Wetzlar/Frankfurt - The global thermotechnology market increased by 4 percent to EUR 24.4 billion in 2006, mainly driven by strong demand for efficient condensing boilers and systems using renewable energies. Both segments expanded at double-digit rates. Systems using renewable energies accounted for 14 percent of the total market in 2006, up from approx. 12 percent in the previous year.

“The desire for affordable and reliably available energy and the growing concern about the climate change have led to growing awareness of energy efficiency issues. The efficient heating of buildings has increasingly become the subject of political initiatives.” said Dr.-Ing. Joachim Berner, Chairman of the Bosch Thermotechnology Division. In Spain, for example, the use of solar energy has been made compulsory by the 2006 Buildings Directive.

Presented by Bosch Thermotechnik at the ISH show in Frankfurt, the "Market Report 2006" provides comprehensive market data and valuable insights into the structure and development of the global thermotechnology market. The Report also highlights current trends and presents the individual market segments.

Resource-efficient condensing technology generated global sales of EUR 2.6 billion in 2006. Europe is the main market, with 10 percent of the sales of condensing boilers generated outside Europe. The dynamic market growth of 25 percent in this segment is mainly attributable to the UK, where condensing boilers have almost completely replaced conventional boilers in the course of only two years following the amendment of a law. In 2006, condensing boilers won market share also in other European countries, especially in Belgium and France.

Systems using renewable energies generated global sales of EUR 3.4 billion in 2006, up 20 percent on the previous year. The strong growth is attributable to increasing customer interest and government support. Solar collectors generated sales of EUR 1.2 billion in 2006, which represents about one third of this segment. The installed collector area rose by 13 percent to 19.6 million square metres. 74 percent of the installed collector area is in Asia, especially in China, which is the single most important solar thermal market by far.

According to Bosch estimates, the global thermotechnology market will grow by 3 percent to roughly EUR 25 billion in 2007. In particular, demand for efficient condensing boilers, electric heat pumps and solar collectors is projected to pick up. At the same time, growing prosperity in Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America will open up new growth markets to thermotechnology manufacturers.

Media contact:

Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH
Thomas Pelizaeus
Phone: +49 (6441) 418 1729
E-mail: Thomas.Pelizaeus@de.bosch.com

Head of Communications:

Dr. Ingo Rapold
Phone: +49 (6441) 418 1739
E-mail: Ingo.Rapold@de.bosch.com