Prepared explosives market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German prepared explosives market saw a sharp expansion in physical volume from 78.5 thousand tons in 2018 to 125.6 thousand tons in 2019, stabilizing at 126.6 thousand tons in 2020. The market has long been served by established producers like Orica and Maxam operating under the country's Sprengstoffgesetz, which provides the core legal framework for civil explosives.

Market volume contracted to 82.0 thousand tons in 2021 as production fell to 67.1 thousand tons. This period coincided with the centenary preparations of MSW-Chemie, a traditional manufacturer, for a fundamental modernization and the launch of a newly developed explosive product. By 2022, the market volume saw a slight further decline to 81.1 thousand tons.

From 2023, the market's physical volume continued to decrease, reaching 76.8 thousand tons, even as a major producer expanded its ammonium nitrate explosive capacity by 25% to over 500 thousand tons per year. In 2024, a leading German manufacturer commercialized a nitrate-free explosive meeting all EU safety and environmental standards, while MSW-Chemie began constructing a new plant to switch to a low-emission granular explosive. Concurrently, rising European defense spending spurred increased local explosive production in Germany to reduce import reliance. These product innovations and strategic shifts contributed to a rise in the market's value to 143.7 million US dollars in 2024, despite a further drop in physical volume to 74.9 thousand tons.

Production prepared explosives in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of prepared explosives was valued at 72 828 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 18.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 22.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 2.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 64.4 thousand tonnes, while the highest was reached in 2020 at 111.7 thousand tonnes, representing a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.7 times. Production in 2020 remained broadly stable compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 1.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, with growth of 73.1%.

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

Exports prepared explosives from Germany

According to market intelligence reports, Germany did not export any prepared explosives between 2017 and 2020.

Imports prepared explosives to Germany

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Germany imported 14 899 tonnes of prepared explosives, representing a 5.7% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 5.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with no change recorded.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Spain, and Austria were the main sources for Germany's imports of prepared explosives in volume terms. Poland accounted for 47.8% of imports, Spain for 24.9%, and Austria for 18.7%. Together, these three countries represented 91.5% 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

In 2020, Germany's imports of prepared explosives were valued at 30 405 thousand US dollars, which is 16.5% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 26 094 thousand US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2018 at 32 318 thousand US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2019, with a decrease of 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Spain, and Norway were the three largest markets for Germany's imports of prepared explosives in value terms. Together, they accounted for 59.8% 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