Europe Conveyor Market Outlook, 2029

The European conveyor system market is a major area within the larger material handling and logistics industry, driven by rising need for efficient, automated, and dependable transportation solutions across several industries. Conveyor systems were initially employed in mining and heavy industries to deliver raw materials and finished products. The technology improved throughout time to encompass increasingly sophisticated designs and materials, such as belt conveyors, roller conveyors, and chain conveyors. Conveyor systems advanced significantly following World War II, spurred by the demand for increasing productivity and efficiency in manufacturing and logistics.

The introduction of automation and robotics in the later half of the twentieth century significantly revolutionised the conveyor system market, allowing the creation of highly automated and integrated material handling. The COVID-19 epidemic had a significant impact on the European conveyor systems market. Initially, the pandemic interrupted supply chains and forced temporary shutdown of manufacturing facilities, creating delays in production and deliveries.

However, the epidemic has expedited the use of automated and contactless material handling technologies, as businesses seek to reduce human involvement while maintaining business continuity. The e-commerce sector, in particular, has seen an increase in demand as consumer behaviour shifts towards online buying. This, in turn, fuelled the demand for improved conveyor systems capable of handling larger volumes while ensuring timely deliveries.

According to the research report, "European Conveyor System Market Outlook, 2029,", the European conveyor system market is anticipated to add to more than USD 880 Million by 2024-29. The European conveyor system market is characterised by a complex network of import and export transactions. Europe imports a large proportion of its conveyor components and finished systems from nations such as China, Japan, and the United States. These imports include innovative materials, equipment, and technology that are not commonly available in the region. In contrast, Europe sells conveyor systems and solutions to a variety of locations, including North America, Asia, and the Middle East.

European firms use their experience in sophisticated conveyor technology to meet the global need for high-performance, energy-efficient material handling systems. The export industry is being driven by the increasing use of automation and robots in numerous industries, which necessitate advanced conveyor systems. Dow Chemical, Henkel, and BASF produce sophisticated materials for conveyor systems, such as adhesives, lubricants, and coatings.

Advanced equipment for conveyor systems, including as motors, drives, and control systems, is available from suppliers such as Siemens, ABB, and Rockwell Automation. Companies such as Schaeffler, SKF, and NSK manufacture crucial components for conveyor systems, such as bearings, rollers, and chains. Companies such as Amtek, Jabil, and Flex provide assembly and testing services for conveyor systems, ensuring the end product's reliability and functionality.

Market Drivers

• Automotive Industry Expansion: Conveyor systems are used extensively in the automotive industry, which requires efficient and dependable transportation solutions for parts, components, and finished vehicles. The automotive sector's expansion, spurred by rising demand for electric cars (EVs) and self-driving technology, is growing need for innovative conveyor systems.
• Strict Safety and Quality Standards: The market is driven by the demand for conveyor systems that meet high safety and quality standards. Food processing, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare industries all require conveyor systems to assure product integrity, hygiene, and regulatory compliance.

Market Challenges

• Regulatory and Trade Barriers: Tariffs, export controls, and intellectual property disputes are all examples of regulatory and trade barriers that might impede the expansion of the conveyor system market. These hurdles can disrupt supply chains, raise prices, and restrict market access, reducing European companies' competitiveness.
• Talent dearth: The conveyor system sector is experiencing a dearth of skilled workers, particularly in new technologies and automation. A shortage of qualified workers can stifle innovation, postpone the development of new technologies, and reduce European companies' competitiveness.

Market Trends

• Sustainable Packaging Solutions: The growing emphasis on environmental sustainability is driving the trend towards sustainable packaging. Conveyor systems that enable the creation of more energy-efficient and ecologically friendly material handling solutions are becoming increasingly popular. The utilisation of recyclable materials, reduced power usage, and prolonged product lifecycles are all important features of sustainable packaging.
• Collaboration and Partnerships: Collaboration and partnerships among industry actors, research institutions, and government agencies are becoming increasingly vital. These agreements promote innovation, standardise conveyor technologies, and boost Europe's position in the worldwide marketplace. Initiatives such as the European Material Handling Federation (FEM) and Horizon Europe promote collaboration and progress in the conveyor system business.

The automotive & transportation industry is the primary driver of the conveyor system market in the Europe region.

One of the key reasons for the automotive and transportation industries' dominance is the large volume and complexity of the production processes used. Automotive production lines require efficient and dependable conveyor systems to transfer parts, components, and finished vehicles through the many stages of assembly, painting, and inspection. Precision timing, high throughput, and low downtime make modern conveyor systems critical for sustaining production efficiency and quality. Furthermore, the automotive and transportation industries are distinguished by strict safety and quality requirements.

Conveyor systems in these industries must meet stringent performance and reliability standards to assure the safety and integrity of the finished goods. This involves the deployment of modern conveyor technology that can handle big loads, operate in hostile locations, and deliver consistent performance over long periods. Furthermore, the increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and self-driving technologies is driving conveyor system innovation. Electric vehicle production necessitates the use of specialised conveyor systems for battery assembly, charging systems, and other specific components.

Autonomous driving technologies also require complex conveyor systems to assemble and test sensors, cameras, and other sophisticated components.The Asia Pacific region is a global powerhouse for automotive manufacturing, with China, Japan, South Korea, and India all key contributors. The region's thriving automotive industry, bolstered by government efforts and investments, is boosting demand for innovative conveyor systems.

Belt conveyors are the most common form of conveyor system in the Europe region.

Belt conveyors' prominence stems mostly from their adaptability and broad range of applications. Belt conveyors can transfer a wide range of products, from small parts and components to huge and heavy things, making them useful in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, mining, and agriculture. Belt conveyors' adaptability allows them to be used in a variety of applications, contributing to their broad adoption. Additionally, belt conveyors provide high throughput and effective material handling capabilities. They can move enormous amounts of material swiftly and continuously, making them ideal for high-volume manufacturing and logistics operations.

