ZVO-FB Chemicals, plants and industrial coaters with declining sales

Both the ZVO Plant and Chemicals divisions contributed to this negative economic development, with the largest decline in sales being recorded in the pre-treatment of plastics and in the production of printed circuit boards, which had a significant impact on the decline in overall sales. The total number of employees in the Chemicals and Plants division fell from 2,409 to 2,200 (-9%). The total turnover (588 million euros) is divided into 187 million euros in 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%. A trend from 2022 and 2023, when conversions saw a significant jump in turnover, did not continue in 2024: while investments in new plants rose slightly by 2% overall, conversions turnover fell by 34% overall last year. 2024 was not a good year in the chemicals sector either: overall, total chemicals turnover fell by 10%, divided between domestic -9% and international -12%.

Mixed sales figures for electroplating and coating

In the most important category, "chemicals for electroplating metal deposition", 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. A reliable outlook for 2025 is difficult in view of geopolitical developments. Despite looking to the future with concern, the members of the Chemicals and Plants division expect a consistently weak level, but no further decline in turnover. In the ZVO specialist area of industrial coaters, turnover fell 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 by international standards. Grid fees will become a permanent cost burden that companies will not be able to influence.

Expectations for 2025 remain cautiously optimistic

New investments will be postponed or canceled altogether. Investments that are made will serve 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 four small, flexible plants than one large one. It is still possible to find suitable specialist staff. There is currently no shortage of skilled workers. Temporary employment agencies are also able to offer workers again. However, FB members are using significantly fewer temporary workers than a year ago. Expectations for 2025 continue to be cautiously optimistic, with stagnation at the 2024 level, anything else would be a positive surprise. 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.