Brake fluids and antifreezes market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for brake fluids and antifreezes experienced notable fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2024. Market size in physical terms declined from 222.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 199.0 thousand tons in 2019, stabilized around 198.5 thousand tons in 2020, then rebounded strongly to 248.5 thousand tons in 2021. A subsequent contraction brought volume down to 218.2 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 195.8 thousand tons in 2024. In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, falling from $247.0 million in 2018 to $155.3 million in 2020 before recovering to approximately $227 million in 2021-2022 and dropping to $197.0 million in 2024.

The decline in 2024 coincided with new regulatory restrictions that limited consumer sales of certain antifreeze products containing boric acid or borates, effective from December 2023. Concurrently, major manufacturers expanded their brake fluid and antifreeze ranges to meet the specific requirements of modern vehicles, particularly electric cars, introducing products designed for lower conductivity and extended service intervals.

Production brake fluids and antifreezes in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of brake fluids and antifreezes declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 446.9 million US dollars, representing a significant decrease of 20.7% compared to 2019. Production fell by 23% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 8.4%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 626.2 million US dollars, with the largest year-over-year increase of 7.8% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Production of brake fluids and antifreezes in Germany decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany produced 331.9 thousand metric tons, showing a moderate decline of 9.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 7.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The peak production volume was reached in 2018 at 386.3 thousand metric tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports brake fluids and antifreezes from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of brake fluids and antifreezes declined for the second year running. In 2020, the country exported 211.8 thousand metric tons, down 16.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 13%, corresponding to a compound annual decline rate of 4.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 257.5 thousand metric tons, with the largest year-over-year increase of 5.8% also occurring that year.

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

The export market for brake fluids and antifreezes from Germany was quite diversified between 2017 and 2020. Austria accounted for 9.9% of exports by volume, France for 8.2%, and the United Kingdom for 6.4%. Together, these three countries represented just 24.5% of total exports, while the remaining 75.5% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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 brake fluids and antifreezes in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 408.8 million US dollars, marking a 17.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value fell by 12.5%, with a compound annual decline rate of 4.4%. The peak export value was recorded in 2018 at 530.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 13.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single country dominated Germany's brake fluids and antifreezes export market in value terms. France accounted for 8.2% of export value, China for 7.7%, and Austria for 6.4%. Combined, these three markets represented only 22.3% of total export value, with the remainder spread across many smaller partners, each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports brake fluids and antifreezes to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of brake fluids and antifreezes decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 78.4 thousand metric tons, which is 9.3% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume declined by 16.6%, with a compound annual decrease rate of 5.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 94.2 thousand metric tons, with the largest annual increase of 0.2% also occurring that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were the leading sources for Germany's brake fluids and antifreezes imports by volume. Belgium accounted for 47.1% of imports, the Netherlands for 16.0%, and the United Kingdom for 11.6%. Together, these three countries represented 74.7% of total import volume during this period.

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 brake fluids and antifreezes in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 117.2 million US dollars, reflecting a significant decrease of 14.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 15.8%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 5.6%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 151.4 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 8.8% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom consistently held the top positions in Germany's brake fluids and antifreezes import market by value. Belgium accounted for 32.9% of import value, Switzerland for 19.2%, and the United Kingdom for 14.9%. Combined, these three countries represented 66.9% of total import value during this period.

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

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