Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €22.3bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Recycling companies reduce Germany's dependence on imports
- Raw metals are hardly mined in Germany anymore. For metals and individual industrial minerals in particular, German companies are 99% dependent on imports due to the low primary raw material deposits in Germany. The import value for stone and earth raw materials was around 30% in 2022.
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Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The industry benefits from being integrated into the expansion of the circular economy
- The circular economy approach encompasses the concepts of waste prevention and the recycling of resources. In 2018, the European Union adopted a circular economy package with measures for the entire product life cycle. The aim of the circular economy is the complete circulation of a product, if possible without the loss of raw materials and nutrients.
Biggest companies in the Materials Recovery in Germany
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Remondis SE & Co. KG | 5,029.5 | |
Scholz Recycling GmbH | 1,496.5 | |
Clarios Recycling GmbH | 1,035.5 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 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 Recycling of ferrous metals, Recycling of non-ferrous metals and Dismantling of ship and vehicle wrecks and other old goods. Recycling of ferrous metals is the largest segment of the Materials Recovery in Germany.
Trends and Insights
Revenue from the recycling of ferrous metals is increasing due to the rising price of steel
- Ferrous metals primarily include iron and steel. These are used in many areas of application. The materials required for recycling are generated in the form of production waste, for example during cutting or stamping. Another source of material is old scrap, which comes from consumer and industrial goods that are no longer used.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The industry comprises the recovery of metallic and non-metallic scrap materials and their processing into secondary raw materials. Its activities also include the dismantling of wrecks and old goods such as motor vehicles, ships, computers and televisions for material recovery. However, the industry definition does not include the treatment and disposal of waste.
What's included in this industry?
Recycling of ferrous metalsRecycling of non-ferrous metalsDismantling of ship and vehicle wrecks and other old goodsRecycling paper and cardboardRecycling of plasticsRecycling of mineral wasteCompanies
Remondis SE & Co. KGScholz Recycling GmbHClarios Recycling GmbHPurchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
CIRCULAR ECONOMYRECYCLINGANTI-DUMPING DUTYPRIMARY RAW MATERIALSSECONDARY RAW MATERIALSIndustry Code
WZ 38.3 - Materials Recovery 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 increase in metal prices has led to growth in industry turnover. In the medium to long term, metals are likely to become even more expensive and thus increase the attract...
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
Revenues from the recycling of non-ferrous metals have risen sharply in recent years. The main reason for this was the significant increase in the price of aluminium.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
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
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 distribution of businesses is closely linked to the population strength of the regions. Many goods for recycling and scrapping come from consumers. Accordingly, the dense...
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 industry is dominated by small and medium-sized companies, which often play a dominant role in their respective regions. Recently, however, more and more small companies ...
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
Delivery problems with used batteries threaten to paralyse Clarios' recycling activities. In addition, the company's profitability is suffering from the rising purchase price...
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 Remondis SE & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Scholz Recycling GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Clarios Recycling GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Remondis SE & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Scholz Recycling GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Clarios Recycling GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The slowdown in the construction industry is having a negative impact on sector development. Construction waste is partially utilised by recycling companies, and construction...
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
The increase in the price of metals has recently driven up the cost of materials. As the price increase could only be passed on to customers to a limited extent, the profit m...
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 Materials Recovery industry in Germany in 2024?
The market size of the Materials Recovery industry in Germany is €22.3bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Materials Recovery in Germany industry in 2024?
There are 818 businesses in the Materials Recovery industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 57.7 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Materials Recovery industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Materials Recovery industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 2.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Materials Recovery industry in Germany over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Materials Recovery industry in Germany is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Materials Recovery market in Germany?
The biggest companies operating in the Materials Recovery market in Germany are Remondis SE & Co. KG, Scholz Recycling GmbH and Clarios Recycling GmbH
What does the Materials Recovery in Germany include?
Recycling of ferrous metals and Recycling of non-ferrous metals are part of the Materials Recovery industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Materials Recovery in Germany?
The company holding the most market share in Germany is Remondis SE & Co. KG.
How competitive is the Materials Recovery industry in Germany?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Materials Recovery industry in Germany.
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Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
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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