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Market Overview

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The size of the used construction equipment market in the Netherlands was valued at USD 409.4 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 503.1 million by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.99% from 2022 to 2029. The market growth is primarily driven by the increasing investments in public infrastructure projects, including the expansion of railway tracks and airports, as well as the renovation of bridges and highways.

The Netherlands used construction equipment market is expected to witness a strong growth, reaching 22,896 units by 2029, with a CAGR of 2.70%. In 2021, the government injected USD 3.6 billion into the economy to facilitate post-pandemic recovery. The investment was primarily directed towards the development of public infrastructure, such as upgrading railways and airports. Additionally, funds were allocated for energy transition projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions by 2030. Notably, various wind farm and solar projects are currently underway in the provinces of Flevoland and Groningen as of 2022.

In 2022, the government also planned to invest approximately USD 1.6 billion in building a national network for green hydrogen with a capacity of 10 GW. The manufacturing sector in the Netherlands witnessed over 2% growth in Q1 2022 due to increased demand for goods in the European market. However, the sector’s growth may be hindered in the latter part of 2022 due to inflation and disruptions in the supply of raw materials and labor. Consequently, although the ongoing construction and renovation projects are expected to drive the growth of the used construction equipment market in 2022, the manufacturing industry may experience challenges due to reduced raw material supply and declining industrial production output. In fact, the manufacturing industry’s production output experienced a significant decline of 3.9% in Q1 2022, the largest decline since April 2020.

Among the segments within the Netherlands used construction equipment market, the Earthmoving segment holds the largest share. In particular, excavators dominated this segment in 2022. The market growth is further supported by infrastructure upgrading projects, which encompass the renovation of commercial buildings, railway stations, airports, and the extension of roadways and bridges throughout the country.

The European Commission has provided a recoveries and resilience plan of USD 4.8 billion for the Netherlands. This plan aims to facilitate strong economic recovery and includes reforms and investments to promote sustainability, resilience, and preparedness for the challenges and opportunities posed by green and digital transitions.

In the Netherlands used construction equipment market, there is a higher demand for forklifts due to their extensive use in the logistics industry. The growth of the e-commerce and logistics sectors in the country is expected to drive the demand for used forklifts. Additionally, the market share of new-generation used excavators equipped with information and communication technology (ICT) and remote monitoring technology is increasing. The shortage of skilled labor and the rise in accident cases at construction sites have prompted the adoption of automated used construction equipment in the Netherlands.

After a contraction in 2020, the residential sector in the country experienced growth in 2021. However, the housing sector is expected to be affected by stringent government regulations regarding nitrogen and carbon emissions. Rising prices of building materials also pose a significant challenge to the construction industry in the Netherlands in 2022. With increasing inflation and disruptions in raw materials and labor, the growth of the manufacturing sector in the Netherlands in Q4 2022 is expected to be hampered, consequently impacting the growth of the used construction equipment market.

In 2022, the government increased its focus on renovating old infrastructure throughout the country. Plans were made to invest approximately USD 4.1 billion in infrastructure maintenance in 2023. The railway sector is set to be a major recipient of government investment, with nearly USD 2 million allocated for this purpose in 2023. Furthermore, investments are planned for the development of roadways (USD 1.1 billion) and waterways (USD 625.3 million) in 2023.

Regarding roadway development, approximately USD 729.5 million is earmarked for the repair and maintenance of existing roads and national highways. An additional USD 521.3 million is allocated for the construction of new roadways to improve connectivity throughout the country in 2023. Furthermore, in 2020, the Netherlands government introduced the National Growth Fund, amounting to USD 20.8 billion for the period of 2021-2025. Part of this fund, USD 2.6 billion, is dedicated to extending Amsterdam’s North-South metro and railway track between the Delft and Schiedam regions. The increased government investment in infrastructure renovation and railways is expected to support the growth of the used construction equipment market in the Netherlands during the forecast period.

In 2022, the Netherlands government planned to invest USD 5.1 billion, with an additional USD 1.3 billion in reserve for 28 projects aimed at achieving sustainable growth in the country. These funds, provided under the National Growth Fund, will be utilized for investments in digitalization in higher education and secondary vocational education, the green hydrogen project, and improvements in the healthcare system.

An additional investment of USD 20.6 billion is allocated for knowledge development, infrastructure, research, and development. The government increased its investment in the healthcare sector by 22% in 2021 and planned to invest USD 69.3 million in improving healthcare centers across the country in 2022. Government investment is expected to further grow under the National Growth Fund in 2023, thereby supporting sales in the Netherlands used construction equipment market.

There is currently a surge in demand for smaller-sized electric-based used construction equipment in the Netherlands used construction equipment market in 2022. This includes equipment such as cranes, excavators, forklifts, and loaders. The strict emission standards across European Union countries have triggered a preference for electric construction equipment over fuel-based alternatives. Smaller-sized mobile electric used construction equipment, such as mini excavators, forklifts, and loaders, are gaining a strong market share in the Netherlands due to their lower maintenance costs compared to larger construction equipment. Additionally, there is a rise in infrastructure investments throughout the country, and the government is focused on reducing carbon and nitrogen emissions in 2022.

