Portland cement market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

In the initial years from 2018 to 2021, the German portland cement market volume remained relatively stable, fluctuating around 15.2 million tonnes annually. This stability was supported by sustained demand from public infrastructure projects in the education and transport sectors. During this period, regulatory pressure to reduce CO2 emissions intensified, notably with a government goal to curb the use of classical portland cement by 2021, prompting a structural shift toward composite and slag cements within the industry.

A sharp contraction began in 2022, with market volume falling from 15.2 million tonnes to 8.7 million tonnes by 2024. This decline was primarily driven by global supply chain disruptions and raw material shortages, which reduced cement demand worldwide. Furthermore, persistently high prices for construction materials constrained consumption in Germany, outweighing ongoing tailwinds from urbanization and public infrastructure investment.

In response, major industry players accelerated innovation and modernization. Heidelberg Materials' subsidiary Hima Cement launched a masonry product with a reduced carbon footprint in 2021, and Heidelberg Materials itself introduced a new environmentally friendly cement in 2023. Concurrently, the sector invested in digitalization and automation of production lines to improve efficiency, aligning with the industry's long-term roadmap for carbon neutrality by 2050 and growing demand for sustainable building solutions.

Production portland cement in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the output value of portland cement reached 1 527 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 7.8% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.8%. The smallest change occurred in 2019, with a 0.0% decline.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Portland cement production in Germany rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, Germany produced 18 318 thousand tonnes of portland cement, up 1.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 2.2%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 17 735 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.0%.

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

Exports portland cement from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany's cross-border shipments of portland cement totaled 3 425 thousand tonnes, reflecting a moderate decrease of 5.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 8.9%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 1.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France were the three principal markets for Germany's portland cement exports in kind, together accounting for 55.8% of the total.

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 cross-border shipments of portland cement in value terms reached 305.1 million US dollars, showing a slight rise of 0.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 2.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Belgium formed the main cluster of markets for Germany's portland cement exports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 32.0% of exports, France for 12.1%, and Belgium for 11.3%, together representing 55.4% of total 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 portland cement to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's volume of portland cement imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 822 thousand tonnes, equivalent to a moderate decrease of 4.8% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 29.5%, with an average annual decline of 11.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, France, Czechia, and the Netherlands stood out as the main sources for Germany's portland cement imports in kind. France contributed 35.5% of imports, Czechia 18.8%, and the Netherlands 8.8%, together representing 63.1% of total 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

In 2020, Germany's portland cement imports in value terms amounted to 74.1 million US dollars, up by 4.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 16%, equating to an average annual decline of 5.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 71.0 million US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 92.5 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 23.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 4.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, France, Czechia, and Denmark remained the leading destinations in Germany's import structure in value terms. France accounted for 29.6% of imports, Czechia for 15.2%, and Denmark for 11.2%, with a combined share of 56.0% 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