Bottling and packaging equipment market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German bottling and packaging equipment market experienced a decline in volume from 1 282 million USD in 2018 to 1 038 million USD in 2020. This period started with a significant technological advance as Krones launched its redesigned Modulfill HES machine in late 2018, which could fill, seal, and empty bottles. Ongoing trends such as the integration of robotics and IoT into filling equipment aimed to enhance efficiency and cut production costs, while the emergence of new high-speed bottling lines with capacities up to 60,000 bottles per hour began to reshape production capabilities.

Market volume rebounded to 1 147 million USD in 2021 and reached 1 281 million USD in 2022, holding steady in 2023. This recovery aligned with heightened sustainability efforts, including regulatory recycling mandates that achieved about a 31% annual recycling rate for beverage containers. Growing demand for automated packaging systems, with nearly half of beverage manufacturers investing in such technology between 2022 and 2024, supported production. Krones AG maintained its dominant position, continuously innovating in filling and packaging solutions.

In 2024, market volume fell to 1 017 million USD even as a new liquid packaging system capable of handling 60,000 bottles per hour was introduced and global demand for liquid filling machines rose. This drop coincided with production increasing to 6 069 million USD, indicating that stronger exports of German equipment, driven by technological leadership, likely reduced domestic market volume while expanding international sales.

Production bottling and packaging equipment in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's bottling and packaging equipment production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 5 426 million US dollars, showing a modest 5.1% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 5 903 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.4%.

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

Exports bottling and packaging equipment from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's bottling and packaging equipment exports fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 81 248 tons, reflecting a 4.7% decline from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 9.1%, averaging an annual decline of 3.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's export destinations for bottling and packaging equipment were quite diverse. The United States accounted for 10.7% of exports, China for 7.5%, and France for 4.2%. Together, these three countries represented just 22.4% of total export flows, while the remaining 77.6% went to numerous other countries.

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 bottling and packaging equipment exports in value terms declined for the second straight year. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 145 million US dollars, a 2.5% contraction compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 6.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 5 349 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 10.6%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Germany's bottling and packaging equipment exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The United States accounted for 13.7% of exports, China for 7.6%, and France for 4.8%. Combined, these three destinations made up only 26.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports bottling and packaging equipment to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of bottling and packaging equipment in volume terms increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached approximately 29 449 tons, reflecting an 18.2% improvement over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 59.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Israel, Italy, and China were the main suppliers of bottling and packaging equipment to Germany in volume terms. Israel accounted for 38.5% of imports, Italy for 12.7%, and China for 7.7%. Together, these three countries formed 58.9% 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

Germany's imports of bottling and packaging equipment in value terms rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 758 million US dollars, marking a modest 3.6% advance over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 24.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Italy, and Israel remained the primary sources for Germany's bottling and packaging equipment imports in value terms. Switzerland accounted for 22.7% of imports, Italy for 18.8%, and Israel for 14.8%. Collectively, these three markets represented 56.2% of total import flows.

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

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