The aggregated window market in the DACH region has been in recession mode since 2022. While the market remained relatively stable in terms of volume that year, 2023 saw a significant decline, with sales dropping by 11.7% to 17.5 million window units. This downward trend continued in 2024, with a further decrease of 6.3% to 16.4 million units. The outlook for 2025 remains weak, with a projected slight decline of 1.2% to 16.2 million window units, according to a new study by Interconnection Consulting. New Construction Shrinks Significantly The high construction financing costs have had a considerable impact, particularly on window sales in new construction. Between 2022 and 2024, the aggregated DACH window market in new buildings shrank by 29.4% to 6.6 million window units. In contrast, the renovation segment remained positive in 2024, with a slight increase of 0.5% in volume. In 2025, 61.9% of all windows are expected to be sold in the renovation sector, while the share of new construction continues to decline. A recovery in the new construction segment of the DACH window market is not anticipated before 2026. Renovation Bonus Drives Growth in Austria’s Renovation Sector A significant upswing in the renovation segment of the DACH window market was only observed in Austria in 2024 (+7.5%). However, this growth started from a very low level. Unlike in Germany, Austria’s renovation market also shrank during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and continued to decline in 2022 and 2023, as more investments were directed toward photovoltaic systems and heating system replacements rather than building envelopes (window replacements). In 2025, the renovation sector is expected to recover in all three markets, as lower financing and material costs will add some momentum. “Recovery in new construction typically takes longer than in renovation, as building permits will only gain positive momentum starting in 2025,” explains Laszlo Barla, the study’s author. Decline in Market Share for PVC Windows Due to Weak Residential Construction As residential construction declined more sharply than non-residential construction in all three markets in 2023 and 2024, the share of pure PVC windows (excluding combinations) fell from 49.0% in 2022 to 48.3% in 2024. Pure wooden windows also declined, holding a market share of 11.0% in 2024, as high maintenance requirements make them less appealing in the current trend toward convenience. Meanwhile, metal windows gained some market share compared to 2022 (18.0%) and now stand at 18.5% in 2024. Window combinations have shown the highest growth dynamics, now accounting for 22.1% of the DACH market, with a particularly strong presence in Austria and Switzerland.

Last year, more than 190 thousand units were sold in the 6 most important European markets for biomass heating boilers, which represents a fall of 40.9% compared to the previous year. There are many reasons for this: declining interest in wood heating systems compared to other heat generators, problems with the environmental compatibility of this technology, keyword biomass potential, or poorly organized and sometimes overly bureaucratic subsidy programs, as the latest study by InterConnection Consulting shows.   Pellet Boilers on The Rise again after a Difficult Last Year   Despite the significant decline last year, pellet boilers remain the best-selling type of boiler in Europe with a market share of about 48%. In 2022, however, their market share was almost 75%, which is due to the various national subsidy programs, as pellet boilers usually receive preferential subsidies. This year, pellet boilers will rise again to 53% and a market share of 63% is expected by the end of 2027. The second most popular boiler type are wood log boilers with a market share of 24% in 2024, whose customers prefer the manual operation of this heating system and mostly live in densely wooded regions. In third place are so-called “combi boilers”, which can be equipped with both logs and pellets. The least common are wood chip boilers, which generate heat by burning wood chips or wood shavings. Compared to the other boiler types, the latter are overrepresented in the heating output classes above 50 kW and are therefore installed more frequently in non-residential buildings.   Fluctuating Renovation Segment Due to Subsidy Programs   Taking a closer look at the new construction and renovation/replacement business segments, the latter is clearly the larger one with a market share of around 92% (2023). By the end of next year, the market share will increase to 94.7%, but after that it will fall again due to the expiration of national subsidy programs and political uncertainties regarding renewable heat emitters. This trend is also due to the declining popularity of biomass boilers in the new construction segment: In Germany, for example, boilers are now only installed as central heating systems in less than 5% of apartments and detached houses.   Poland Saves The Industry with a Slight Plus   Sales figures also fell significantly in Poland last year, with a drop of almost 24%. However, positive growth rates are expected from this year until 2027 with an average growth rate from 2024 to 2027 of 9.3%. The main reasons for this development are as follows: Firstly, the government has launched the “Clean Air” subsidy program, with cost reimbursements of up to 100%, which incentivizes Polish citizens to replace their old oil and gas boilers and other fossil fuel-based heating appliances with newer and more environmentally friendly options such as heat pumps and boilers, and secondly, the proportion of applications for the purchase of an environmentally friendly boiler actually exceeds the proportion of applications for heat pumps. This is due to the declining popularity of heat pumps, mainly due to problems with scams and dubious manufacturers who tried to sell heat pumps as if they were of the highest quality, but ultimately did not meet international emission standards. This phenomenon makes Poland a special case in Europe and the Polish market thus stands in stark contrast to other European countries, where the market for biomass boilers is set to decline by double digits over the next three years. Heat pumps are seen as the better option in most European countries and it is therefore not surprising that the European boiler market as a whole will remain relatively stable over the next three years despite Poland's strong growth, meaning that the average volume growth rate from 2024 to 2027 is 0.3 %.   Manufacturers of heating biomass boilers should not limit themselves to the production of these products, but should also offer other heat emitters, in particular heat pumps, in order to be able to react quickly to the changing preferences of consumers and thus position themselves more strategically diversified. As the case of Poland shows, biomass boilers should not be ruled out as a heating solution in the future, but this market will shrink back to a niche market, at least according to the current situation.

