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Lime & Plaster Manufacturing in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Robert Maier Robert Maier Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: January 2024 WZ C23.52DE

Revenue

€3.2bn

2024

€3.4bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€XXX.Xm

Employees

6,121

Businesses

19

Wages

€XXX.Xm

Lime & Plaster Manufacturing in Germany industry analysis

Revenues in the lime and gypsum production industry have increased by an average of 5.3% per year over the last five years, which was primarily due to the sharp rise in energy prices in Europe in the second half of the last five-year period. Companies in the sector spend around 10 % of sector turnover on covering their energy costs. There was a downward trend in demand from the steel industry, the most important customer for industry products.In the current year, turnover in the sector is expected to total 3.2 billion euros. Compared to the previous year, this corresponds to an increase of 15.3%. The subdued business climate in the current year is likely to manifest itself in lower demand for lime products from important industrial customers and, in combination with the still higher prices for energy products compared to the long-term average, will have a negative impact on the earnings situation of industry players.In the next five years, turnover in the sector is expected to increase by an average of 1.8% per year to 3.5 billion euros. Increased investment in road construction by the German government is likely to support demand from the construction sector. Added to this is the positive development of the environmental protection sales market. Lime products are used to clean flue gases and acidic waters.

Trends and Insights

  • The lime industry is a very energy-intensive sector. Energy expenditure is one of the biggest cost items, as the raw materials have to be heated to very high temperatures to manufacture the industry's products.
  • Slaked lime is the most important product category in the industry. This type of lime is used in the construction industry, the chemical industry, in the production of fertiliser lime, but also in the production of pig iron.
  • The central region is home to the largest number of companies in the sector. The concentration of companies is particularly high in North Rhine-Westphalia, which is due to the large number of natural deposits there.
  • The lime and gypsum industry is characterised by intense competition. The industry is dominated by two major players, Rheinkalk GmbH and Fels-Werke GmbH. Numerous smaller manufacturers are also active in the industry.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 5.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €3.2bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The development of the sector is strongly influenced by the economic situation of domestic steel manufacturers

  • In terms of the amount of crude steel produced, the German steel industry is the largest producer in Europe. Germany is currently in eighth place worldwide. This makes the steel industry a large customer market for the lime and gypsum industry, especially as quicklime for the removal of carbon, silicon, phosphorus and manganese can hardly be replaced from an economic point of view.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Lime & Plaster Manufacturing 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

Key customers of industry players are facing major challenges, which is likely to have an impact on their demand

  • A serious threat to the future development of the industry is the partial loss of market segments. In the steel industry in particular, there are signs that production sites are being relocated to countries outside the European Union because domestic producers are being put under pressure by high energy prices and cheaper imports from abroad.

Biggest companies in the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue (€m)
2023
Rheinkalk GmbH
608.0
Fels-Werke GmbH
244.0
Vestische Hartsteinwerke GmbH & Co. KG
41.0

To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Lime & Plaster Manufacturing in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Unslaked lime, Plaster and Slaked lime. Unslaked lime is the largest segment of the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing in Germany.

Trends and Insights

Unslaked lime is mainly used for the desulphurisation of pig iron and flue gases

  • Slaked lime is also known as burnt lime, caustic lime or quicklime. It is a white powder that triggers a strong exothermic reaction on contact with water. Quicklime is produced by removing carbon dioxide from limestone, which is possible at around 800 degrees Celsius.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The lime and burnt gypsum production industry includes the production of slaked and unslaked lime as well as hydraulic lime. The production of gypsum from burnt gypsum stone or burnt sulphate and burnt dolomite also falls under this sector. The industry activities do not include the manufacture of gypsum products for construction or the manufacture of building materials from lime.

What's included in this industry?

Unslaked limePlasterSlaked limeHydraulic limeBurnt dolomite

Companies

Rheinkalk GmbHFels-Werke GmbHVestische Hartsteinwerke GmbH & Co. KG

Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

KALKHYDRATEEXOTHERMIC REACTIONPELLET

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 23.52 - Lime & Plaster Manufacturing 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 lime industry is a very energy-intensive sector. Energy expenditure is one of the biggest cost items, as the raw materials have to be heated to very high temperatures to ...

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

Slaked lime is the most important product category in the industry. This type of lime is used in the construction industry, the chemical industry, in the production of fertil...

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 central region is home to the largest number of companies in the sector. The concentration of companies is particularly high in North Rhine-Westphalia, which is due to th...

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

The lime and gypsum industry is characterised by intense competition. The industry is dominated by two major players, Rheinkalk GmbH and Fels-Werke GmbH. Numerous smaller man...

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

Rheinkalk GmbH is the largest domestic manufacturer of burnt and unburnt lime products. Rheinkalk operates ten lime works and two transport terminals.

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 Rheinkalk GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Fels-Werke GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Vestische Hartsteinwerke 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 2 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Rheinkalk GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Fels-Werke GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Vestische Hartsteinwerke GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The production volume in Germany is an indicator of the demand for lime. If the production volume grows, the processing companies generally need more lime to produce their go...

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

In 2023, the industry's profit margin is likely to be significantly below the average of the previous five-year period. The main reason for this is the rise in energy and com...

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 Lime & Plaster Manufacturing industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing industry in Germany is €3.2bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 19 businesses in the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 5.3 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing market in Germany are Rheinkalk GmbH, Fels-Werke GmbH and Vestische Hartsteinwerke GmbH & Co. KG

What does the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing in Germany include?

Unslaked lime and Plaster are part of the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is Rheinkalk GmbH.

How competitive is the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing industry in Germany?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Lime & Plaster Manufacturing industry in Germany.

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Competitors

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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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