Tubes, pipes and hoses and fittings thereof of plastics market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the German market for plastic tubes, pipes, hoses and fittings expanded steadily, with volume rising from 801 thousand tons to 991 thousand tons and value increasing from 2.6 billion to 3.4 billion US dollars. Initial growth was supported by increased demand for protective and trench pipes from the rapid expansion of wind energy and fiber-optic networks in northern Germany. The market surge in 2021 was further driven by the acquisition of Infinity Plastics assets by ISCO, which broadened the supply of ready-made HDPE pipe products, while rising raw material costs contributed to higher market prices.

After reaching a peak of over 1 million tons in 2022, market volume stabilized before contracting to 873 thousand tons in 2024, with value dropping to 2.9 billion US dollars. The decline was primarily due to widespread shortages of key raw materials like PP, PE, and PVC, coupled with force majeure notifications that strained the supply chain for plastic pipe producers.

Production plastic tubes, pipes, hoses and fittings in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the production value of plastic tubes, pipes, hoses, and their fittings reached 4 999 million US dollars in 2020, showing a modest increase of 1.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 119 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 8.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline, with production falling by 3.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's production of plastic tubes, pipes, hoses, and their fittings has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, output amounted to 1 140 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.6% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 9.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%.

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

Exports plastic tubes, pipes, hoses and fittings from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany exported 524.1 thousand tonnes of plastic tubes, pipes, hoses, and their fittings, representing a slight decline of 0.8% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 521.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decrease of 0.8%. Conversely, 2019 had the highest export volume at 528.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 1.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of plastic tubes, pipes, hoses, and their fittings were distributed across a wide range of buyers. The top three destinations—the Netherlands (10.6% of export volume), Austria (8.4%), and France (8.0%)—collectively accounted for only 27.0% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but still notable shares, reflecting a diversified market.

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

Germany's export value of plastic tubes, pipes, hoses, and their fittings declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 4 259 million US dollars, down 1.1% from 2019. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 4 477 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.8%. In 2019, exports fell by 3.8%, marking the most significant annual decline.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated Germany's exports of plastic tubes, pipes, hoses, and their fittings in value terms. The top three destinations—Czechia (7.9% of export value), Poland (7.4%), and Austria (6.8%)—together represented only 22.1% of total exports. The remaining share was spread across numerous smaller partners, each contributing modest individual portions.

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

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports plastic tubes, pipes, hoses and fittings to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's import volume of plastic tubes, pipes, hoses, and their fittings increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 274.1 thousand tonnes, up 3.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import volume grew by 17.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany sourced plastic tubes, pipes, hoses, and their fittings from a broad portfolio of suppliers. The top three—Italy (20.5% of import volume), Switzerland (13.9%), and Poland (10.4%)—collectively accounted for 44.9% of total imports. Many other countries provided smaller but significant shares, indicating a diversified supply base.

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 imported plastic tubes, pipes, hoses, and their fittings worth 2 048 million US dollars, reflecting a small increase of 2.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 13.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 0.1%, while 2018 saw the largest annual increase of 11.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of Germany's imports of plastic tubes, pipes, hoses, and their fittings in value terms was highly diversified. The top three suppliers—Switzerland (16.4% of import value), Italy (11.3%), and Czechia (8.4%)—together represented only 36.1% of total imports. The remaining 63.9% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries, highlighting a fragmented market.

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

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