Description
Clay brick market Germany: demand for backing bricks and forecast to 2031
How is the clay brick market in Germany developing? The dataset quantifies demand for load-bearing clay bricks in million m³ of masonry for every quarter from Q1/2021 to Q4/2031, as historical market data and forecast.
The dataset covers backing bricks for load-bearing external and internal walls: vertically perforated, precision-ground and insulation-filled bricks. Facing bricks and clinker form a separate dataset. Backing bricks lead in single- and two-family houses, while calcium silicate units tend to lead in multi-storey housing. Non-residential use is limited to small masonry buildings. In renovation, bricks go into extensions, added storeys, conversions and infill walls.
Demand depends almost entirely on new housing. Because masonry is laid early, a slump in housing starts shows up sooner than for finishing products; 2023 and 2024 brought the deepest slump in the industry’s history. High gas costs also hit energy-intensive brick production, and low-carbon construction acts as a structural brake. Calcium silicate, aerated concrete, lightweight concrete and, increasingly, timber construction compete for the same floor area, with brick losing share to timber. The recovery from 2026 is therefore subdued and does not reach pre-crisis levels. As renovation is more resilient, its share rises markedly in downturns.
Which questions about the clay brick market does the dataset answer?
- How sharply has demand for backing bricks in housing fallen, and when does recovery start?
- What share do new build and renovation contribute over time?
- How far below pre-crisis levels does brick volume remain up to 2031?
- How is consumption split between residential and non-residential buildings each quarter?
Who is the dataset for?
The dataset serves brick manufacturers, their suppliers of clay and insulation fillings, builders’ merchants and masonry contractors. Planners use it to assess walling choices; investors and analysts to evaluate capacities and energy cost risks.
Data basis and methodology
Values are split by new build/renovation and residential/non-residential buildings, plus the total market. The model links building completions, permits and renovation activity with parameters such as brick masonry volume per m² of floor area and the market share of brick in new housing; a lead before completion reflects the shell phase. The model was cross-checked against available market and industry data as well as internal data.
Delivered as CSV and Excel files, each in German and English, with 44 quarterly values. Related datasets: Calcium silicate units, Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), Timber frame elements (prefabricated) and all data on structural work, load-bearing structure and outdoor facilities.
