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Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Nina Koefler Nina Koefler Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: September 2024 WZ B08.12DE

Revenue

€3.2bn

2024

€3.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€XXX.Xm

Employees

11,585

Businesses

186

Wages

€XXX.Xm

Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction in Germany industry analysis

The slowdown in the construction boom has led to a weakening of demand for gravel and sand in recent years. Turnover in gravel and sand pits has therefore fallen by an average of 0.3% per year since 2019. In the current year, the industry's turnover is expected to amount to 3.2 billion euros, which corresponds to an increase of 0.7% compared to the previous year.The low level of construction activity and the decline in production volumes are likely to pose a risk for companies in the sector and effectively dampen sales growth in the current year. Demand for gravel, clay and sand is expected to increase from the middle of the year, as falling interest rates on loans should make it easier to finance new construction projects. Germany has the world's largest deposits of building sands and kaolin. However, not all deposits can be utilised due to the dense population and high environmental regulations. Increasing environmental awareness and strict nature conservation laws are also likely to make it difficult to develop new mining areas in the current year, which is why domestic demand for mineral raw materials can hardly be met by domestic mining alone. Imports therefore play a significant role despite high deposits. At the same time, materials such as kaolin are also exported abroad. Demand for gravel and sand is expected to increase slightly over the next five years. IBISWorld expects the industry's total turnover to reach €3.4 billion in 2029, which corresponds to an average increase of 1.1% per year. The higher annual growth compared to the previous five-year period is not only due to increasing demand from infrastructure construction, but also to the shortage of extraction volumes, which is causing market prices to rise. As the higher commodity prices are passed on to the industry players' customers in the form of price increases, they ensure growth in industry turnover. Profits are not expected to be impacted by the higher procurement prices.

Trends and Insights

  • The construction boom has brought sales growth to the industry in recent years. Recently, however, a slowdown in construction activity has been observed, which is reducing the demand for sand for the production of concrete, among other things.
  • 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 gravel and sand are predominantly used.
  • The highest number of companies in the sector can be found in the Süd region. The most profitable storage sites are located in the vicinity of rivers and lakes.
  • Due to the obstacles to the development of new mining sites, domestic demand cannot be met without imports. This is another reason why the recycling of materials is likely to become increasingly important in the coming years.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €3.2bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Loss of sales in residential construction weighs on the industry

  • Housing construction, a central pillar of the German construction industry, experienced a real construction boom until 2021. This development should support the German government's goal of creating 400,000 new homes every year. The federal government plans to provide 14.5 billion euros for social housing construction alone by 2026.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Supply bottlenecks threaten the turnover of sand producers

  • As a result of the global construction boom, the demand for sand has tripled in the last 20 years. However, sand is a finite raw material. Moreover, desert sand cannot be used in the construction industry, which is why sand from the sea, riverbeds or sedimentary rock has to be used.

Biggest companies in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Quarzwerke GmbH
271.1
Heidelberg Materials AG
185.1
Hülskens Holding GmbH & Co. KG
133.6

To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo 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 involves 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?

Crushed stone and gravelBuilding sandQuartz sandClay and raw clay

Companies

Quarzwerke GmbHHeidelberg Materials AGHülskens Holding GmbH & Co. KG

Purchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

SEDIMENTADDITIVESRENATURING

Industry Code

WZ 2008

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

The construction boom has brought sales growth to the industry in recent years. Recently, however, a slowdown in construction activity has been observed, which is reducing th...

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 (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • 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 2024
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024
  • 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 Süd region. The most profitable storage sites 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 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

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 obstacles to the development of 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 2019-2024
  • 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 for the recultivation of former mining sites and the construction of ...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Quarzwerke GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Heidelberg Materials AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Hülskens Holding GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • 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 poses an obstacle to the development of new quarrying sites. The gravel and sand miners are repeatedly faced with pro...

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 (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

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

Personnel expenses are moderate compared to many other sectors of the manufacturing industry. The increasing automation of production processes is likely to further reduce th...

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 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

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 (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

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 2024?

The market size of the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany is €3.2bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 186 businesses in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 2.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

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 growing at a CAGR of 0.3 % between 2019 and 2024.

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 market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction market in Germany are Quarzwerke GmbH, Heidelberg Materials AG and Hülskens Holding GmbH & Co. KG

What does the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction in Germany include?

Crushed stone and gravel and Building sand are part of the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction in Germany?

The company holding the most market share 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.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Forestry & Logging in Germany
  • Materials Recovery in Germany

Complementors

  • Stone Quarrying in Germany

International industries

  • Sand & Gravel Mining in the US
  • Sand & Gravel Mining in Canada
  • Gravel and Sand Quarrying in Australia
  • Gravel and Sand Quarrying in New Zealand
  • Gravel, Sand & Clay Extraction in the UK

View all industries 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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