60% of the turnover
“The domestic market is very important for us, we generate about 60% of our turnover in Germany. The biggest advantage is our proximity to our customer, which means we can be even more flexible”, he replies. “Especially in the area of bevel varnish, we are very well established in Germany.”
It is no secret, the past months the German market was slowing down. How does Heidelberg Coatings experience this? And how has the way the market works changed?
“This is totally correct, we are already noticing the change. Especially in the bevelled varnish sector, we notice how the laminate production is declining. However, the higher priced flooring sector has remained at the same level so far.”
“Another thing we notice is how the processors and customers are taking more time to make trials and investments. There is also a noticeable big interest in the parquet sector for products that are processed with LED curing, more in particular LED varnishes and oils.”

Pros and cons of Germany
Producing in Germany must have its pros and cons. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this location for the European and international markets respectively?
“We have decades of experience with German producers whose requirements we know, but which are also becoming increasingly specific and constantly challenge us. The proximity of our customers in Germany is of course also important in terms of sustainability”, Mr. Straub reacts.
To guarantee a bright future, companies tend to invest a lot in the development of new products. From previous talks, we remember Heidelberg Coatings was very active in this field, namely in the development of LED oils and varnishes, both coloured and colourless. Could we get some more information about this?
“Our Natur Reaktiv Ölwachs 1380-0050 is a good example of how we work towards the future. This product is an LED curing oil wax for rolling. It is environmentally friendly and virtually solvent-free, which allows us to work towards thé main working point of today: sustainability. Natur Reaktiv Ölwachs 1380-0050, that is DIN EN 71-3 and DIN 68861-1 certified, is used for natural furniture and parquet surfaces on which you want to achieve a pronounced oil character. Particularly noteworthy are the pleasant feel and the ability to enhance the original beauty of the wood.”

Optimism rules
One last question to direct us back to the German market. Are there certain trends our interlocutor sees that are typical for the German market and how does he see the German market evolve in general?
“From the point of view of sustainability, the LED technology for matt surfaces in the parquet area in doing great in my own country”, Mr. Straub concludes. “For the future of the German market in general, we are optimistic, despite all the difficulties. In any way, we hope to further expand our position on the market through both our flexibility and our proximity to the customer.”