Ressource efficiency in Bavaria

For Bavaria as a business location with its strong industrial structure, the transition to a circular economy is of central importance – and remains a major challenge. Despite significant efficiency gains in recent years, there has been no significant decline in resource consumption in Bavaria.

The updated study ‘Facts, figures and data on resource efficiency in Bavaria’ provides helpful and in-depth information on the topic.

Bavaria's raw material consumption has not fallen so far

The study provides a comprehensive overview of key figures for a wide range of industrial raw materials. The supply of raw materials was examined in terms of supply risks, recyclability and substitutability, as well as environmental impacts, demand and price trends.

In addition, 12 key raw materials that are of particular importance to the Bavarian economy were examined in more detail. The most important core findings provide information on the status quo of resource efficiency in Bavaria:

• Bavaria consumes a considerable amount of resources. So far, it has not been possible to reduce absolute raw material consumption (DMI) compared to 1994. A positive downward trend until the mid-2000s has now disappeared again.
• A large proportion of raw materials must be imported. In 2021 and 2022, there was a sharp rise in the prices of traded raw materials. This can be attributed to supply chain disruptions in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
• The move towards a circular economy may be a solution to reduce negative environmental impacts and business risks caused by price fluctuations. However, analysis of Bavaria's Circular Material Use Rate (CMU), which is used as an indicator of the degree to which a circular economy has been achieved, shows that only 11.3 percent of raw materials in Bavaria are returned to the cycle.

Furthermore, the five most important leading industries in Bavaria were examined in more detail with regard to their potential for saving raw materials. For each leading industry, three scenarios were developed for the period up to 2035, outlining possible future development paths.

• The first scenario assumes a continuation of current trends and shows a significant increase in raw material consumption in all key industries by 2035.
• The second scenario models increased use of secondary raw materials in line with the existing potential in each case. The result is a slight reduction in absolute raw material consumption compared with the 2020 figure.
• Significant reductions in consumption can ultimately be achieved in the third scenario, which assumes ambitious measures to improve resource efficiency.

Our approach

Prognos analysed the available data on resource consumption and raw materials as well as economically relevant factors in Bavaria. The raw material information was processed and used to derive a potential analysis of efficiency measures. The aim was to create a catalogue of measures for more efficient resource use.

As part of the analysis, available statistical data was evaluated and new indicators such as the Circular Material Use Rate (CMU) were determined. Interviews and a literature analysis were also conducted.

The study results are intended to help stakeholders in the Bavarian economy develop measures that permanently reduce resource requirements and strategic dependencies. In addition, the project evaluated the services offered by the Resource Efficiency Centre (REZ) of the Bavarian State Office for the Environment (LfU) and identified potential for further development of these services.

Links and downloads

To the study (PDF, german)

Information on the previous project (in German)

Project team: Tim Bichlmeier, Lucas Bierhaus, Nico Dietzsch, Johanna Draeger-Gebhard, Philipp Hutzenthaler, Romy Kölmel, Jannis Lambert, Vera Wechner

Last update: 28.05.2025