639 million, primarily due to a wave of bankruptcies in the main construction sector which reduced demand for road-building materials while bitumen prices remained volatile.

A partial recovery occurred in 2024, with the market reaching $688 million. This rebound came despite a decline in production volumes, as bitumen prices rose again and new road traffic regulations that prioritize cycling and pedestrian traffic began to indirectly influence road construction needs.

Production asphalt and bitumen articles in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports asphalt and bitumen articles from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Germany's exports of asphalt and bitumen articles showed an increase. In 2020, exports reached 143.8 K t, marking a modest 7.0% year-over-year growth. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 20.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 7.4%. The lowest point was in 2019, with exports at 134.4 K t, and the sharpest drop occurred that same year, at 19.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of asphalt and bitumen articles in kind were distributed relatively evenly across partners. Switzerland accounted for 19.9% of exports, Poland for 15.3%, and the United Kingdom for 11.2%. Together, these three countries made up 46.4% of total flows, with no single partner dominating the market.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's export value for asphalt and bitumen articles stood at 125.1 M $ US, showing a slight increase of 2.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5.7%, averaging an annual decline of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 121.7 M $ US, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 147.6 M $ US. The largest decline was in 2019 at 17.6%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the distribution of Germany's asphalt and bitumen articles exports in value terms remained diverse. Switzerland contributed 16.3% of exports, the United Kingdom 14.7%, and Poland 13.3%. Combined, these three partners represented 44.3% of total flows, with no clear leader emerging among them.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports asphalt and bitumen articles to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of asphalt and bitumen articles in kind declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 113.9 K t, down 0.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 20.4%, with an average annual decrease of 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the key sources for Germany's imports of asphalt and bitumen articles in kind were Belarus, Slovakia, and Czechia. Belarus accounted for 21.4% of imports, Slovakia for 16.4%, and Czechia for 14.4%. Together, these three countries made up 52.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, Germany's import value for asphalt and bitumen articles saw an uptick. In 2020, imports amounted to 68.9 M $ US, remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.4%, with an annualized decline of 4.7%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 68.8 M $ US, and the largest drop occurred in 2018 at 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017-2020, Germany's imports of asphalt and bitumen articles in value terms came from a wide range of markets. Even the top destinations—Italy, Slovakia, and Czechia—collectively accounted for only 37.5% of total imports, highlighting the fragmented nature of the supply.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020