The market for containers and modular buildings in Germany, France, Austria, Poland and Italy recorded an increase of 10.6% in value last year and reached a volume of 3.2 billion euros. The sales volume increased by 8% in 2021. However, the market will shrink again by 2025, as the study by Interconnection Consulting shows. 

The market for containers and modular buildings will decline by an average of 1.5% per year until 2025, from 9.1 million to 8.9 million square metres of sales volume. The study distinguishes 3 product segments (modular buildings, container systems and rented room systems). Modular buildings dominate the market with a share of about 47% in value. This is followed by container systems and rented room systems, each accounting for about a quarter of the market volume. Modular construction is not only the largest segment, but with an 11.3% increase in turnover it also recorded above-average growth compared to the other product segments. The strongest use is in the private office and administration sector, with 450 million euros in turnover last year. The second largest sales area is public buildings, such as schools, with a market volume of 406 million euros.

Market Concentration Still Low

Container systems achieved a market share of about 27%. The total volume of this segment is 873 million euros. The segment grew by about 10% last year. The strongest demand is for office containers with 37% followed by sanitary containers and storage containers with a share of 20% and 23% respectively. Rented room systems are only close behind with a volume of 827 million euros. Compared to the other segments, this product group showed lower growth of 7.9% in 2021. In this segment, too, offices dominate the business with a share of around 40%, followed by the residential and warehouse segments, which each have a share of around 15%. Overall, the market concentration in the sector is still low. The top 10 companies such as Algeco, Containex, ALHO-Group, ELA account for around 40% of the market.