Europe’s rainscreen cladding market is preparing for a more stable ascent after years of uneven performance across construction sectors. In 2025, total demand across key European countries is expected to reach 52.4 million m², up by +2.7%, and a market value of €2.87 billion, marking a continuation of the gradual recovery observed since 2023. By 2028, the market is forecast to expand to €3.32 billion, supported primarily by refurbishment activities and performance-driven material innovation, and a CAGR of +3.2% in quantities sold. These findings come from the latest IC Market Tracking: Rainscreen Cladding in Europe by Interconnection Consulting, which examines developments across Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Still, the market’s 2025 landscape is anything but uniform. The three largest markets—the UK (+2.1%), Germany (-2.0%), and France (+1.4%)—collectively represent 51.5% of total demand, underscoring their dominant role in shaping regional dynamics despite their diverging growth trajectories. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Austria (-6.8%), the Czech Republic (+1.9%), and Slovakia (-1.1%)—the smallest markets in the sample, together representing just 2.8% of total demand—illustrate a widening performance gap. Austria faces a sharp contraction as investment conditions weaken, the Czech Republic manages modest growth supported by selective renovation activity, and Slovakia remains in mild decline. “The recovery is real, but its pulse is irregular,” notes Juan Carraha, Market Analyst at Interconnection Consulting. “Manufacturers must navigate diverging regional dynamics—where Southern European countries revive through renovation incentives; parts of Central Europe remain anchored in weak new-build activity.”

Material preferences also continue to define competitive strategy. Aluminum cladding leads with 24.4% of volume share, maintaining its appeal for durability and architectural flexibility. Fibre cement accounts for 17.3%, followed by high-pressure laminates (14.6%) and steel/metal solutions (14.5%). Notably, steel and metal cladding record a +4.2% CAGR in value between 2025 and 2028, propelled by performance upgrades in non-residential renovations. Wood, ceramic systems, stone, vinyl, and niche materials collectively represent a diverse long-tail segment. Panel size trends reinforce the market’s gravitation toward larger façade components: 56.1% of installations exceed 0.4 m², as architects and contractors increasingly prioritize faster installation and uniform visual appearance.

On the demand side, the market is decisively shaped by the non-residential sector, which represents 63.2% of total volume in 2025. New construction dominates this segment (69.7%), especially in commercial, office, and industrial applications. However, in the residential market—where renovation and new building are nearly evenly split—retrofit activity is gaining traction, supported by energy-efficiency incentives and the growing need to modernize aging building envelopes. In total, the 2025 market remains a carefully balanced mix: mature economies lean on renovation to stabilize demand, while emerging markets benefit from more dynamic new-build growth.

The competitive landscape remains moderately fragmented. The top ten players account for 24.9% of total sales volume, signaling room for challenger brands to differentiate through material specialization, technical advisory services, and expanded distribution partnerships. This list includes, in alphabetical order: Alucobond, Cembrit, Eternit, FunderMax, Hardie Cladding, Kronospan, Rheinzink, Rockpanel, Taylor-Maxwell, and Trespa. Country-level dynamics vary, but premium positioning, sustainability certifications, and lifecycle performance metrics are becoming central battlegrounds.

Europe’s rainscreen cladding sector is entering a new strategic phase—one defined less by rapid expansion and more by selective, opportunity-driven growth. As Interconnection Consulting’s analysis makes clear, success will depend on precision: understanding sub-regional cycles, aligning materials with shifting business segments, and anticipating a future where renovation becomes not just a buffer, but the primary engine of expansion.

Link to the report

11/12/2025

Copyright: Interconnection, Publication free of charge for coverage regarding the study and InterConnection Consulting.