However, the government’s efforts to control nitrogen emissions are expected to hinder sales in the Netherlands used construction equipment market. The country has been struggling to curb nitrogen emissions from the agriculture, transport, and construction industries, making it the second-largest emitter of nitrogen among European countries. These emissions can have adverse effects on climate and biodiversity. Strong measures are being taken by the government to control nitrogen emissions, which are anticipated to impede the construction of new houses across the country. Construction activities require the use of construction equipment and dump trucks, which are significant sources of nitrogen emissions in the industry. According to government data, although the government had planned to build 75,000 new houses each year starting from 2021, the nitrogen crisis has led to a decrease of 40% in the construction of new houses annually.

Furthermore, an increase in the number of accident cases at construction sites is limiting the demand for used construction equipment. There is expected to be a significant rise in the number of accidents in the construction and transport/storage sectors in 2022. According to a report by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment in the Netherlands, a total of 69 people died in industrial accidents in the country in 2020. The number of work-related accidents reported exceeded 4,474 cases by the end of 2020, representing an increase of over 100. The use of mobile work equipment such as cranes and forklifts was found to be a major cause of casualties at construction sites, contributing to the decrease in demand for used construction equipment. Moreover, a high number of worker accidents have been observed in the construction, waste management, agriculture, and storage industries throughout the Netherlands.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including type and end user.

Segmentation by Type
Earthmoving Equipment – Excavator, Backhoe Loaders, Motor Graders, Other Earthmoving Equipment (Other loaders, Bulldozers, Trenchers)
Material Handling Equipment – Crane, Forklift & Telescopic Handlers, Aerial Platforms (Articulated Boom Lifts, Telescopic Boom lifts, Scissor lifts)
Road Construction Equipment – Road Rollers, Asphalt Pavers

Segmentation by End Users
Construction
Manufacturing
Mining
Others

The surge in demand for excavators and loaders used for digging, trenching, and loading gravels at construction sites is the primary driver of the incremental value in the earthmoving segment of the used construction equipment market. This increase in demand is largely fueled by the growth in public infrastructure projects throughout the country, which in turn supports the demand for earthmoving equipment in the Netherlands market.

In terms of market share by type, the earthmoving equipment segment accounted for 52.2% of the Netherlands used construction equipment market in 2022. It is projected that by 2029, this segment will reach 12,098 units, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.88%.

Furthermore, the construction industry is expected to experience significant growth in terms of incremental volume. This growth can be attributed to government investments in various sectors such as affordable housing, railways, road development projects, airports, and renewable energy projects. The construction segment accounted for a 48.7% share of the Netherlands used construction equipment market by end-user in 2022. By 2029, it is estimated that this segment will reach 11,322 units, growing at a CAGR of 2.92%.

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Competitive Landscape

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Prominent vendors in the used construction equipment market in the Netherlands include Caterpillar, Volvo Construction Equipment, Liebherr, Komatsu, JCB, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Kubota, Kobelco, SANY, and Hyundai Construction Equipment. Additionally, other notable vendors in the market are Yanmar, LiuGong, Manitou, Takeuchi, and CNH Industrials.

The market leaders in the Netherlands used construction equipment market are Hitachi Construction Equipment, Kubota, Caterpillar, Volvo Construction Equipment, and Komatsu. These companies hold a significant industry share and offer a wide range of products tailored to the needs of the Netherlands market.

Hyundai Construction Equipment introduced two A-Series crawler excavators, the HX160A L and the HX180A L, compliant with the European Union Stage V regulations, specifically for the European market in 2022.

Yanmar, Takeuchi, and CNH Industries are considered niche players in the used construction equipment market in the Netherlands. They specialize in offering a limited range of products, primarily catering to customers with specific requirements for earthmoving equipment.

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Key Questions Answered

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How large is the market for used construction equipment in the Netherlands?

The market for used construction equipment in the Netherlands was valued at USD 409.4 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 503.1 million by 2029.

What is the projected number of units of construction equipment to be sold in the Netherlands used construction equipment market by 2029?

It is estimated that around 22,896 units of construction equipment will be sold in the Netherlands used construction equipment market by 2029.

What is the growth rate of the Netherlands used construction equipment market?

The Netherlands used construction equipment market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.99% from 2022 to 2029.

What are the main trends in the Netherlands used construction equipment market?

The main trends in the Netherlands used construction equipment market include an increase in financing options for used equipment and a demand for used automated construction equipment due to labor shortages.

Who are the major players in the Netherlands used construction equipment market?

The major players in the used construction equipment market in the Netherlands are Caterpillar, Komatsu, Volvo Construction Equipment, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Kubota, Kobelco, SANY, Liebherr, Hyundai Construction Machinery, and JCB.