Belt conveyors' constant motion promotes smooth and uninterrupted material movement, which improves overall operational efficiency. The Europe is one of the is a large markets for belt conveyors due to its strong manufacturing, mining, and logistics industries. The region's emphasis on automation, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness drives up demand for belt conveyors.

Daifuku, SSI Schaefer, and Honeywell Intelligrated are among the Asia Pacific conveyor system market's leading manufacturers of belt conveyors. Daifuku, a global producer of material handling equipment, provides a variety of belt conveyor solutions specialised to certain sectors. SSI Schaefer specialises in supplying high-performance and dependable belt conveyor systems to the logistics and manufacturing sectors.

In the European conveyor system market, automatic operations lead among manual, semi-automatic, and automatic modes.

One of the key reasons for automatic conveyor systems' popularity is its ability to increase production and efficiency. Automatic conveyor systems can work continuously without human intervention, resulting in increased throughput and faster processing times. Manufacturing, shipping, and e-commerce all require high-volume production and quick turnarounds, thus enhanced efficiency is critical. Furthermore, automatic conveyor systems provide greater accuracy and consistency. Automated systems can conduct repetitive activities with high precision and minimal errors, lowering the risk of human error while assuring constant product quality.

This is especially crucial in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food processing, and electronics, where precision and quality control are essential. Furthermore, automatic conveyor systems improve safety by lowering the chance of occupational injuries. Automated systems can handle hazardous chemicals and conduct activities in dangerous locations, reducing workers' exposure to possible hazards. This is especially essential in industries such as mining, chemical processing, and heavy manufacturing.

Dematic, SSI Schaefer, and Swisslog are among the leading manufacturers of automatic conveyor systems in Europe. Dematic provides a comprehensive range of automated conveyor solutions for numerous industries, including logistics, manufacturing, and retail. SSI Schaefer specialises in supplying high-performance and dependable automated conveyor systems to the logistics and manufacturing sectors.

Unit load conveyors are the market leader among bulk and unit load conveyors in Europe, owing to numerous major features.

One of the key reasons for unit load conveyors' popularity is their capacity to efficiently handle individual goods or packages. Unit load conveyors are intended to transport discrete goods such as boxes, cartons, pallets, and totes, making them perfect for industries requiring precise and controlled material handling. This capacity is critical in industries like as logistics, e-commerce, manufacturing, and retail, where efficient movement of individual goods is critical to preserving operational efficiency and accuracy. Furthermore, unit load conveyors are ideal for automating and integrating with Industry 4.0 technology.

The use of sensors, data analytics, and machine learning in unit load conveyor systems allows for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and improved performance. The European market is characterised by a heavy emphasis on automation, efficiency, and technical innovation. The region's dedication to Industry 4.0, as well as its adoption of new technologies like as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics, are driving up demand for unit load conveyors.

Government efforts and financing programs, such as Horizon Europe, also contribute to the development and implementation of automated material handling solutions. Dematic, SSI Schaefer, and Swisslog are among the leading manufacturers of unit load conveyors in Europe. Dematic provides a diverse range of unit load conveyor solutions for numerous industries, including logistics, manufacturing, and retail.

Germany is leading the European conveyor system market due to several key factors that make it a hub for innovation and growth in this sector.

One of the key reasons for Germany's dominance is its developed industrial and manufacturing sectors. Germany is home to numerous top corporations in a variety of industries, including automotive, manufacturing, electronics, and logistics. These sectors demand effective and dependable conveyor systems to optimise production processes, increase operational efficiency, and cut costs. The increasing demand for conveyor systems in various industries fuels market growth and innovation in Germany. Germany is also noted for its high technological capabilities and expertise in engineering and automation.

The country has a robust research and development infrastructure, with multiple universities, research organisations, and industry-academic alliances working to create cutting-edge conveyor technology. The Fraunhofer Institutes and the Technical University of Munich are at the forefront of innovation. Furthermore, Germany receives significant government funding and efforts targeted at encouraging the adoption of sophisticated technology and stimulating innovation. Horizon Europe and the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) on Microelectronics fund and support research and development in conveyor systems and associated technologies.

These activities help Germany maintain its position as a leader in the European conveyor system market. Leading businesses in the German conveyor system market include SSI Schaefer, Dematic, and Swisslog. SSI Schaefer provides a comprehensive range of innovative conveyor solutions for diverse industries, including logistics, manufacturing, and retail. Dematic offers innovative and customised conveyor systems for the logistics and industrial industries. Swisslog is well-known for its sophisticated conveyor technology, which improves operational efficiency and output.

• In 2012, Dematic established a regional office in Germany to serve the European market and push conveyor system innovation. This move bolstered Dematic's footprint in the region and improved its capacity to provide tailored solutions.
• In 2014, the European Commission announced the Horizon 2020 initiative, which provides significant financing for advanced technology research and development, including conveyor systems. This project sought to improve Europe's competitiveness in the global marketplace.
• In 2019, Interroll, a global provider of material handling solutions, established a new production facility in Germany to develop sophisticated conveyor components and systems for the European market.

Considered in this report

• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report

• Conveyor market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Industry

• Automotive & Transportation
• Food & Beverage
• Chemical & Pharmaceutical
• Construction & Mining
• Consumer Electronics
• Other

By Type

• Belt
• Roller
• Pallet
• Overhead
• Others

By Operation

• Manual
• Semi-automatic
• Automatic

By Load

• Bulk
• Unit

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases.

After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Conveyor industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.