Flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the German market for flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses expanded substantially in physical terms, with volume growing from 345.2 thousand tons to 480.0 thousand tons, an increase of 39%. In value terms, the market rose from 888 million US dollars to a peak of 1 109 million in 2021, before easing to 1 063 million in 2022.

By 2024, market volume had contracted to 402.1 thousand tons, while the market value remained relatively stable at 1 055 million US dollars. This divergence was partly influenced by a drop in import prices, which fell by approximately 10% in 2024, cushioning the value impact of lower physical sales.

Throughout the period, Germany maintained its position as the largest consumer and producer of flexible plastic tubes and hoses in the European Union, accounting for around 50% of EU market volume and 54% of production. Market trends indicated growing importance of tubes with higher burst pressure ratings.

Production flexible plastic tubes and hoses in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1 941 million US dollars, down 1.0% from the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 1 965 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 8.7% also occurring that year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 7.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's production of flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 482.0 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate rise of 6.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 15.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.8%.

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

Exports flexible plastic tubes and hoses from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's exports of flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses declined. In 2020, exports totaled 197.2 thousand tonnes, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. Exports peaked in 2019 at 197.5 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 3.9% recorded in 2018. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 5.3%, averaging an annual rate of 1.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses were relatively evenly distributed among trading partners. The top three destinations—the Netherlands (10.0% of exports), Austria (9.4%), and Poland (8.5%)—together accounted for just 27.9% of total export volumes.

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 exports of flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses were valued at 1 851 million US dollars, up 0.6% from the previous year. Exports reached their highest point in 2018 at 1 867 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 10.8% also occurring that year. The largest annual decline of 1.5% was recorded in 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 9.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's export structure for flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses remained highly diversified in value terms. The top three markets—China (7.5% of export value), Austria (7.3%), and Poland (7.1%)—together represented only 21.9% of total flows. The remaining 78.1% was spread across a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports flexible plastic tubes and hoses to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 114.8 thousand tonnes, staying almost flat compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 22.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's imports of flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses came from a diversified set of partners. The top three suppliers—Italy (23.8% of import volume), Poland (9.7%), and the Netherlands (8.2%)—together accounted for 41.8% of total flows, while the remaining 58.2% was dispersed among numerous smaller markets.

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 flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 862 million US dollars, rising 5.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 25%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's import structure for flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses in value terms was quite broad. The top three suppliers—Italy (12.6% of import value), the United States (10.0%), and Czechia (9.6%)—together represented only 32.2% of total flows.

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

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