Europe Sandwich Panels Market Size Analysis Report - Market Share, Forecast Trends and Outlook (2025-2034)

The Europe sandwich panels market was valued to reach a market size of USD 3.70 billion in 2024. The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.10% during the forecast period of 2025-2034. The growing demand for sustainable construction methods and products, rising technological advancements and infrastructure developments are key drivers of the sandwich panel market, thus aiding the market to attain a valuation of USD 6.09 billion by 2034.

Europe Sandwich Panels Market Overview

The solid thermal insulation properties offered by sandwich panels is increasing its adoption in buildings, prefabricated units, cold storages and industrial structures.

The prominent commercial construction in Europe is creating a demand for sandwich panels. As per the Europe sandwich panels market report, in June 2024, construction production in the euro area increased by 1.0% compared to June 2023. Further, non-residential construction grew by 1.5%. In 2023 with the highest growth in non-residential construction being observed in Sweden (10%), followed by Lithuania (8.7%) and Spain (7.3%).

Europe is transitioning towards to a net zero economy by 2030, as part of its European Green Deal and European Climate Law. Sandwich panels play a significant role in sustainable construction due to their prominent thermal insulation properties. The energy-efficient materials help lower energy consumption and reduce CO2 emissions, while also enhancing environmental comfort and generating cost savings.

Figure: European Union Building permits - number of dwellings (In Thousand), 2018-2023

Additionally, the thermal insulation properties of EPS panels are considered to lower energy consumption by upto 50%, significantly contributing to the regions net zero targets.

In 2023, the EU invested 5.8% of its GDP into housing, with significant variations among member states. Countries like Cyprus, Italy, and Germany had higher shares of investment, ranging from 6.4% to 8.6%. This increasing demand for housing across the region naturally translates into a rising need for construction materials, such as sandwich panels. These panels, known for their energy efficiency and ease of installation, are in high demand for new residential and commercial buildings. As investments in housing grow, so too does the demand for advanced building materials, driving the Europe sandwich panels market forward.

Despite a slight decline in building permits in 2023, following a peak in 2021, the need for housing remains strong. This decline highlights a shift towards prefabricated buildings and modular construction, which offer faster and more cost-effective solutions. Sandwich panels play a crucial role in this trend, driving the market forward as demand for sustainable construction methods increases.

Figure: Investment in housing, 2023 (in % of GDP)

Europe Sandwich Panels Market Growth

Europe is undergoing a large number of renovation activities that is creating a heightened demand for sandwich panels. By January 2030, the EU regulations mandate that 15% of the worst-performing buildings in terms of energy efficiency must be renovated, with an additional 10% to be upgraded by January 2034.

There is a growing emphasis on energy efficiency and insulation in cold storage to reduce operational costs and improve sustainability. For example, NewCold’s plant in Fiorenzuola d'Arda, Europe’s largest cold logistics centre, boosted energy efficiency by 60% through the use of Isofrozen panels, setting new standards for energy-efficient logistics with innovative design and advanced systems.

Sandwich panels, often made from recyclable materials, help reduce emissions during both manufacturing and the operational phase. By improving material efficiency, they can save up to 80% of emissions, making them a key driver of sustainable construction in Europe and boosting the growth of the Europe sandwich panels market.

Key Trends and Developments

Rising need for energy-efficient buildings, rising construction activities, and growing adoption of sustainable materials drive Europe sandwich panels market growth.

November 2024

Invespanel, a part of Kingspan became the first sandwich panel producer in Spain and Portugal to use ArcelorMittal’s organic coated XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel. This partnership resulted from co-engineering efforts aimed at developing construction solutions with a reduced carbon footprint in the building sector.

May 2024

ArcelorMittal Construction completed the acquisition of Italpannelli SRL in Italy and Italpannelli Iberica in Spain. Italpannelli, a manufacturer of lightweight insulation panels for roofs and façades, operated two production plants across Europe, in Zaragoza (Spain) and Abruzzo (Italy). The two facilities combined to operate seven production lines, with a capacity of thirteen million m² of sandwich panels per year.

March 2023

ArcelorMittal Construction completed the acquisition of the German insulation panel manufacturer Italpannelli Germany, which was subsequently renamed Trier Insulated Panels. This acquisition complemented the existing geographic presence and strengthened the product portfolio of ArcelorMittal Downstream Solutions' construction business.

