German fireworks demand grows despite criticism

Demand for New Year's Eve fireworks in Germany is rising despite growing criticism of the industry and calls for tighter restrictions.

Germany’s largest fireworks manufacturer, WECO, said the volume of rockets, firecrackers, fireworks batteries and other pyrotechnics available in shops this year is about 10% higher than a year ago.

Rival manufacturer COMET said it had seen a moderate increase in supply.

Volumes have been growing in recent years, and the German Association of the Pyrotechnics Industry said it expects higher availability across the sector as a whole.

Fireworks may be sold in Germany from December 29 to 31. Unsold items are returned to manufacturers, though WECO said the rate of returns last year was lower than expected.

WECO is the largest major company still manufacturing fireworks in Germany, with a staff of around 260 in Eitorf and Kiel, but still producing just 15% of what it sells, with the rest coming from China. Its turnover topped €136 million ($160 million) in the 2023-24 book year. Other sellers import all their wares, largely from China.  

Klaus Gotzen, head of the pyrotechnics sector association, sees a trend towards combined fireworks, in which a fuse is lit to a box that then sets off a range of fireworks in a display lasting up to several minutes.

Not everyone is a fan

For many people in Germany, however, the setting off fireworks and firecrackers remains a source of irritation, particularly among animal welfare and environmental groups. Wild animals, including birds are frightened and use up energy reserves that they need to get through the winter.

In cities such as Berlin, New Year’s Eve celebrations are frequently compared to scenes from a war zone. And environmentalists point to the debris generated by fireworks and to the waste of resources.

Supporters of a fireworks ban include the GdP police union, which has warned that police officers are increasingly being attacked with fireworks.

Dispute among the states

The interior ministers of the 16 states have been unable to agree on a ban, and a ban on private fireworks displays on the German North Sea island of Föhr was recently overturned by the courts.

WECO head of sales Oliver Gerstmeier sees rising demand as evidence that a clear majority do not want a ban. "Ringing in the New Year with a colourful firework is a beautiful thing for many people. One should respect that instead of discrediting it with repeated debates on a ban," he believes.

The fireworks industry sees pyrotechnics as an integral part of New Year’s Eve celebrations in Germany and that the growing demand shows the majority of the population still wants to see rockets light up the sky.

According to the industry association, problems are caused by "only a small number of troublemakers and rioters in a few major cities."