According to the latest IC Market Forecast Global Flooring 2024 by Interconnection Consulting, the global flooring industry is set to grow by 3.9% in units sold by 2025. However, growth is uneven: Asia is projected to expand by 5.6%, supported by strong economic performance, a thriving construction sector, and the international expansion of its producers. Meanwhile, the Middle East is expected to grow by 6.9%, fueled by economic stability, a construction boom, and increasing demand for high-end flooring. In contrast, Europe and the U.S. will decline by -1.8% and -3.2%, respectively, due to weak construction activity and economic uncertainty. This shift underscores the growing dominance of emerging markets in the global industry and the relative stagnation of more established regions. Competitive Pressures and Industry Challenges Asian manufacturers are increasing their global market share with aggressive pricing, pressuring Western producers to focus on efficiency, automation, and digitalization. According to industry leaders and CEOs, labor shortages, high energy costs, and supply chain disruptions are major challenges. Companies are responding with workforce training, renewable energy investments, and improved logistics, though a full market recovery is not expected until 2026. Sustainability is gaining traction, particularly in Europe and North America, but remains a secondary priority for many players. Only 35.9% of industry respondents identify it as a key driver, reflecting slower regulatory adoption in other regions. Shifting Market Dynamics and Product Trends Ceramic tiles remain the dominant flooring category, holding a 44.4% market share in 2024, followed by elastic floor coverings (17.0%) and laminate (12.0%). While laminate is gaining traction (+5.2% by 2025) due to its affordability and easy installation, parquet and solid wood remain stagnant (+0.4%). The rise of DIY culture is also driving demand for modular flooring solutions, including click-and-lock systems, as more consumers seek cost-effective and easy-to-install options. Additionally, hybrid flooring solutions that combine the benefits of different materials are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in residential applications. Top 10 Global Flooring Companies Hold 35% of the Market The world's top 10 flooring companies—Armstrong Group, Boen, Bruce, Egger, Gerflor, Lamosa Group, Mohawk, Shaw Floors, Swiss Krono, and Tarkett (Alphabetically Ordered) —collectively control 35% of the global market. However, concentration varies by segment, with LVT reaching 42% in Europe and wood/parquet up to 32%. Despite this market share concentration, the industry remains highly fragmented in many regions, with a significant number of local and regional players competing for market share Future Outlook: Adapting to Market Shifts With the flooring market closely tied to construction, recovery depends on sector growth. Unlike energy-efficient materials, flooring lacks strong public subsidies, making it more vulnerable to downturns. By 2026, the market is expected to reach a value of €141.58 billion, favoring companies that optimize operations and adapt to shifting trends.

The Ho.Re.Ca coffee market in the CEE countries—including Poland, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia—has shown significant recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. After a sharp decline of 34.3% in 2020, falling to 20,142 tons, the market is now on a recovery path. In 2024, the CEE Ho.Re.Ca coffee market grew by another 2.8% to 28,683 tons, approaching the pre-crisis level of 2019 (30,661 tons). Manufacturer revenues, however, rose by 8.3% in 2024 to €504.7 million, significantly surpassing the pre-crisis level of 2019 (€426.6 million), according to a recent study by Interconnection Consulting.   Resilience Despite Price Pressure Despite facing strong price pressures over the past three years, the Ho.Re.Ca coffee market in CEE countries continues to demonstrate resilience and growth. Particularly impressive is the performance of Romania's market, where manufacturer revenues grew from €45.5 million in 2019 to €62.6 million in 2024. Similarly, the Croatian market expanded from €48.6 million to €60.6 million in the same period. Croatia is currently one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU, with rising real wages and private consumption driving demand in the hospitality sector. In Romania, out-of-home consumption is supported by increasing private consumption, a robust labour market, and rising wages and pensions. In Poland, the Ho.Re.Ca coffee market grew by over 12% in 2024 to €186.2 million, fuelled by continued price increases of over 8% during the year.   Coffee Pods & Capsules as a Niche Product in the Hospitality Sector Coffee pods and capsules (single servings) play a minor role in the overall CEE market, accounting for just 1.9% of the market by volume. However, due to their significantly higher average prices compared to ground coffee and whole beans, they represent 5.0% of the Ho.Re.Ca coffee market in value. Whole beans remain the dominant product, holding a 93.9% market share by volume. Pods and capsules are particularly popular in the hotel sector, especially for in-room amenities and breakfast areas. The hotel segment has seen a marked recovery in recent years and held a 20.8% market share by volume in 2024. This makes it only slightly smaller than the restaurant and catering segment, which holds a 22.9% share. The largest customer segment remains coffeehouses, with a 49.9% share. Bakeries and pastry shops play a minor role, accounting for 6.4% of the market, according to market analyst Laszlo Barla.   Strong Players and Growing Competition from Small Providers Julius Meinl maintains a strong presence across all nine countries, while Atlantic Grupa and Franck are particularly successful in Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia. The Strauss Group from Israel has a strong presence in Poland and Romania. Alongside these dominant market players, the competitive analysis also reveals a significant market share for smaller providers, indicating lower barriers to entry in the Ho.Re.Ca segment compared to the retail sector.