Automatic circuit breakers market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the German automatic circuit breaker market experienced fluctuations. Production reached USD 1 139 million in 2018, supported by demand from state-owned companies like E-ON and TenneT investing in grid expansion for renewable energy. However, production fell to USD 970 million in 2019, while market size grew to USD 559 million, aided by the entry of new manufacturers from India and elsewhere increasing competitive supply. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain disruptions for semiconductors and components, leading to a drop in production to USD 880 million and a contraction of the market to USD 495 million.

Recovery began in 2021 as production rose to USD 1 020 million and market size expanded to USD 614 million. This growth was driven by federal funding programs for Smart Grid technologies, which encouraged the use of automatic circuit breakers in decentralized networks, alongside preparations for tighter regulations such as the amendment to the ElektroG and the EU F-gas regulation. In 2022, investments by state-owned grid operators in digital protection systems and IoT features continued to stimulate demand, lifting the market size to USD 662 million, although production edged down to USD 978 million due to transitional adjustments. By 2023, the market stabilized at USD 660 million as manufacturers adapted to new energy efficiency standards and began transitioning to SF6-free technologies under the EU regulation.

In 2024, the market contracted to USD 508 million and production fell sharply to USD 726 million. This decline occurred despite the launch of innovative products like the SACE Tmax XT series from Siemens and ABB and the Masterpact MTZ from Schneider Electric. The drop was partly attributed to the enforcement of stringent regulatory changes, including the revised ElektroG with higher collection quotas and mandatory battery labeling, as well as the new VDE-AR-N 4105 standard altering requirements for smart circuit breakers, which increased operational costs and temporarily dampened market activity.

Production automatic circuit breakers in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of automatic circuit breakers declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 880 million US dollars, marking a 9.3% year-on-year reduction. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 20%, which translates to an annualized rate of 7.2%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 1 139 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 14.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 3.6%.

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

Exports automatic circuit breakers from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's export volume of automatic circuit breakers declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 23 471 tonnes of automatic circuit breakers, showing a gradual decline of 6.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany supplied automatic circuit breakers to a broad range of markets. The top destinations—Czechia (15.0% of exports in kind), Russia (7.2%), and Italy (6.5%)—together accounted for only 28.7% of total exports in kind. The remaining 71.3% was distributed among many smaller markets.

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

Germany's exports of automatic circuit breakers declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume totaled 927 million US dollars, representing a 3.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.9%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 1 018 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 5.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The top partners—Czechia (14.1% of exports in value terms), Italy (7.1%), and the United States (6.5%)—jointly represented 27.7% of total flows. The remaining 72.3% was accounted for by many other countries.

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

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

Imports automatic circuit breakers to Germany

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Germany's volume of automatic circuit breakers imports declined. In 2020, imports totaled 15 964 tonnes, reflecting a slight decline of 1.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 33.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 16 255 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 29.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany imported automatic circuit breakers from many countries. Even the largest destinations—Bulgaria, France, and Czechia—together represented only 45.9% of total imports in kind.

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 a two-year improvement, Germany's import volumes of automatic circuit breakers declined. In 2020, Germany imported automatic circuit breakers valued at 549 million US dollars, corresponding to a slight decrease of 1.1% versus the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 45.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 549 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 34.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms remained highly diversified. The top sources—Czechia (18.4% of imports in value terms), Romania (14.4%), and Italy (13.2%)—together accounted for only 46.0% of total flows. A long tail of smaller markets formed the remaining 54.0%.

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

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