February 2023

Kingspan launched QuadCore LEC, which was developed specifically to reduce the carbon footprint of the buildings it was used on. Using comparative Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) data to the EN15804-A2 standard, this breakthrough in insulated panel technology demonstrated a 21% reduction in embodied carbon in modules A1-A3 (product stage) for QuadCore AWP in a 100mm thickness.

The Growing Demand for Energy-Efficient Materials in Europe

There is a rising need for energy-efficient and sustainable construction materials in Europe, driven by the EU’s stringent energy regulations. EU countries must achieve cumulative end-use energy savings for the entire obligation period (2021-2030), equivalent to new annual savings of at least 0.8% in 2021-2023, 1.3% in 2024-2025, 1.5% in 2026-2027, and 1.9% in 2028-2030. Sandwich panels, known for their superior insulation properties, present an opportunity to meet this demand, thus boosting the Europe sandwich panels market development.

Rising Construction Prices in the EU Drive Adoption of Sandwich Panels

The EU's growing housing crisis, with rents rising by 23% and house prices by 48% between 2010 and 2023, has driven the demand for affordable housing solutions. This has led to a rise in modular and prefabricated homes, offering quicker and more cost-effective construction. Consequently, there is a growing opportunity for sandwich panels, which provide superior insulation, energy efficiency, and cost savings, making them an ideal choice for modular homes, and increasing the demand of Europe sandwich panels market.

Technological Advancements drive the growth of the market

Ongoing innovations in sandwich panel materials, such as improvements in insulation capabilities, fire resistance, and durability, open new opportunities for manufacturers to cater to a broader range of industries, including commercial, industrial, and residential sectors. Companies such as ArcelorMittal Construction, and Kingspan Group Plc are incorporating such practices, impacting the Europe sandwich panels market revenue.

Increasing demand for cold chain solutions in Europe drives popularity of sandwich panel

The cold chain industry in Europe continues to witness a very high demand for cold storage, driven by the rising demand for storing perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. As per the Europe sandwich panels market analysis, the European market for PUF sandwich panels is poised for significant growth due to increasing demand for cold storage solutions, particularly in the fresh produce sector. These panels demonstrate excellent thermal insulation properties, making them ideal for various cold storage applications. The versatility of PUF sandwich panels is evident in their wide-ranging applications, from cold rooms storing perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, to blast freezers for rapid product freezing, clean rooms for pharmaceutical applications, and temperature-controlled warehouses. The panels' effectiveness in maintaining specific temperature requirements and providing necessary insulation positions them as a crucial component in the cold chain infrastructure.

Europe Sandwich Panels Market Trends

The core material acts as a stiffener, evenly distributing loads across the panel, while the outer skins protect the core from damage. This unique structure allows sandwich panels to withstand heavy loads and extreme weather conditions and support the Europe sandwich panels market expansion. Despite their lightweight nature, these panels are remarkably strong. Different types of sandwich panels offer specific strength characteristics. For example, EPS panels are recognised for their sturdiness and resistance to moisture, while PUF panels offer load-bearing capabilities, making them appropriate for sectors that require elevated safety measures. The longevity of sandwich panels guarantees an extended lifespan, even under severe environmental conditions. Their robustness and endurance render them perfect for a range of applications, comprising buildings, aerospace, and transportation.

Modern building materials including sandwich panel offers several advantages over traditional materials, which include quick installation, durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness, among others. Furthermore, long-term savings in energy costs and reduced maintenance outweigh the potentially higher initial cost, associated with sandwich panels. Additionally, the strong demand for sandwich panel across various sectors including industrial buildings, infrastructure projects, institutional buildings, and various other construction sites, further drives the demand of the Europe sandwich panels market.

Europe Sandwich Panels Market Opportunities

The Europe sandwich panels industry is experiencing significant growth opportunities driven by the EU's strong commitment to sustainable construction and circular economy principles. The EU Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan have created a favourable policy environment that prioritises building material efficiency and reduced climate impact through circularity. These panels contribute to creating energy-neutral or energy-producing buildings through their superior insulation properties and recyclable nature. Furthermore, the lightweight metal construction materials utilised in sandwich panels are significantly fostering circular buildings while decreasing energy requirements and embodied carbon in construction. This aligns seamlessly with Europe's emphasis on energy-efficient infrastructure and objectives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and propelling the sandwich panels demand growth.

