Porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the German market for porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares showed initial resilience, with revenue in the technical ceramics segment growing by 8.5% in 2018 despite a slight dip in physical volume. The industry maintained stable innovation spending focused on high-tech applications through 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 then sharply contracted the market, particularly affecting manufacturers reliant on the foodservice sector, leading to a 15% drop in market volume to 4 127 t.

Market volume continued to decline post-pandemic, falling to 3 385 t by 2022. In value terms, however, 2021 saw a notable surge to 54.3 million USD, suggesting a shift toward higher-value products or price increases, although the market size in tons kept decreasing. By 2022, the market value also retreated to 51.6 million USD.

In 2023, the industry adapted with rising demand for personalized and hand-painted items, alongside the launch of microwave-safe porcelain by major players like Noritake and Villeroy & Boch. Concurrently, global logistics challenges raised transport and packaging costs by 22%, pressuring production economics. The ceramitec 2024 trade fair highlighted ongoing innovation in technical ceramics, underscoring a sustained industry focus on advanced materials and processes, even as the physical market volume settled at a lower level of 2 573 t in 2024.

Production porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Germany's production of porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 40,503 thousand US dollars, representing a 16.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10.7%, which translates to an annualized decline of 3.7%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 49,300 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 8.6% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Germany produced 3,770 tonnes of porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares, marking a 16.0% drop compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 18%, equivalent to an annualized rate of decline of 6.4%. The largest increase in production volume was recorded in 2019, with a growth of 5.4%.

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

Exports porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's exports of porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 686 tonnes, showing a decrease of 14.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 28.5%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 10.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1,098 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 26.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 14.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Germany's exports of porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares in volume terms were Czechia, Italy, and Poland. Czechia accounted for 27.4% of exports, Italy for 24.4%, and Poland for 7.7%. Together, these three countries represented 59.5% 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, K $ US

Germany's exports of porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 13,254 thousand US dollars, down by 1.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 0.8%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 13,837 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 3.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 1.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's exports of porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares in value terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The top contributors were Czechia with 26.8% of exports, Italy with 9.4%, and China with 8.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 44.3% 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 porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1,044 tonnes, representing a substantial drop of 13.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 62.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -28.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Germany's imports of porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares in volume terms were Austria, China, and South Korea. Austria accounted for 33.4% of imports, China for 23.7%, and South Korea for 12.6%. Collectively, these three countries made up 69.6% 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, K $ US

Germany's imports of porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 10,750 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial decline of 14.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 38.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 15.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's imports of porcelain laboratory and technical ceramic wares in value terms were spread across many countries. The top sources were Czechia with 22.4% of imports, China with 15.3%, and South Korea with 12.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 49.8% 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