published 24.09.2024 at 11:49
Sales of industrial robots remain high – but have declined slightly in the past year. (Symbolic image) © Jan Woitas/dpa
Global sales of industrial robots fell at a high level last year – and will probably remain there for the time being due to the weakening global economy. In 2023, around 541,300 new systems were installed in factories around the world, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) in Frankfurt. Compared to the previous year’s peak, this represents a decrease of 2.1 percent. Sales of industrial robots exceeded the half-million mark for the first time in 2021. The reason was the economic recovery after the first year of Corona.
IFR Secretary General Susanne Bieller said: “The decline is linked to developments in China. The growth engine there is stuttering.” The People’s Republic is by far the largest single market for manufacturing robots. More than half of all new machines were installed there last year. “Contrary to the trend, Europe is the only continent that has recorded a significant increase in installation figures of nine percent.”
Many robots purchased for electric car factories
In 2023, the automotive industry will still have invested heavily in new industrial robots. (Symbolic image) (© Jan Woitas/dpa)
The increase is therefore largely driven by the positive development in Germany, the most automated economy in Europe. Almost a third of the approximately 28,400 new systems were purchased by the automotive industry. And thus significantly more than in the previous year.
“Numerous robots were purchased for the production of electric cars,” explained Bieller. But there were also catch-up effects. “In 2022, numerous projects were initiated that could only be completed later due to delivery difficulties with electronic components.” The automotive industry is traditionally the largest buyer of robots in this country – but is currently in crisis. In the past, the industry had expected more sales of electric cars – and invested heavily in new factories. These are currently not at full capacity.
Stagnation in Germany
2023 will therefore not be repeated any time soon. “Orders have already fallen in the current year. 2024 and 2025 will be rather weak years. We expect a sideways trend,” Bieller made clear. Growth is not expected again in this country until 2026. Globally, the numbers are likely to rise again next year. However, the mark of 600,000 new robots per year that was targeted a year ago is initially receding into the distance.
