Production of process technology machinery and apparatus dropped from EUR 7.1 billion in 2008 to EUR 6 billion in 2009. This represents a decline of 15.2%. Compared with the mechanical engineering sector as a whole, which suffered a drop in production of almost 25%, the sub-sector has got off lightly for the time being: one characteristic of the process technology machinery, apparatus and plant engineering industry is that throughput times are relatively long in relation to the average for the mechanical engineering sector. More than a year often elapses between the placing of an order and delivery. Owing to the resulting backlog of orders, the effects of the crisis only became really noticeable in the course of 2009, when expected orders were not received.

Not all areas of the process technology machinery and apparatus sector saw the same trend. Process technology is very heterogeneous and the areas in which process technology machinery and apparatus is used are correspondingly diverse. Production levels change in parallel with economic developments in the various areas of use. In line with the isolated closures of complete chemical plants, the production of apparatus, machinery and plants for the chemical industry experienced a decline. Manufacturers of components and systems for water purification and waste water treatment benefited once again from economic stimulus and environmental protection packages and increased the production volume in terms of value by 5.6% to EUR 850 million in 2009. Water and waste water technology accounts for 14% of overall production of process technology machinery and apparatus.

Production of apparatus, machinery and plant for the chemical industry fell year-on-year by 26% to EUR 2.3 billion in 2009. This decline is difficult to offset, given that this area of business accounts for 38% of overall production of process technology machinery and apparatus.

Production of heat exchangers fell by 17% to EUR 756.2 million in the same period. This means that they accounted for 13% of production.

German manufacturers of process technology machinery and apparatus export their products to over 150 countries worldwide. Following many years of steady growth, exports fell again for the first time by 14% to EUR 4 billion in 2009.

Although exports to the EU-27 fell by almost 20%, the region is still the biggest sales market for process technology machinery and apparatus, with a share in exports of 40%. German exports to East Asia (including China and the Republic of Korea) rose by 13.3% to EUR 643 million. This means that East Asia has moved up to second place with a 16% share in exports, ahead of the rest of Europe (13%) and North America (7%). Almost two thirds of exports to East Asia go to China alone.

In the "Rest of Europe" region, Russia is the most important market, although exports there fell by 45% to EUR 154 million in 2009.

In the rankings of sales markets, the Middle East comes directly after the USA, with a 7% share in exports. Exports to the region remained more or less stable. The largest sales market there is Saudi Arabia, which saw a 28% rise in exports to EUR 102 million.

VDMA Process Plant and Equipment Association expects a dramatic deterioration in 2010 - even if the order situation were to see a significant and immediate improvement, the economic situation in the process technology industry would not be expected to improve until the end of 2010 at the earliest.

Stimuli from abroad are currently being provided by South America, Central and South Asia and Africa. Orders from the Europe region have also increased again, at least in the first quarter of 2010, although they are still a long way from the previous year's level.