The European underfloor heating (UFH) market is set to grow 7.1% in 2026, reaching almost €3.95 billion, as renovation demand and a stabilising construction sector pull the industry out of a two-year downturn. Sales volumes across the 13 countries covered by Interconnection Consulting's IC Market Tracking® study are forecast to rise 0.7% to 105.9 million m², following a 1.7% decline in 2025. Spain is leading the recovery, with volumes up 4.8% and value up 9.6% in 2026 – nearly twice the European pace – as renovation activity and new residential construction both accelerate. Much of Spain's momentum comes from housing shortages driving new multi-family construction, combined with rising renovation activity supported by energy-efficiency programmes and growing heat pump adoption. Average selling prices, which slipped slightly in 2025 amid strong competition, are expected to recover by 4.7% in 2026, reinforcing the country's above-average value growth and standing in sharp contrast to the wider European market, which is only stabilising after two difficult years. The two markets also differ in character. Spain remains one of Europe's most hydronic-dominated markets, with hydronic systems accounting for 95.9% of sales and wet, in-screed installation representing 95.2% of hydronic installations – reflecting the importance of new multi-family housing developments, where wet systems remain the default choice. Across Europe as a whole, the picture is more mixed: hydronic systems account for 86.9% of installed volume, while dry installation methods are steadily gaining ground, particularly in renovation-heavy markets, thanks to their lower installation height and faster fitting time. “What we hear directly from manufacturers across Europe confirms the picture in our data: this isn't one market moving in one direction, but many local markets moving at very different speeds. The one constant almost everywhere is that renovation is now outpacing new construction, and it's increasingly bringing heat pumps and underfloor heating together as building owners prepare for decarbonisation,” says Allison Carranza, Market Analyst at Interconnection Consulting. In the coming years, competition is expected to shift increasingly from individual products toward complete heating-system solutions. Manufacturers will need to combine energy efficiency, renovation-friendly installation and compatibility with heat pumps and digital controls, while also managing rising input costs and growing price sensitivity among customers. Looking ahead, Spain's momentum is expected to continue, supported by ongoing residential construction, expanding renovation activity and the increasing pairing of underfloor heating with heat pump systems – reinforcing its position as one of Europe's fastest-growing UFH markets. The wider European market, meanwhile, is expected to settle into a steadier, renovation-led growth path through 2029, with a more pronounced acceleration anticipated from 2027 onward as residential construction gradually normalises.

The combined German and Austrian school bag market reached €191.2 million in 2025, down 0.2% in value and 1.3% in quantity, according to a new study by Interconnection Consulting. Behind that headline number, three forces are reshaping the market at very different speeds: enrollment trends have pulled Germany and Austria in opposite directions, the balance of value between product segments is quietly shifting toward larger backpacks, and a 2026 shipping disruption is about to reset sourcing costs for the whole industry. Two markets, two directions Germany and Austria, long moving in step, are no longer telling the same story. Germany's market contracted in 2025, with value down 0.5% and quantity down 1.5%, as the number of children entering first grade fell. Austria moved the opposite way, growing 2.7% in value and 0.9% in quantity, supported by rising enrollment across both younger and older age groups. The forecast through 2029 keeps the two markets on separate tracks: Germany faces a further contraction, averaging 1.0% per year in value, as the smaller birth cohorts recorded in Germany in 2022 and 2023 reach school age toward the end of the decade, while Austria continues to grow overall, even as its own pace slows in the final two forecast years. Where the margin is moving School backpacks over 25 liters, the format favored by older children, already account for 54.8% of quantity sold across both markets. What's new is that they have now closed the gap in value too: at 42.1%, the segment has edged ahead of the mid-sized 20-24 liter category (41.5%), which has traditionally led the market. Pricing is moving unevenly alongside it. Bags for younger children have been getting measurably more expensive in both countries, while backpacks for older children are growing at a noticeably slower pace — two different pricing logics operating side by side in what looks, on the surface, like a single market. A cost shock nobody ordered The timing could hardly be worse. Following the closure of a major shipping route in early 2026, freight costs out of Asia, where much of school bag manufacturing is based, are set to rise sharply, adding fresh cost pressure just as volumes are already shrinking. The combined market is forecast to rise to €196.8 million in 2026 as prices adjust, before easing back to €192.8 million by 2029 — a path that looks flat from a distance, but hides a market absorbing a cost shock and a demographic slowdown at the same time. This is no longer one market moving at one speed — it is two countries, two capacity segments, and two cost bases, each on its own trajectory. Brands still planning for a single, uniform market are the ones most exposed to what comes next.

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