German glass industry reports a 3.1% revenue drop in 2023.

According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, the German glass industry ended 2024 with a 3.1% drop in revenue.

Total revenues of the German glass industry fell by 3.1% year-on-year to around 12.28 billion euros in 2023 (2022: 12.67 billion euros). Domestic and foreign revenues fell by 3.7% and 2.2%, respectively.

The performance of the insulating glass industry was in line with the previous year, with revenues rising by 0.1% to 3.48 billion euros (2022: 3.47 billion euros). The industry includes container glass and insulating glass.

The flat glass manufacturing division ended 2023 with a 10.4% drop in revenues to 1.10 billion euros (2022: 1.23 billion euros).

Revenues in the flat glass surface treatment business fell by 4.2% year-on-year to 4.64 billion euros (2022: 4.85 billion euros).

Fiberglass manufacturers experienced the largest drop in turnover. Revenues fell by 16.7% to €1.14 billion (2022: €1.37 billion).

^{Figure 1 The performance of the insulating glass industry and flat glass manufacturing}

In contrast, the special glass industry suffered modest losses. Revenues fell by 0.7% and total annual revenues fell to €1.71 billion (2022: €1.73 billion).

Dr. Christian Quenett, President of the Bundesverband Glasindustrie (BV Glas), said of the results:

“Since May 2023, the glass industry has been at an all-time low, which has had an impact on the overall performance.

“The overall economic situation remains difficult and we still do not see signs of a rapid improvement in the glass industry.

“However, the ifo business climate index stabilized at a low level in May. The glass industry has bottomed out. We expect a recovery in 2025.”

^{For more information about LIJIANG Glass insulating glass processing equipment and insulating glass processing solution, please click here to learn more.}