Moulds and moulding boxes market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, production of moulds and moulding boxes in Germany reached USD 4.1 billion, supported by a growth trend in tool and mold making driven by increasing automation and strong demand from the automotive sector. The market began to contract in 2019, even as additive manufacturing emerged as an innovation driver showcased at the GIFA industry fair. A sharp drop followed in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused global restrictions and reduced demand, pulling the market size down to USD 2.8 billion.

Post-pandemic, the introduction of the new Product Safety Act (ProdSG) in July 2021 tightened safety requirements for machinery, including foundry equipment, contributing to market stabilization at around USD 2.7 billion. Further decline to USD 2.5 billion in 2022 was driven by new regulations such as the Energy Saving Ordinance, which raised production costs, and ongoing preparation for the upcoming EU Machinery Regulation, while a challenging economic environment added pressure on manufacturers.

By 2024, the market stabilized at USD 2.5 billion, with a slight production recovery to USD 2.7 billion fueled by a global industry shift toward automation and Industry 4.0 technologies. Continued preparation for the new EU Machinery Regulation, set to replace the existing directive from 2027, remained a key influence, alongside market consolidation moves such as RMF Formenbau's acquisition of platec Kunststofftechnik GmbH, reflecting industry adaptation to evolving conditions.

Production moulds and moulding boxes in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of moulds and moulding boxes has declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, output was valued at 3 015 million US dollars, but this fell by 15.3% in 2020. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 20.8%, with an average annual decline of 7.5%. The peak was in 2018, when production reached 4 121 million US dollars, marking an 8.2% increase that year.

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

Exports moulds and moulding boxes from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's exports of moulds and moulding boxes have dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume stood at 43 304 tonnes, representing a significant 12.1% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 19.4%, with an average annual decline of 6.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's export structure for moulds and moulding boxes remained diverse, with no single country dominating. The top three destinations—Czechia (12.0% of exports), the United States (10.8%), and Poland (7.5%)—collectively accounted for just 30.3% of total export volume.

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 moulds and moulding boxes have declined for the second year running. In 2020, export value totaled 1 331 million US dollars, down 11.5% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 16.9%, with an average annual decline of 6.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 666 million US dollars, which saw a 4.0% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of moulds and moulding boxes were distributed across many markets. Even the largest destinations—the United States, Czechia, and Mexico—together made up only 30.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports moulds and moulding boxes to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of moulds and moulding boxes have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume was 51 110 tonnes, a 15.4% drop year-over-year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 15.8%, with an average annual decline of 5.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 61 020 tonnes, which experienced a modest 0.5% increase that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China (36.1% of import volume), Italy (12.6%), and Czechia (9.1%) were the leading sources for Germany's imports of moulds and moulding boxes, together accounting for 57.8% of total import volume.

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 moulds and moulding boxes have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import value reached 1 089 million US dollars, down 15.6% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 16.1%, with an average annual decline of 5.7%. The highest value was in 2018 at 1 348 million US dollars, which saw a 3.8% increase that year.

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

In the period 2017-2020, China (34.8% of import value), Italy (10.9%), and Switzerland (10.7%) held the largest shares in Germany's imports of moulds and moulding boxes by value, together comprising 56.5% of total import value.

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

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