Cement, concrete or artificial stone articles market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

In the late 2010s, the German market for cement, concrete, and artificial stone articles was influenced by tightening EU climate policy, which mandated CO₂ reductions in cement production and spurred investments in energy-efficient plants operated by major companies like Heidelberg Materials and Holcim. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused supply chain disruptions for raw materials and temporary production stoppages, although government short-time work schemes alleviated some operational impacts.

The European energy crisis in 2021 significantly increased production costs due to soaring energy prices, prompting the German government to introduce a climate protection package with subsidies for low-carbon cement and concrete products. By 2022, mandatory participation in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) added further compliance costs, while the new DIN-EN-197-6 standard facilitated market entry for new players offering recycled-content cement, such as Holcim's Susteno. These pressures contributed to a modest decline in production from 64 543 thousand tonnes in 2021 to 63 554 thousand tonnes in 2022, with overall market volume remaining stable at around 62 000 thousand tonnes.

Substantial price increases for cement (+32.3%) and fresh concrete (+24.9%) in 2023 resulted from ongoing energy and raw material scarcity, exacerbated by higher CO₂ prices under the EU-ETS. Regulatory momentum accelerated with the Climate Action Program 2030 and the introduction of the CCC label for climate-friendly cement. In 2024, stricter waste recycling rules under the German Mantelverordnung, alongside technological advances like AI-driven production optimization and the launch of cement-free concrete stones, aligned with a sharp market contraction. Production plummeted to 52 014 thousand tonnes and market volume fell to 50 200 thousand tonnes, reflecting the combined effect of high costs, stringent regulations, and evolving product innovation.

Production cement, concrete or artificial stone articles in Germany

According to Faostat, there is no production of cement, concrete or artificial stone articles in Germany.

Exports cement, concrete or artificial stone articles from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of cement, concrete, and artificial stone articles declined for the third consecutive year. In 2019, exports amounted to 3 948 K t, showing no significant change compared to 2020. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 4.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 1.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and France were the key partners for Germany's exports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 36.7% of exports, Switzerland for 10.9%, and France for 10.6%. Together, these three countries represented 58.2% of total export flows.

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 cross-border shipments of cement, concrete, and artificial stone articles reached 1 007 M $ US, marking a 2.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 041 M $ US, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.5% drop. The most significant increase was in 2018, with an 8.1% rise.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Germany's exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. The Netherlands accounted for 20.4% of exports, Switzerland for 11.7%, and France for 11.2%. Combined, these three countries represented only 43.3% 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 cement, concrete or artificial stone articles to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of cement, concrete, and artificial stone articles increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 478 K t, reflecting a 4.2% rise compared to the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 256 K t, which saw the largest decline of 15.7%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 12.9% growth.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia, the Netherlands, and Poland were the principal sources for Germany's imports in kind. Czechia accounted for 35.2% of imports, the Netherlands for 17.8%, and Poland for 13.7%. Together, these three countries made up 66.7% 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 cement, concrete, and artificial stone articles increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 007 M $ US, showing a 6.2% increase relative to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 3.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 359 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 9.6%. The most significant increase was in 2019, with an 8.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for Germany's imports in value terms was diverse. Czechia accounted for 21.1% of imports, Poland for 14.7%, and the Netherlands for 11.6%. Together, these three countries formed only 47.4% of total import flows, while a substantial 52.6% came from many other countries.

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

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