Sleepers not impregnated market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the German market for non-impregnated wooden railway sleepers was characterized by intense competition among railway operators and had evolved into a niche due to long-standing restrictions on sleepers impregnated with hazardous substances. Market volume stood at 32 438 m³ in 2019 before falling sharply to 19 000 m³ in 2020, a decline coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and its disruptive impact on rail sector activity.

A recovery to 22 611 m³ occurred in 2021, supported by a more than 13% increase in rail freight traffic and the extension of state track charge subsidies to compensate operators for pandemic-related losses. The market contracted again to 15 717 m³ in 2022, a period marked by the continued dismantling of rail infrastructure, which removed 122 km of track and 900 switches from 2019 to 2022, reducing the need for replacement sleepers.

Market volume rebounded to 20 705 m³ in 2023 amid a 30% to 50% surge in long-distance passenger rail traffic and growing overall railway market turnover. Growth continued to 23 243 m³ in 2024, sustained by strong passenger demand partly attributed to stimulus measures like the 9-euro ticket and ongoing policy discussions about modernizing rail infrastructure.

Production sleepers not impregnated in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Volumes varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2017 and the highest in 2019, representing a 2.9-fold difference. In 2020, Germany's output of non-impregnated sleepers was valued at 4 372 K $ US, marking a contraction of 39.6% compared to the previous year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, m³

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Production volumes reached their highest level in 2019 and their lowest in 2020, with a 2.2-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Germany produced 7 821 m³ of non-impregnated sleepers, representing a drop of 53.7% compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, m³

Exports sleepers not impregnated from Germany

Exports in kind, m³

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports varied significantly, with the lowest volume recorded in 2019 at 1 078 m³ and the highest in 2020 at 3 173 m³, reflecting a 3.9-fold difference from peak to trough between 2017 and 2019. In 2020, Germany's exports of non-impregnated sleepers totalled 3 173 m³, marking an abrupt gain of 194.3% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 53.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Germany's non-impregnated sleepers in volume terms were Czechia (47.2% of exports), the Netherlands (20.5% of exports), and France (8.2% of exports), together comprising 76.0% of total exports.

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

After a two-year decline, Germany's exports of non-impregnated sleepers increased. In 2020, exports stood at 1 032 K $ US, showing a steep gain of 51.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 63.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 680 K $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, at 58.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Czechia (63.7% of exports in value terms), the Netherlands (12.8% of exports in value terms), and France (6.6% of exports in value terms) formed the core of Germany's exports, together accounting for 83.1% 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 sleepers not impregnated to Germany

Imports in kind, m³

Germany's import volume of non-impregnated sleepers declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 14 352 m³, reflecting a robust reduction of 13.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 22 459 m³. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 26.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 51.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, m³

From 2017 to 2020, France (53.7% of imports in volume terms), Austria (13.1% of imports in volume terms), and Switzerland (9.1% of imports in volume terms) continued to be the main suppliers of non-impregnated sleepers to Germany, jointly accounting for 75.9% of total imports.

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 import volume of non-impregnated sleepers declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 6 187 K $ US, marking a decline of 4.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 8 649 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 25.0%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 35.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (56.6% of imports in value terms), the United States (13.1% of imports in value terms), and Austria (9.1% of imports in value terms) consistently remained the main sources for Germany's imports, together accounting for 78.8% 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