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Plastic injection moulding in Germany

This CBI fact sheet aims to introduce plastic injection moulding suppliers from developing countries (DCs) to the plastic injection moulding market in Germany. The German market for plastic and rubber moulds is, by far, the largest market in the EU. After a good market growth in 2006-2008, the market started to decline in 2009. The German mould market represents a promising export market for rubber and plastic mould makers from DCs.
Market characteristics
Germany is the largest market for moulds for rubber or plastics in the EU, ahead of Italy and France. The German die and mould making industry has faced a difficult time for the past few years. Apparent demand in 2010 totalled 1.2 billion, after an annual decline of 1.2% in the period 2006-2010. However, market demand is expected to recover in 2011. The overall EU plastic injection moulding industry, including Germany, has shrunk over the past years, and market growth generally continues to shift from Western European to Central and Eastern European markets. It is difficult to project future market development for plastic injection moulding in Germany, nevertheless, the market is expected to be stable or contract slightly in 2012 in line with the forecast economic contraction of around 0.2%. Over the next few years, market demand for the German plastic injection moulding industry is expected to be mainly driven by packaging applications and demand from the medical and healthcare sectors. This represents an opportunity for mould makers in DCs who serve these markets. The German plastic industry is one of the largest in the EU, generating an annual turnover of around 34 billion. They serve several end-user industries. Germany is the largest producer of moulds for rubber or plastics in the EU, ahead of Italy and France. Production in 2010 totalled 1.5 billion, after an annual decline of 2.0%. The high number of mould producers in Germany represents good subcontracting opportunities for mould makers from DCs. Several plastic injection moulding makers in Germany have gradually closed down or been acquired by larger companies over the past years as a result of the recent economic turmoil and the soaring costs of energy, raw material and labour. These factors are expected to continue to intensify market competition and negatively affect profitability level. To be successful on this market, mould makers from DCs are advised to be cost competitive and try to fulfil or exceed buyers requirements, for example on product quality. Despite a drop in imports in 2010 (-6.3%), imports grew by 0.9% on average per year between 2006 and 2010, while the development in the EU posed a decline. Imports amounted to 356 million in 2010. Imports from DCs totalled 74 million in 2010. They grew faster than total imports in the period under review, which led to an increase in the share (from 9.1% to 21%). China accounted for 87% of all DC imports. China was followed by Turkey (4.2%), Malaysia (2.4%), India (2.1%), Mexico (0.8%), Indonesia (0.8%) and

Plastic injection moulding in Germany

Serbia (0.4%). Of the main DC suppliers, China experienced the highest growth (+31% per year), followed by Indonesia (+23%), Serbia (+22%), Turkey (+21%), India (+13%), Malaysia (+10%) and Thailand (+5.0%). The prices of imports (21/kg) are a little bit higher than the average import price in the EU (19/kg in 2010). The average price of imports from DCs (excl. China) was 19/kg in 2010 (19/kg in the EU). Regarding buyers requirements, apart from quality and price ratio, speed of delivery is increasingly important for this market. For mould makers in DCs, this means that you need a highly reliable tool making operation, from mould design to finishing of mould surface. For more information on buyer requirements, trends, trade structure and prices, please refer to the modules concerning the tooling, dies and moulds market in general.

