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The Sawyer robotic from Rethink Robotics, a German-based robotics firm after its acquisition from the Hahn Group. | Supply: Rethink Robotics

The German robotics and automation trade is poised to hit an all-time excessive in 2023, in line with the VDMA Robotics + Automation Affiliation. The trade is forecast to extend gross sales by 13% in 2023, reaching 16.2 billion euros (round $17.7 billion).

This is a rise from estimations that VDMA Robotics + Automation made earlier within the 12 months, when the affiliation anticipated the sector to develop 9% in 2023.

“The robotics and automation trade is on track for progress,” Frank Konrad, chairman of VDMA Robotics + Automation, stated. “In 2023, the earlier report consequence from 2018 of 15.1 billion euros with an anticipated turnover of 16.2 billion euros ought to be considerably exceeded. Full order books are at present shaping the market scenario. In the course of the pandemic, suppliers have constructed up massive order books, which the easing bottlenecks within the provide chains are actually being labored off step-by-step. Our trade is lastly leaving the pandemic behind.”

Vital sub-sectors have developed properly in 2022 and can proceed to develop in 2023. The commercial picture processing division, for instance, grew 11% in 2022, with gross sales reaching 3.4 billion euros.

The built-in meeting options sub-sector additionally noticed progress in 2022, with gross sales rising by 5% to succeed in 7.4 billion euros, and is predicted to develop by 17% this 12 months, with gross sales reaching 8.7 billion euros.

Whereas robotics gross sales solely elevated 1% in 2022 to three.5 billion euros, 2023 ought to fare higher for the sector. VDMA Robotics + Automation expects it to develop by 12% in 2023 to three.9 billion euros.

Germany faces international competitors

Regardless of this progress, VDMA Robotics + Automation expects Germany to fall behind China in robotic density by the tip of 2023. Germany was the fourth-most automated nation worldwide in 2020 and 2021, with the nation reaching 397 industrial robots for each 10,000 staff in 2021, in line with the Worldwide Federation of Robotics (IFR).

Whereas Germany’s robotics trade has been rising, China’s has been rising at a way more fast tempo. The nation noticed an enormous leap in robotic installations in 2021, placing it forward of the US for the primary time. China’s industrial robotics market noticed 243,300 installations in 2021, a 44% improve from the 12 months earlier than.

“We welcome the initiative of the Federal Chancellor’s Future Council to strengthen robotics and automation in Germany,” Konrad stated. “In view of the brand new challenges, there isn’t a time to relaxation in worldwide competitors.

Particularly, Germany’s robotics and automation trade has numerous room for progress in service sectors, which generate 70% of the general financial worth added for the nation.

The VDMA Robotics + Automation Affiliation is a commerce affiliation that’s made up of greater than 370 member firms. These firms embody suppliers of parts and methods for robotics, built-in meeting methods and machine imaginative and prescient.