September 16, 2025 15:36

After closing the first three months of the year with positive growth (up 4.5%) that had raised hopes of a recovery, German plastics production in primary forms slipped again in the second quarter.

According to Plastics Europe Deutschland, output fell by 4.3% compared to the previous quarter and by 6.2% versus the same period in 2024. At the same time, producer prices dropped by 0.6% (down 2.4% year over year), while sales contracted by 2.4%, down to just under €6.3 billion.
Foreign trade figures were also negative. Between April and June, exports of plastics decreased by 6.7%, while imports rose to €4.6 billion. The trade surplus narrowed but remained positive at €2.1 billion.

Even more concerning, Plastics Europe Deutschland does not foresee an improvement in the coming months.

“Stagnation is not yet behind us,” said Christine Bunte, managing director of Plastics Europe Deutschland. “The structural deficits of Germany as an industrial location have developed over many years. The federal government has begun to address critical issues such as high energy costs and bureaucratic burdens, but it will take time before the measures have an effect.”

In this challenging market environment, the German plastics industry is looking for positive signals at K 2025, the trade fair opening in early October in Düsseldorf.
“The innovative spirit of companies remains intact,” added Bunte. “K 2025 will show how the industry compares internationally and how it can regain momentum.”

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