As New Year’s Eve approaches, demand for fireworks in Germany is increasing despite significant criticism from various sectors, including animal welfare and environmental groups. According to WECO, the country’s largest fireworks manufacturer, the volume of fireworks available to consumers this year is approximately 10% higher than in 2022. Competing manufacturer COMET has also reported a moderate boost in supply, reflecting a broader trend within the industry.
The German Association of the Pyrotechnics Industry anticipates even greater availability of pyrotechnics across the sector as a whole. Fireworks sales in Germany are permitted from December 29 to 31, with any unsold items typically returned to manufacturers. Interestingly, WECO noted that the rate of returns last year was lower than expected, indicating a robust consumer appetite for these products.
WECO, which operates with around 260 employees in Eitorf and Kiel, accounts for only 15% of its sales through domestic production, with the majority of goods imported from China. The company reported a turnover exceeding €136 million (approximately $160 million) in the 2023-24 financial year. Klaus Gotzen, head of the pyrotechnics sector association, highlighted a growing trend towards combined fireworks, where a single fuse ignites a box that produces a multi-minute display.
Despite the rising demand, there is significant opposition to fireworks in Germany. Many residents express irritation at the noise and chaos of New Year’s Eve celebrations, particularly animal welfare and environmental advocates. Concerns have been raised about the impact of fireworks on wildlife, with reports indicating that wild animals, including birds, become stressed and deplete their energy reserves needed for winter survival. Cities like Berlin have seen celebrations described as resembling scenes from a war zone, leading to calls for more stringent regulations.
The GdP police union, representing law enforcement officers, has voiced support for a fireworks ban, citing increasing incidents of police being attacked with fireworks during New Year’s celebrations. These incidents have sparked heated debates among politicians, with the interior ministers of Germany’s 16 states unable to reach a consensus on a potential nationwide ban. A recent court ruling overturned a ban on private fireworks displays on the German North Sea island of Föhr, further complicating the regulatory landscape.
Despite the controversy, Oliver Gerstmeier, WECO’s head of sales, believes the rising demand reflects the desires of the majority. “Ringing in the New Year with a colourful firework is a beautiful thing for many people,” he stated. Gerstmeier argues that rather than discrediting fireworks with debates on bans, society should respect the tradition and enjoyment they bring.
The fireworks industry maintains that the negative incidents associated with fireworks are perpetrated by a small minority. According to the industry association, the majority of consumers still wish to celebrate by lighting up the sky with rockets and firecrackers. As the New Year’s Eve celebrations loom, the fireworks sector remains steadfast in its position that pyrotechnics are an integral part of German festivities.
