Not ornamented plaster boards and panels market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the German market for not ornamented plaster boards and panels grew from 233 million m² to 252 million m². This increase was supported by the expansion and modernization of production facilities by major players like Knauf, which upgraded its plants in Iphofen, Frankfurt, and Perl. In 2019, the formation of Knauf Ceiling Solutions through a merger with Armstrong Ceiling Solutions and WAVE allowed entry into new market segments. Concurrently, rising demand for fire-resistant and moisture-resistant gypsum boards, accounting for over 45% of demand, stimulated consumption. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused temporary supply chain disruptions, but the market rebounded quickly in 2021 due to sustained construction activity.

From 2022 onward, market volume began to contract, falling to 225 million m² in 2022 and further to 192 million m² in 2023. By 2024, volume reached 184 million m². During this period, stricter Packaging Act (VerpackG) requirements took effect from January and July 2022, raising recycling quotas and mandatory packaging registration, which added administrative and cost burdens for manufacturers. Despite innovations in high-quality board manufacturing and sustainable materials, the overall market volume declined, with geopolitical tensions also playing a role as Knauf's Russian subsidiary faced criticism for supporting mobilization in the Ukraine war.

Production not ornamented plaster boards and panels in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the output value of non-ornamented plaster boards and panels reached 692.8 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 4.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 6.3%, while the smallest change was recorded in 2019, with essentially no growth.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M m²

Production of non-ornamented plaster boards and panels in Germany has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 269.4 million square meters, remaining largely stable compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M m²

Exports not ornamented plaster boards and panels from Germany

Exports in kind, K m²

Germany exported 55,102 thousand square meters of non-ornamented plaster boards and panels in 2020, representing a 9.6% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 11.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The largest decline was observed in 2019, at 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Austria were the leading destinations for Germany's exports of non-ornamented plaster boards and panels in volume terms. Switzerland accounted for 28.0% of exports, the Netherlands for 14.8%, and Austria for 9.1%, together making up 52.0% 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, the export value of non-ornamented plaster boards and panels from Germany was recorded at 259.0 million US dollars, showing a modest increase of 4.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 4.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest value was in 2019, at 247.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's export portfolio for non-ornamented plaster boards and panels in value terms was quite diverse. Switzerland led with 23.1% of exports, followed by Italy at 8.6% and the Netherlands at 7.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 39.5% 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 not ornamented plaster boards and panels to Germany

Imports in kind, K m²

Imports of non-ornamented plaster boards and panels into Germany have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 18,054 thousand square meters, showing a modest year-over-year growth of 8.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 8.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018, at 15,768 thousand square meters, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

Between 2017 and 2020, Czechia, the Netherlands, and Spain were the primary sources for Germany's imports of non-ornamented plaster boards and panels in volume terms. Czechia accounted for 48.5% of imports, the Netherlands for 18.2%, and Spain for 13.2%, collectively representing 80.0% 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

Imports of non-ornamented plaster boards and panels into Germany have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the import value reached 44.6 million US dollars, reflecting a robust year-over-year increase of 16.5%. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 19.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, the Netherlands, and Spain were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of Germany's imports of non-ornamented plaster boards and panels in value terms. Czechia accounted for 24.2% of imports, the Netherlands for 23.2%, and Spain for 18.4%, together making up 65.8% of total import flows.

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

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