Printed circuits market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the printed circuits market in Germany contracted from 2.6 billion dollars to 2.1 billion dollars. This decline was driven by structural changes, including the closure of Zehnder printed circuits and the bankruptcy of Schoeller Electronics Systems, coupled with reduced demand from the automotive sector where orders fell sharply.

The market recovered to 2.8 billion dollars by 2022, supported by industry-wide price increases of 7-10% due to material cost surges and supply shortages. Rising demand from electromobility and 5G technology also contributed to higher market value during this period, even as production faced ongoing pressure from global competition and high energy costs.

By 2024, the market size had decreased to 2.2 billion dollars as global supply chain disruptions and material costs continued to challenge the industry, although German manufacturers simultaneously invested in modern production technologies for high-quality multilayer and HDI printed circuits.

Production printed circuits in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Printed circuit production in Germany has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1 458 million US dollars, down 5.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 4.9%, averaging an annual decline of 1.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 678 million US dollars. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 9.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M unit

Printed circuit production in Germany has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany produced 757.5 million units, marking a moderate decrease of 6.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production declined by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.4%. The peak was in 2018, with 876.3 million units. The steepest decline was in 2019, at 7.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 7.5%.

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

Exports printed circuits from Germany

Exports in kind, K unit

After two years of decline, printed circuit exports from Germany have rebounded. In 2020, Germany exported 12 749 thousand units, an increase of 8.9% from the previous year. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 42.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.0%. The lowest point was in 2019, with 11 702 thousand units. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, at 40.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Hungary, and Romania were the top buyers of printed circuits from Germany, accounting for 24.6%, 18.5%, and 11.5% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 54.6% of total exports in kind.

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

Printed circuit exports from Germany have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 1 091 million US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 4.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 6.8%, averaging an annual decline of 2.3%. The highest value was in 2018, at 1 245 million US dollars. The largest decrease was in 2019, at 8.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of printed circuits from Germany in value terms were not highly concentrated. Hungary, Czechia, and Romania accounted for 18.9%, 8.9%, and 8.2% of exports in value terms, respectively, together making up 36.0% 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 printed circuits to Germany

Imports in kind, K unit

Printed circuit imports into Germany have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 34 502 thousand units, a drop of 13.5% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 18.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.7%. The highest level was in 2018, at 42 738 thousand units. The largest increase was in 2018, at 0.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Italy, and Hong Kong were the main sources of printed circuit imports into Germany in kind, representing 56.0%, 5.1%, and 4.7% of imports, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 65.8% 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

Printed circuit imports into Germany have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 776 million US dollars, a substantial decrease of 10.1% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%. The peak was in 2018, at 2 198 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, at 10.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Asia not elsewhere specified, and Austria were the primary suppliers of printed circuits to Germany in value terms, accounting for 51.8%, 6.6%, and 5.0% of imports, respectively. Together, they comprised 63.3% of total imports in value terms.

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

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