Industry is once again facing more frequent material shortages
According to the ifo Institute, material shortages in the industrial sector worsened in June. The chemical, electronics, and electrical industries have been particularly hard hit.
Industrial policy | Commentary
Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA): Associations criticize "Buy Europe" strategy
The Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) is intended to accelerate European industry. Business associations fear additional bureaucracy instead of real acceleration and are calling for fewer regulations and more strategy.
read more...ifo Institute lowers growth forecast
How much will the German economy grow in 2026?
The ifo Institute is revising its economic forecast downwards: It expects growth of just 0.1% in 2025 and 0.8% in 2026. The reasons for this are structural change, bureaucracy and US tariffs.
read more...The bottom of the valley is no place to linger
Where the precision tool industry stands now
At the press conference of the VDMA Precision Tools Association, the precision tools industry presents the annual balance sheet for 2025: production decline, export development, shortage of raw materials and outlook for 2026.
read more...German exports: sentiment improves, upward trend fails to materialize
Sentiment in the German export industry brightens slightly: Ifo export expectations rise to -1.2 points in January 2026. The automotive and electrical industries in particular expect exports to grow.
read more...Steel production slumps again in 2025
"2026 must be the year of securing the location!"
Steel production at crisis level in 2025: demand weak, import pressure high. Association head Rippel calls for 2026 to be the year to secure the location.
read more...Less material shortages in the industry?
According to the latest ifo survey, the supply of primary products to industry has eased. The automotive industry in particular is reporting significantly fewer material shortages.
read more...Electromobility as a stabilizing factor
Business climate in the automotive industry improves slightly
The business climate index for the automotive industry improves slightly in December 2025 Electromobility continues to gain in importance and reaches new highs.
read more...Structural change in the industry
Turnover from services reaches 166 billion euros
German industry is changing from a pure producer to a service provider: companies are increasingly focusing on product-related services such as consulting, assembly and maintenance. According to the ifo Institute, they generated more revenue in 2024 than the entire hospitality industry combined. Mechanical engineering, vehicle construction and the electrical industry are leading the trend.
read more...Annual balance sheet of the VCI 2025
German chemical industry in crisis: German Chemical Industry Association takes stock
The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) takes stock at today's press conference: 2025 was a difficult year for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry with declining sales, low production capacity utilization and increasing uncertainty for jobs and locations.
read more...Mechanical and plant engineering in Germany
Slight increase in incoming orders in October 2025
The VDMA reports a 4% increase in orders for the German mechanical and plant engineering sector in October 2025. Orders from non-euro countries in particular rose significantly, while domestic and euro orders remained stable. The details on the current order situation.
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