Carbon dioxide market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Germany's carbon dioxide market saw shifting volumes influenced by the country's climate policy and economic conditions. Production in physical terms declined from 644.4 thousand tons to 609.4 thousand tons, reflecting reduced CO2 emissions from the energy sector as coal-fired power generation decreased and renewable energy expanded. The market volume peaked in 2019 at 866.8 thousand tons due to higher imports, but fell back in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic lowered industrial activity and demand for CO2 in applications like food processing and cooling.

The launch of Germany's national emissions trading system (nEHS) in 2021 introduced a carbon price of 25 euros per ton, creating a direct financial incentive for capturing and utilizing CO2. This contributed to a rise in the value of production to 67.5 million dollars despite a further drop in physical output to 598.6 thousand tons. The growing voluntary market for carbon credits also began to stimulate interest in CO2 capture projects.

In the following years, rising CO2 certificate prices in the EU Emissions Trading System, reaching nearly 100 euros per ton in 2022, and the expansion of the national carbon pricing scheme strengthened economic drivers for CO2 utilization. By 2024, the production value had climbed to 83.4 million dollars, and exports surged to 89.6 thousand tons, indicating increased international demand. Government support for carbon credits as part of climate strategy further underpinned market development.

Production carbon dioxide in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Germany's carbon dioxide production value reached 66,483 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 15.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 47.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.7%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 32.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's carbon dioxide production volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production totaled 609.4 thousand tons, down 3.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production volume increased by 4.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 644.4 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 10.4%.

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

Exports carbon dioxide from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's carbon dioxide export volume declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 48.2 thousand tons, representing a 15.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export volume fell by 4.7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 58.0 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest increase of 14.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria, France, and Switzerland were Germany's key carbon dioxide export partners by volume. Austria accounted for 28.1% of exports, France for 21.9%, and Switzerland for 17.0%. Together, these three countries represented 67.0% of Germany's total carbon dioxide export volume during this period.

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, K $ US

Germany's carbon dioxide export value reached 24,646 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a 22.3% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 31.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 5.9%.

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

Germany's carbon dioxide export market by value was diverse from 2017 to 2020. Austria accounted for 22.2% of export value, France for 10.2%, and Sweden for 9.1%. Together, these three countries represented 41.6% of total export value, while the remaining 58.4% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports carbon dioxide to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's carbon dioxide import volume totaled 236.7 thousand tons in 2020, down 19.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume increased by 11.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 200.6 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 294.4 thousand tons. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 46.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Czechia, and France were the largest contributors to Germany's carbon dioxide import volume. The Netherlands accounted for 25.5% of imports, Czechia for 20.5%, and France for 15.1%. Together, these three countries represented 61.2% of Germany's total carbon dioxide 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, K $ US

After two years of growth, Germany's carbon dioxide import value declined in 2020. Imports amounted to 34,656 thousand US dollars, representing a 3.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 53.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.3%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 35,903 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 49.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Israel, the Netherlands, and Czechia were Germany's main sources of carbon dioxide imports by value. Israel accounted for 32.0% of import value, the Netherlands for 11.7%, and Czechia for 11.0%. Together, these three countries represented 54.7% of Germany's total carbon dioxide 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