Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €4.1bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Loss of sales in residential construction weighs on the sector
- In 2024, 16.8% fewer flats were approved in Germany than in the previous year. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the lowest level since 2010 was reached with 215,900 approved flats. The decline in building permits led to the loss of large construction contracts in residential construction, particularly for apartment buildings, which require large quantities of gravel and sand for concrete foundations. The average time from planning permission to completion of a residential building has also increased to 26 months for properties completed in 2024, compared to 20 months in 2020.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Public infrastructure investments will stabilise demand for gravel in the future
- In 2024, the German government invested 198 euros per capita in rail infrastructure, according to the Pro-Rail Alliance, which corresponds to an increase of 74% compared to the previous year. In order to drive this development forward, the German government has launched an extensive investment programme in the form of the Special Infrastructure and Climate Neutrality Fund in 2025. A total of more than 100 billion euros has been earmarked for the renovation of the dilapidated rail infrastructure by 2029.
Biggest companies in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Quarzwerke GmbH | 285.0 | |
Heidelberg Materials AG | 169.1 | |
Hülskens Holding GmbH & Co. KG | 147.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Crushed stone and gravel, Building sand and Quartz sand. Crushed stone and gravel is the largest segment of the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Export countries support demand for gravel and crushed stone
- Gravel is an angular, irregularly shaped type of sediment that is formed in nature from rock fragments or by mechanical crushing in gravel works. Gravel consists of small, round-ground stones, the shape of which is created by many years of grinding in river courses or artificially by tumbling.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The extraction of gravel, sand, clay and kaolin includes not only the actual extraction of these various minerals, but also their cleaning and initial processing. The industry does not include the extraction of natural stone or the extraction of bituminous sands.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany include Crushed stone and gravel, Building sand, Quartz sand and Clay and raw clay.Companies
Companies covered in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany include Quarzwerke GmbH, Heidelberg Materials AG and Hülskens Holding GmbH & Co. KG.Purchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany include sediment, additives and renaturing.Industry Code
WZ 08.12 - Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction in Germany
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Weak construction activity in the residential construction sector has significantly reduced demand for mineral building materials and weakened the capacity utilisation of mini...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The demand for gravel, crushed stone and sand has fallen recently. The reason for this is the decline in construction activity in Germany, where mineral raw materials such as...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The highest number of companies in the sector can be found in the South region. The most productive deposits are located in the vicinity of rivers and lakes.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Due to the hurdles involved in developing new mining sites, domestic demand cannot be met without imports. This is another reason why the recycling of materials is likely to ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Quarzwerke GmbH is characterised by a particularly sustainable concept. This includes exemplary projects to recultivate former mining areas and the construction of a large fl...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Quarzwerke GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Heidelberg Materials AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Hülskens Holding GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Quarzwerke GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Heidelberg Materials AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Hülskens Holding GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The increasing environmental awareness of the population is an obstacle to the development of new extraction sites. The gravel and sand extraction companies are repeatedly fa...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Digitalisation and automation are reducing the proportion of manual tasks, while the need for skilled workers to maintain and control modern systems is increasing. Personnel ...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany in 2025?
The market size of the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany is €4.1bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany in 2025?
There are 860 businesses in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.6 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany?
The Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany is likely to be impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany?
The Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany is likely to be impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
Has the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany has been declining at a CAGR of 0.9 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany are Quarzwerke GmbH, Heidelberg Materials AG and Hülskens Holding GmbH & Co. KG
What does the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany include?
Crushed stone and gravel and Building sand are part of the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany is Quarzwerke GmbH.
How competitive is the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany?
The level of competition is low and steady in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Germany include:
- German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
- European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
- United Nations Comtrade
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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