After growing by 4.5% in 2025, the market for energy-based aesthetic medical devices is expected to reverse course in 2026, declining by 3.9% from €7.63 billion to approximately €7.33 billion. According to the latest IC Market Forecast – Energy Based Aesthetic Medical Devices 2026 by Interconnection Consulting, the shift marks a temporary slowdown following several years of market expansion.

The downturn is partly linked to geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, where several major industry players are headquartered, putting pressure on investment confidence and supply-chain stability. At the same time, 57.2% of unit sales in 2026 are expected to come from upgrades and replacements, indicating that clinics are increasingly prioritizing the renewal of existing equipment over entirely new investments.

Country performance illustrates these differences clearly. Austria is the only analyzed market expected to grow in 2026, rising by 4.4%, supported by comparatively resilient investment conditions. By contrast, France will decline by 6.4%, Italy by 6.0% and Türkiye by 5.9%, as weaker investment activity and economic or geopolitical uncertainty make clinics more cautious about purchasing new equipment. In the United States, the world’s largest analyzed market, value is expected to decline by 3.6%, partly reflecting continued geopolitical uncertainty and the risk of supply chain disruptions.

Private clinics remain at the center of the industry, accounting for approximately 69.9% of market value in 2026. Energy-based devices use technologies such as lasers, IPL, radiofrequency and focused ultrasound for treatments including skin rejuvenation, hair removal and body contouring, with demand increasingly supported by consumers seeking non-invasive aesthetic procedures.

“The market is becoming more selective. Clinics increasingly need to see a clear improvement in treatment results and return on investment before replacing equipment they already own. This puts greater pressure on manufacturers to develop systems that combine stronger performance, versatility and measurable clinical benefits, rather than relying on technological innovation alone,” says Katarina Hornikova, Market Analyst at Interconnection Consulting.

Competition remains strong, with the 17 largest companies accounting for around 70% of total market value. Leading manufacturers include Alma Lasers, BTL Aesthetics, Candela Medical, Cutera, Cynosure Lutronic, El.En. Group, Fotona, InMode, Lumenis, Merz Aesthetics, Sciton, Sinclair Pharma, and Solta Medical.

As geopolitical uncertainty eases and investment recovers, continued demand for non-invasive treatments and equipment replacement is expected to bring the market back to growth. By 2029, market value is projected to reach approximately €8.46 billion, supported by an annual CAGR of around 4.9%, as clinics invest in newer technologies and aesthetic treatments continue to gain popularity among consumers.

Contact Information Interconnection Consulting

Katarina Hornikova, Senior Market Analyst

Phone: +43 1 585 46 23 – 18

Email: hornikova@interconnectionconsulting.com

The European market for high-efficiency air filtration (EPA, HEPA & ULPA filters) is projected to grow by 4.8% in market value in 2026, highlighting sustained demand beyond the pandemic. According to the latest IC Market Forecast – EPA, HEPA & ULPA Filters 2026 by Interconnection Consulting, growth is driven by continued investments in healthcare, pharmaceutical manufacturing, cleanroom infrastructure, and stricter indoor air quality standards.

“Europe’s filtration market is being reshaped by a structural shift in demand. Instead of reacting to temporary events, companies are investing in high-efficiency filtration as part of long-term strategies to improve air quality, meet stricter regulations and reduce operating costs through more energy-efficient technologies,” says Sasa Spirodonov, analyst at Interconnection Consulting and author of the study.

Growth patterns reveal significant regional differences across Europe. Germany, the region’s largest market, expanded by 5.7% in 2026, while France and the United Kingdom grew by 5.5% and 6.0%, respectively. Romania led Eastern Europe with 8.6% growth, reflecting industrial expansion and manufacturing relocation. These developments are encouraging manufacturers to expand capacity and accelerate investment in high-performance filtration technologies.

High-efficiency HEPA air filters, designed to remove extremely fine airborne particles, will account for 78.2% of the European filtration market in 2026, reflecting growing demand for cleaner indoor air across healthcare, commercial buildings, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Meanwhile, EPA filters will represent just 5.8% of the market as stricter air quality standards accelerate the shift toward higher-performance filtration.

In 2026, healthcare will remain the largest application, accounting for 27.4% of total market value, followed closely by commercial buildings at 26.9%. Pharmaceutical manufacturing will be the fastest-growing segment, while the aftermarket will generate 71.8% of industry revenue as companies increasingly prioritize filter replacement, maintenance, and energy-efficiency upgrades over new system installations.

The competitive landscape is led by AAF International, Camfil, Deltrian, Donaldson, Freudenberg Filtration, Hengst Filtration, MANN+HUMMEL, Mikropor, Parker Hannifin, and TROX. Rising demand for cleaner indoor air and stricter efficiency requirements are encouraging manufacturers to develop longer-lasting, more energy-efficient filtration technologies that lower operating costs for end users.

