Glass moulds market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German glass moulds market began the period at a high value of 79.5 million $ in 2018, buoyed by reported stable demand in the glass sector and state-subsidized loans for modernizing production facilities, which encouraged investment in new moulding systems. A sharp contraction to 57.4 million $ followed in 2019, which the industry association linked directly to declining foreign sales of container glass, reducing immediate demand for new production moulds.

Market value recovered to 63.7 million $ by 2021, largely driven by regulatory changes. The introduction of Germany's new Packaging Act in 2020, expanding deposit schemes for single-use bottles, increased the need for robust, recyclable glass moulds for food and pharmaceutical packaging. Subsequent revisions to EU packaging directives also imposed early labelling requirements, prompting manufacturers to invest in compliant mould systems.

From 2022 onward, the market entered a sustained decline, falling to 39.2 million $ by 2024. This trend was consistently attributed to weak export demand for German container glass, which led to consolidation among mould producers and reduced orders for new equipment. While ongoing EU circular economy regulations, such as the PPWR, continued to set new design standards for recyclability, they could not offset the primary pressure from diminished international sales.

Production glass moulds in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Germany's glass moulds production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 30 994 K $ US, marking an 11.7% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.7%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 57 044 K $ US, which represented a 64.5% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 38.4%.

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

Exports glass moulds from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's glass moulds export volume fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 197 t, showing a significant reduction of 14.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 246 t, which was a 19.3% increase from the year before.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's glass moulds export structure was diversified, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position. Austria accounted for 14.1% of exports in kind, Czechia for 14.0%, and the United States for 13.3%, together making up just 41.5% of total 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, K $ US

After rising for two years, Germany's glass moulds exports declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 7 814 K $ US, down 19.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 6.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 9 742 K $ US, following a 12.1% increase in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, there was no single dominant market for Germany's glass moulds exports in value terms. The United States held 17.7% of exports, Czechia 15.1%, and Austria 12.0%, together accounting for only 44.8% of total exports. Many smaller partners each contributed 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 glass moulds to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's glass moulds imports increased in 2020, reaching 1 781 t, a gain of 5.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 3.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 6.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, China, and Croatia remained the main suppliers of glass moulds to Germany in kind. Italy accounted for 20.4% of imports, China for 19.1%, and Croatia for 12.9%, jointly forming 52.4% of total imports.

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

Germany's glass moulds imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 36 484 K $ US, which is 14.0% more than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 22.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, glass moulds imports to Germany came from a broad set of markets. Croatia accounted for 17.1% of imports in value terms, Belgium for 14.8%, and China for 14.5%, together making up only 46.4% of total imports. The remaining 53.6% was formed by many smaller destinations.

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

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