Market for safety technology exceeds EUR 5 billion for the first time
In 2022, the market for electronic security technology in Germany could achieve a 5.2 percent increase in sales to over 5 billion euros.
Overall, safety technology in Germany is growing significantly, although there are differences between the individual trades," says Dirk Dingfelder, Chairman of the ZVEI Safety Association. "The trends of digitization and networking in security technology are continuing. The market is moving toward software-driven, networked products and systems and accompanying digital services," says Axel Schmidt, Chairman of the Board of BHE Bundesverband Sicherheitstechnik, explaining the upward trend in the market.
Integration in building technology
In addition to digitization and networking in security technology, Dingfelder sees integration in building technology as the basis for future market growth. "We have to look at the building as a whole in order to make further progress both in terms of security, but also energy efficiency, comfort and health."
The associations see the development of the construction industry and the legal framework as challenges. "Overall, the signs for construction are not quite so good for the future. The indicators for residential construction tend to point downward, and they are mixed for commercial and functional construction. This could mean a more difficult environment for safety technology," says Schmidt, looking to the future with cautious optimism. "With the European Construction Products Regulation, a legal act that is extremely important for us is currently being revised, which could have far-reaching consequences," Dingfelder explains. The shortage of skilled workers also continues to weigh on the industry.
Differences in growth between the individual trades
According to the BHE, sales of fire alarm technology - by far the largest trade in security technology, which is also heavily dependent on the construction industry - rose by 6.3 percent to 2.44 billion euros in 2022. Voice alarm systems will maintain their level with constant sales of 130 million euros.
Video systems showed an above-average development with an increase of 6.6 percent to 746 million euros. The wide range of possible applications and the flexibility of video security technologies in combination with other technologies are ensuring sustained high growth. According to the Federal Association, access control systems also performed well in the market with an increase of 8.1 percent to 454 million euros.
Robbery and burglar alarm systems were able to catch up in 2022 after a somewhat weaker phase recently, with growth of 1.8 percent to 891 million euros, according to the report. It remains to be seen how the discontinuation of KfW subsidies will affect the private burglary protection sector (currently, only KfW loans and the federal subsidies for efficient buildings are available).
According to the BHE, smoke and heat extraction systems including natural ventilation (RWA/NL) recorded a significant increase to 176 million euros. On the other hand, other technologies such as call systems in accordance with DIN VDE 0834, escape door systems, personal assistance call and other systems and components were slightly down. As a result, this block as a whole achieved a plus of 2.5 percent, as it concludes.