Looking ahead, the European EPA, HEPA & ULPA filtration market is forecast to grow at a 5.6% CAGR in terms of market value between 2026 and 2029, driven by continued investment in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, semiconductor manufacturing and stricter indoor air quality requirements

Contact Information Interconnection Consulting

Saša Spiridonov, Senior Market Analyst

Phone: +43 1 585 46 23 – 14

Email: spirodonov@interconnectionconsulting.com

Interconnection Consulting’s 2026 online mystery shopping study, in which a total of 57 German prefabricated house manufacturers were evaluated between April and May 2026, reveals a remarkable contradiction: Never before have so many manufacturers responded to customer inquiries, yet many still fail to guide potential buyers effectively through the sales process. Significant weaknesses remain, particularly in answering specific questions, customer orientation, and proactive follow-up, leaving considerable sales potential untapped.

Fast responses remain the exception

With a final response rate of 97.2%, manufacturers achieved a new record. 64.2% of companies replied to the initial inquiry. Following a reminder email, the response rate increased to 86.2%, and after an additional telephone call, it reached 97.2%. At the same time, however, response speed deteriorated: only 56.0% of manufacturers replied within 24 hours (the timeframe customers typically expect). Companies that take longer risk losing potential customers before the sales process even begins.

More than one in four manufacturers failed to answer a single question

The quality of responses remains a major concern. Only 23.5% of manufacturers answered all questions completely, while 28.2% failed to address any of the questions asked. The evaluation covered topics including energy efficiency, heating systems, government subsidies, and photovoltaic solutions. Many manufacturers limited their responses to generic standard information or simply referred customers to future consultation appointments.

“Customers who submit an inquiry expect clear answers to their specific questions. Our results show that there is often a significant gap between response speed and the actual quality of the consultation,” says Allison Carranza.

Follow-up remains the biggest weakness

The most significant shortcomings were identified in proactive follow-up. Only 15.6% of manufacturers contacted the customer again after their initial response or followed up to determine whether further interest existed. Last year, this figure was still 30.6%. As a result, around 85% of inquiries are no longer actively pursued after the first reply.

“A prefabricated house is rarely sold after a single email. The greatest sales opportunity is not lost during the initial contact, but afterward. This is exactly where many manufacturers are leaving significant potential untapped,” explains Allison Carranza.

The best-performing manufacturers of 2026

Overall, FingerHaus, Petershaus, Hanse Haus, and Haas Fertigbau rank among the top-performing companies in this year’s study. These manufacturers demonstrate communication practices that significantly increase the likelihood of a successful sale. At the same time, the study continues to reveal substantial performance differences between the industry leaders and the market average.

The results also indicate that manufacturers have recognized the importance of responding quickly but, in many cases, have forgotten how to keep the sales conversation alive throughout the customer journey.

About the Study

The study is based on a mystery shopping approach. Prefabricated house manufacturers were contacted via email using standardized inquiries regarding a residential construction project. Companies that did not respond within one week received a reminder email and, if necessary, were subsequently contacted by telephone.

The evaluation assessed both hard skills (response times, completeness of answers, and provision of information materials) and soft skills (competence, unique selling propositions, empathy, customer orientation, and closing focus).

The companies evaluated include leading German prefabricated house manufacturers such as WeberHaus, HUF HAUS, FingerHaus, SchwörerHaus, Bien-Zenker, OKAL, ELK, Hanse Haus, Regnauer Hausbau, and Danwood.

Contact Information Interconnection Consulting

Allison Carranza, Market Analyst

Phone: +43 1 585 46 23 – 50

Email: carranza@interconnectionconsulting.com

 The 2025 online mystery shopping study by Interconnection Consulting highlights a paradox in the German prefabricated house industry: manufacturers are responding faster to inquiries, yet the quality of their responses has declined. A comprehensive analysis of 85 prefabricated house manufacturers, conducted between June and July 2025, shows that 60.0% of companies responded within 24 hours compared to 48.4% in 2023, with the average response time falling from 2.9 to 2.7 working days.

“Companies are clearly investing in faster response systems” noted Allison Carranza, author of the study, “however, speed without substance creates a hollow customer experience.” Despite this progress, the quality of responses is falling short. Only 23.5% of manufacturers addressed all four questions in the inquiry, while 28.2% failed to provide relevant answers altogether. The evaluation covered energy efficiency information, financing options, viewing opportunities, and delivery timeframes.

Information-sharing methods also shifted, with fewer manufacturers sending catalogues or PDFs and more suggesting follow-up conversations, reflecting a move away from providing comprehensive information upfront. At the same time, digital communication remains limited, as many manufacturers continue to prefer telephone conversations and personal meetings, while video meeting offers declined significantly.

Industry Performance and Market Implications

Among the best performers, Keitel Haus achieved the highest overall ranking with strong results across all categories, while Kampa, FingerHaus, and Regnauer also stood out for responsiveness and quality. Huf Haus and Fischer earned recognition for their competence and customer orientation. Nevertheless, areas for improvement are evident: fixed-price guarantees were rarely mentioned, information on KfW funding opportunities was provided by only a handful of companies, and nearly 70% of inquiries received no follow-up at all. “The results reveal an industry in transition” explained Carranza. “While manufacturers are becoming more responsive, they struggle to balance speed with substance”. The findings underscore the importance of digital customer service and structured communication processes in a market where over 94% of consumers rely on the internet as their main source of information.

About the Study

The IC Online Mystery Shopping study for prefabricated houses in Germany provides essential insights for effective sales strategies in this highly competitive market. It analyses both quantitative metrics and qualitative customer service elements to deliver comprehensive market intelligence.