German Printing Industry Investment Climate Strong, Emphasizes Replacement and Cost Cuts

The Bundesverband Druck und Medien (BVDM), together with the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) and 19 other industry associations, surveyed printing and media companies in Germany from March to April 2026. The study found that investment activity in the sector remains high and the financing climate has stayed relatively stable since the 2024 survey. Companies are concentrating on replacement investments and cost‑reduction measures to keep existing machinery and infrastructure operational, while growth‑oriented motives rank lower.

Access to credit is generally rated positively, but firms with annual revenues below €1 million report considerably more difficulty obtaining loans than larger enterprises. Equity ratios have stayed stable, although rating outlooks show signs of deterioration.