Trade channels and finding trading partners


Mould markers in Germany are, by far, the most important trade channel for plastic and rubber mould makers from DCs. Mould makers in the EU usually employ subcontractors, including those from low-cost countries. Other possible trade channels, which are less important, are direct sales with end users of moulds and trade with agents or distributors. The best way to approach prospects is to exhibit at trade fairs in Germany, in particular Fakuma or K-Plast, which are leading fairs in this sub-sector. In addition, the Internet is a highly valuable source to find potential trading partners. Relevant country-specific sources to find prospects are: AMB - http://www.messe-stuttgart.de/amb - metalworking and tools fair, held in Stuttgart every even year (September/October). Association of German Engineering - http://www.vdma.com - go to Member companies for a list of members. Association of German Machine Tool and Die Makers (VDWF) http://www.vdwf.de - to search for prospective trading partners, click on Mitglieder. EMO - http://www.emo-hannover.de - tooling fair, held in Hannover every odd year (September). E-trade Center - http://www.e-trade-center.com - portal for finding trading partners. Euromold - http://www.euromold.com - annual fair for mould making, tooling and design in Frankfurt (December). Eventseye - http://www.eventseye.com - trade show directory; search by country and industry for other trade shows. Fakuma - http://www.fakuma-messe.de/en/57354 - fair for injection moulds, held in Friedrichshafen every odd year (October). German Trade Portal - http://www.handelsvertreter.de - choose the English version and go to Search for commercial agents to search in the directory. It is a paid directory. Hannover Messe - http://www.hannovermesse.de - worlds leading annual industrial technology exhibition with numerous product-specific trade fairs, held in Hannover in April. K-online - http://www.k-online.de - triennial fair for plastic and rubber processing in Dusseldorf. The next event will be in October - November 2013. National Federation of German Commercial Agencies and Distribution http://www.cdh.de - choose the English version and click on Business contact to search for a local agent. Nortec - http://nortec-hamburg.de - exhibition for metal-working and plastics processing, held in Hamburg every even year (January). Plastics Network Franconia - http://www.kunststoff-netzwerk-franken.de click on Die Idee then Mitgliedsfirmen. Wer liefert was? - http://www.wlw.de - database of German companies.

Source: CBI Market Information Database - www.cbi.eu Contact: marketinfo@cbi.eu www.cbi.eu/disclaimer Publication date: 09.12.2011 Compiled for CBI by Facts Figures Future in collaboration with Mr. Malcolm Sheryn and Mr. Aad van Rhijn.

Plastic injection moulding in Germany

Interesting players
Examples of interesting players are: Constin - http://www.constin.de - tool maker, including injection moulds. Engel - http://www.engel.at - leading producer of injection moulding technology from Austria, with a production facility in Germany. GKT - http://www.gkt.de - plastic processor and mould producer. Hasch Plastic - http://hasch-plastic.com - mould producer. Herbert Tiemann - http://www.h-tiemann.de - plastic injection moulding and mould making. Hitex Industries - http://www.hitex-ag.de - plastic processor, with in-house mould production. ITM Kunststofftechnik - http://www.itm-kunststofftechnik.de - plastic processor, with in-house mould production. Lausberg Kunststofftechnik - http://lausberg-kunststofftechnik.de - plastic processor, with in-house mould production. Mller - http://www.mueller-gruppe.net - producer of injection moulds. New Plastic - http://www.newplastic.de - mould producer. Rekuplast - http://www.rekuplast.de - producer of injection moulds. SK Schmidt - http://www.sk-schmidt.de - plastic processor and mould producer. Waschke - http://www.waschke.org - plastic processor, with in-house mould production. France hosts several interesting players. Since each company is unique, with its own customers, market segments and products, the profile of the potential trading partner is very important. There is a considerable chance that you will find one that matches.

Other useful sources Association of German Engineers - http://www.vdi.de - provides engineering


guidelines. European Tool & Mould Making (ETMM) - http://www.tool-mouldmaking.com - trade magazine for the tool and mould industry, published 9 times a year. Federation of German Industries (BDI) - http://www.bdi.eu. German Chamber of Commerce - http://www.dihk.de. Industrie Magazine - http://www.industriemagazin.net - online trade magazine for the industrial sector, including plastic. Injection World - http://www.injectionworld.com - electronic trade magazine for injection moulders, mould makers and plastics product designers, issued 9 times a year. Kunststoff Magazin - http://www.kunststoff-magazin.de - online and print trade magazine for the plastic and mould making industry. Kwintessential - http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/countryprofiles.html - provides practical tips on business culture and etiquette. Trade Association for the supplying Industry - http://www.argez.de. Werkzeug & Formenbau - http://www.werkzeugundformenbau.de - trade magazine for the tool and mold making industry; published 5 times per year.

Source: CBI Market Information Database - www.cbi.eu Contact: marketinfo@cbi.eu www.cbi.eu/disclaimer Publication date: 09.12.2011 Compiled for CBI by Facts Figures Future in collaboration with Mr. Malcolm Sheryn and Mr. Aad van Rhijn.

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