The European Union (EU) is investing heavily in industrial robots. A total of nearly 72,000 new industrial robots will be installed in the 27 EU member states by 2022. This represents a 6% increase from a year earlier.
This is according to figures shared by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). "The top five embracing countries within the EU are Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Poland," said Marina Bill, president of the IFR. "They account for about 70% of all industrial robots installed in the EU by 2022."
Germany is biggest sales market
Germany leads the way in this regard and is by far the largest market for robots in the EU. Around 26,000 units will be installed in German locations by 2022, which is a 3% increase from a year earlier. This represents 37% of all robots installed in the EU. Globally, Germany's robot density is the fourth largest, leaving the country ahead of only Japan, Singapore and South Korea.
In Germany, the automotive industry is largest consumer of industrial robots. 27% of all newly installed robots will be installed in this sector by 2022. In absolute numbers, it amounts to 7,100 robots. Incidentally, this does represent a 22% drop from a year earlier. The IFR speaks of cyclical investment behaviour, which is characteristic of this segment.
In German industry in general, the metal industry is the biggest buyer of industrial robots with 4,200 units last year. The number is higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic, when it was about 3,500 units per with a peak of 3,700 units in 2019. In the plastics and chemicals sector, the number of installed units is now also at pre-pandemic levels. The number of installations is up 7% to 2,200 units.
Nearly 12,000 new robots in Italy
Italy is the second largest market within the EU after Germany. Nearly 12,000 industrial robots will be installed in Italy by 2022, which is a record amount. The number is up 10% from year earlier. 16% of the total number of robots installed is on Italian soil.
The metal industry and mechanical engineering are the biggest buyers within Italy. A total of 3,700 units were delivered to these sectors, which is an 18% increase from a year earlier. Robot sales in the plastics and chemicals sectors have grown by 42%; in absolute numbers, this is 1,400 units. The food and beverage sector is also a major customer. The number of installations in this sector within Italy is up 9% to some 1,400 units.
Demand from the Italian automotive industry is actually down 22% to 900 units. Within this segment, Stellantis Group is the largest buyer.
15% more installations in France
France follows Germany and Italy and is the third largest market in the EU. The total number of industrial robots installed has increased by 15% year-on-year to a total of 7,400 units. This makes the French sales market only a third of the German market in terms of size.
The metal industry is the main buyer of industrial robots in France. The sector accounted for 22% of all newly installed ones. In absolute numbers, 1,600 units were involved in 2022. This represents a 23% increase from a year earlier. The automotive sector was also a major customer with 1,600 units. The number of units installed in this sector rose 19%, while the sector accounts for a 21% market share.
The IFR expects a €100bn investment package from the French government aimed at smart factory equipment to boost French investment in the coming years. This package was introduced by the French government in mid-2021.
Automotive industry is main sales market in Spain
Spain, the number of newly installed robots increased by 12% to a total of 3,800 units. For years, the automotive industry has been the main buyer in the country. The International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) reports that Spain is the second largest car manufacturer in the EU after Germany. The Spanish automotive industry took a total of 900 industrial robots, which is a 5% increase from a year earlier. The metal industry invested the same number of industrial robots. In this sector, the number of installations increased by 20%. Both sectors together account for almost 50% of all robots installed by 2022 in Spain.
In Poland, the number of installed industrial robots is rising for the ninth year in a row. In 2022, the annual figure is 3,100 units. This is slightly lower than the record set in 2021, when 3,500 units were installed. Demand from the metal and mechanical engineering industries rose 17% to 600 units in 2022. Demand from the automotive industry fell 37% to around 500 units. As in Germany, the IFR attributes this to cyclical investment behaviour. The war in neighbouring Ukraine is also depressing demand from the manufacturing industry.
Looking at Europe including non-EU countries, a total of 84,000 new industrial robots will be installed by 2022. This is 3% more than in 2022. This means the EU will account for over 85% of the European sales market.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Source photo: Pixabay / Antonio Hernández
