German rubber industry urges 'immediate policy action' as sales, output weaken

Berlin, Germany – Germany’s rubber industry (WDK) has called for urgent industrial policy measures, warning that weakening sales, lower production and rising pressure on the country’s manufacturing base are threatening long-term competitiveness.

Speaking at the 2026 Day of the Rubber Industry in Berlin 28 April, WDK president Michael Klein said the challenges facing industry were 'well known' and required action rather than further promises.

“The challenges have long been known – now we finally need concrete measures instead of more announcements,” Klein said.

Germany, he said, could no longer afford delays and urged policymakers to replace declarations of intent with actopm that would "immediately relieve companies of bureaucracy and energy costs."

“Manufacturing industry is the backbone of the German economy and a guarantor of prosperity,” he said. “The erosion process of Germany as a production location must finally be stopped.”

Klein cited the latest results of a member survey, which showed turnover and sales volumes in the German rubber industry were "predominantly declining."

Production levels were also expected to fall compared with the previous year, he added, noting that the trend "is a clear warning signal.” 

According to the WDK chief, many companies had exhausted their options at domestic sites and, without political support, overseas investment was becoming the only alternative.

“Germany is continuously losing industrial substance,” he said.

“If the federal government does not counteract now, it risks permanent location losses.”

He added that political leaders knew what needed to be done but had failed to act for too long.