German fireworks demand grows despite criticism

Demand for New Year’s fireworks in Germany is increasing despite growing criticism of the industry and calls for tougher restrictions.

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

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

Volumes have increased in recent years and the German Pyrotechnics Industry Association said it expects greater availability across the sector.

Fireworks can be sold in Germany from December 29 to 31. Unsold items are returned to manufacturers, although WECO said the return rate last year was lower than expected.

WECO is the largest fireworks manufacturing company in Germany, with a workforce of around 260 people in Eitorf and Kiel, but only produces 15% of what it sells, with the rest coming from China. Its turnover exceeded 136 million euros ($160 million) in the 2023-24 accounting year. Other sellers import all their goods, largely from China.

Klaus Gotzen, president of the pyrotechnics industry association, sees a trend toward combination fireworks, in which a fuse is lit in a box which then sets off a series of fireworks over several minutes.

Not everyone is a fan

But for many people in Germany, the setting off of fireworks and firecrackers remains a source of irritation, especially among animal welfare and environmental groups. Wild animals, including birds, become frightened and deplete the energy reserves they need to get through the winter.

In cities like Berlin, New Year’s Eve celebrations are often compared to scenes from a war zone. And environmentalists point to fireworks-generated debris and wasted resources.

Among the supporters of a ban on fireworks is the police union GdP, which has warned that police officers are increasingly being attacked with fireworks.

Dispute between states

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

Oliver Gerstmeier, head of sales at WECO, sees the growing demand as proof that a clear majority does not want a ban. “Celebrating the New Year with colorful fireworks is a beautiful thing for many people. We must respect that instead of discrediting it with repeated debates about a ban,” he believes.

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

According to the trade association, the problems are caused “only by a small number of troublemakers and rioters in a few large cities.”