Europe Sandwich Panels Market Restraints

A primary concern is the limited fire resistance of these panels, particularly those constructed with foam core materials, which can be susceptible to rapid flame spread and pose significant safety risks. Another substantial weakness in the Europe sandwich panels market lies in the panels' vulnerability to moisture absorption over time, which can lead to deterioration of the core material and compromise the structural integrity of the entire panel system. This moisture-related degradation not only affects the building's stability but also shortens the overall lifespan of the panels. Additionally, the repair and maintenance aspects present a significant challenge, as damaged panels are difficult to fix or replace due to their large-section installation format. These limitations can impact the market adoption rate, especially in regions with strict fire safety regulations or high moisture exposure.

Europe Sandwich Panels Industry Segmentation

“Europe Sandwich Panels Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

On the basis of type, the market can be divided into the following:

• PUR/PIR
• Mineral Wool
• Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)
• Others

On the basis of skin material, the market can be divided into the following:

• Steel
• Aluminium
• Fibreglass Reinforced Panel (FRP)
• Continuous Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastics (CFRT)
• Others

On the basis of technology, the market can be divided into the following:

• Continuous
• Discontinuous

On the basis of application, the market can be divided into the following:

• Wall Panels
• Roof Panels
• Others

On the basis of end use, the market can be divided into the following:

• Industrial
• Commercial
• Residential
• Institutional and Others

Market Breakup by Region:

• Germany
• United Kingdom
• France
• Italy
• Serbia
• Bulgaria
• Others

Market Analysis by Type

PUR panels have an R (thermal resistance) value of 5-7.1 per inch, while PIR has an R-value ranging between R7 and 7.2 per inch. Additionally, PUR panels, made of closed cell structure and hard polyurethane foam, are increasingly being adopted in lightweight construction and building applications requiring compressive strength of 150-400 kPa, which include warehouses showrooms, garages, cold rooms, and workshops, among others. This is increasing the Europe sandwich panels market revenue.

By the end of June 2024, there was approximately 15 million sqm of warehouse space under construction in the region. The countries that experienced higher warehouse development are Italy (more than 2.3 million sqm underway), Poland (nearly 2 million sqm) and France (almost 1.8 million sqm).

EPS panels in Europe sandwich panels market provide exceptional insulation properties, making them increasingly popular in the construction sector, particularly in projects where energy efficiency and cost reduction are key concerns. The UK government has set targets that all fuel-poor homes should be at least band C by 2030.

Typically, mineral wool panels are non-combustible that is increasing their use in high fire resistance needs such as fire walls, fire compartments, and partitions.

Market Analysis by Skin Material

Fiberglass sandwich panels are built to function at a temperature range of -40+80°C. This further makes it ideal for use in harsh climatic conditions in Europe.

Additionally, sandwich panels making use of aluminium material is being adopted in the transportation infrastructure sector. The continuous development of transportation infrastructure, coupled with the growing emphasis on sustainable and efficient transportation solutions, is expected to drive increased demand for aluminum sandwich panel.

There is a growing adoption of steel sandwich panels as it offers simple installation and light weight characteristics.

Further, the Europe sandwich panels market is driven by the ongoing partnerships among players. In October 2024, Invespanel became the first sandwich panel manufacturer in Spain and Portugal to make use of ArcelorMittal’s organic coated XCarb® steel, which is produced using recycled materials and renewable energy. The partnership was carried out with an aim of lowering the carbon footprint in the building sector.

Market Analysis by Technology

The continuous technology enables the efficient production of large quantities of panels with consistent quality, leading to increased adoption of panels using this technology in roofing, wall cladding, and partitioning systems.

Simultaneously, the growing adoption of discontinuous sandwich panel production in applications where lower production rates, particular shapes or variable panel dimensions or layouts are necessitated is being observed. Additionally, discontinuous process is favoured to incorporate facing materials with specific properties or special mechanical fixings within the panel.

Market Analysis by Application

Enhancing residential and commercial applications of innovative lightweight wall panels is driving the growth in the Europe sandwich panels market. In July 2023, INEGI introduced lightweight composite wall panels for thermal and acoustic comfort.

