The total turnover of the supplier companies in the ZVO Chemicals and Plants division fell by 11% in the 2024 calendar year. Both areas - equipment and chemicals - contributed to this negative development. However, the largest decline in turnover was recorded in the pre-treatment of plastics and the production of printed circuit boards.
Fewer employees, lower turnover
The number of employees in the Chemicals and Plants division fell by 9% from 2,409 to 2,200. Total turnover (588 million euros) includes 187 million euros from deliveries and services from plant engineering/components and 401 million euros from chemicals. Compared to 2023, turnover in the area of systems/components fell by 5% and total chemical turnover by 10%.
Trend towards bright chrome processes
In the most important category, "chemicals for electroplating", adjusted turnover fell by 4% overall in 2024 and by 8% in Germany, while international turnover increased slightly by 2%. The trend towards increased use of trivalent bright chromium processes is clearly reflected in the turnover statistics for the chemicals and systems specialist area: turnover here rose by 11% overall and by 7% in Germany. Chromating fell by 15 percent overall, with hexavalent chromating almost no longer playing a role. Despite an anxious view of the future, the members of the Chemicals and Plants division expect a consistently weak level, but no further decline in turnover.
Declining sales in coating too
In the ZVO specialist area of industrial coaters, turnover will fall by an average of 12.5% in 2024. The downturn expected in March 2024 materialized from the third quarter of 2024 and continues unabated. Although the burden of energy costs has decreased, they remain too high in an international comparison. New investments are being postponed or canceled altogether. Investments are being made to increase energy efficiency and modernize existing plants. Large plants are no longer being used to capacity and cannot be operated profitably at present, which is why some companies would rather have several small, flexible plants than one large one.
Cautiously optimistic for the future
Expectations for 2025 remain cautiously optimistic, with stagnation at the level of 2024 being a positive surprise, according to the association. Due to the political framework conditions and the persistently poor mood worldwide, there is a lack of optimism and confidence in the domestic customer markets.