Further, advanced insulated roof panels offer insulation capabilities, lightweight design, low maintenance cost due to durability. To tap into the opportunity of increasing refurbishment in Europe, ArcelorMittal launched the Maukatherm T iQ+ insulated roof panel in 2022.

Market Analysis by End Use

Sandwich panels are widely used in the industrial sector for their excellent thermal insulation, helping maintain stable internal temperatures and reducing energy costs for buildings such as cold storage, food processing, among other industrial buildings.

As per the Europe sandwich panels market analysis, investment in the European industrial sector grew by 13% from third quarter of 2023 to third quarter of 2024, reaching USD 39.61 billion.

PIR (polyisocyanurate) sandwich panels offer excellent thermal insulation and fire resistance, making them ideal for commercial buildings such as offices and hotels.

In fact, investment in the European hotel sector grew by 39% from Q3 of 2023 to Q3 of 2024, reaching USD 20.56 billion.

Further, European office take-up increased by 9% YoY in Q2-2024 as office occupiers resumed leasing activity, indicating a growing opportunity for the sandwich panel players.

Sandwich panels are largely applied in residential buildings due to their cost-effectiveness, durability, and energy efficiency. These panels speed up construction and reduce maintenance costs in affordable housing. European investment in affordable housing surged to USD 3.03 billion in 2023, making up 9% of the multi-housing sector - tripling its share from 3% in 2022.

Europe Sandwich Panels Market Regional Insights

Due to the growing focus on sustainable construction, in April 2023, the German government proposed new legislation that aims to significantly increase energy efficiency requirements for buildings, companies and data centres. Sandwich panels, with their efficient thermal insulation, are an ideal solution for meeting this new proposal.

Additionally, as part of its 2021-2026 National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Germany has earmarked USD 2.6 billion for investments in energy-efficient building renovations, resulting in a higher possible demand for sandwich panels for insulation.

The UK government is striving towards insulating existing dwellings to enhance their energy-efficiency. The Great British Insulation Scheme, which was launched in 2023 supports homes in tax bands A-D with low energy performance. Running until March 2026, it aims to assist 300,000 households. By December 2023, 2,979 homes had received insulation upgrades.

The Europe sandwich panels market growth is further supported by international investments, such as Turkish building materials firm Assan Panel's plan to establish a USD 55.9 million manufacturing facility at Freeport East near Felixstow.

Innovations from French companies are expected to support the sandwich panels demand forecast. For instance, in 2024, SECAM, a Haut-Savoie based company, developed the SECAMnida® insert, a highly reliable technology that revolutionizes the installation of honeycomb sandwich panels.

Furthermore, in August 2024, ArcelorMittal produced heat-insulating standing seam sheet metal roof elements, also known as sandwich roof panels, which are equipped with high-performance PV modules with plastic covers and TOPCon cells

Competitive Landscape

Companies in the Europe sandwich panels market are increasingly incorporating eco-friendly materials to meet the growing demand for energy-efficient and environmentally responsible building products. Innovations in sandwich panel technology, including flexible solar sheets, improved insulation, and fire-resistant cores, are driving growth in the European market by enhancing performance and sustainability.

Adamietz sp. z o.o.

Adamietz is a leading general contractor specialising in comprehensive investment solutions. Headquartered in Poland Adamietz constructs industrial facilities, public buildings, warehouses, showrooms, and sports complexes while modernising plants.

Rautaruukki Corporation

Founded in 1946, company manufactures steel-based products for walls and roofs, catering to both commercial buildings and private homes. The company employs approximately 1,350 people and operates 13 specialised manufacturing facilities.

ArcelorMittal SA

Headquartered in Luxemburg, the company is a leading global steel supplier, serving key markets such as automotive, construction, household appliances, and packaging. The company provides high-quality steel solutions for the construction industry, including structural steel, roofing, cladding, and prefabricated building components.

Assan Panel A.S.

Founded in 1990, Assan Panel is a leading construction industry manufacturer, providing sustainable building solutions. The company delivers high-quality, innovative, and fire-resistant application services worldwide.

Other key players in the Europe sandwich panels market are PANELTECH Sp. z o. o., and Kingspan Group Plc, among others.

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