The circular economy as a key market driver

A key driver of growth is the increasing adoption of the circular economy in the industrial sector. This is based on the principle of keeping products in the economic cycle for as long as possible – through reuse, refurbishment and resale.

Studies show that it is precisely this approach that significantly increases demand for used industrial trucks:

• The circular economy specifically promotes the use of ‘second-life’ products in order to reduce waste and use resources more efficiently
• At the same time, the second-hand market is gaining strategic importance due to increasing sustainability requirements within companies

In concrete terms, this means that in the forklift truck market, companies are increasingly making a conscious decision to opt for used equipment – not just for cost reasons, but as part of their ESG and sustainability strategy.

Environmental benefits of used forklift trucks

The reuse and reconditioning of forklift trucks brings measurable environmental benefits:

• The need for new production is reduced, leading to a significant drop in CO₂ emissions and resource consumption

• Refurbishment processes significantly extend the service life of existing machines
• Companies can improve their environmental performance without compromising on efficiency

Economic appeal & rising demand

In addition to the environmental benefits, the economic factor remains crucial:

• Used forklifts offer significantly lower upfront costs whilst maintaining high availability
• Advances in reconditioning ensure that modern reconditioned equipment is virtually indistinguishable from new equipment

Market reports show that the combination of cost savings and sustainability is leading to a sharp rise in demand:

• The market for used and energy-efficient forklift trucks is growing strongly, driven by rising cost pressures and environmental requirements
• At the same time, manufacturers and retailers are investing more heavily in professional refurbishment programmes and quality standards

Technological developments in the refurbishment sector

Another key trend is the increasing professionalisation of processing:

• Modern diagnostic and maintenance technologies enable a precise assessment of the condition of used equipment
• Improved battery technologies (e.g. lithium-ion) make refurbished electric forklifts more attractive
• Digital components such as telematics support maintenance, valuation and resale

As a result of these developments, used forklift trucks are increasingly seen as a predictable and reliable investment – rather than a risky alternative.

Strategic importance for suppliers and buyers

For suppliers:

• Positioning based on quality, certified equipment and a documented history
• Developing refurbishment expertise as a competitive advantage
• Incorporating sustainability as a selling point

For buyers:

• An opportunity to reduce investment costs whilst meeting ESG targets
• Access to modern technology at lower prices Higher
• Transparency through standardised processing procedures

Conclusion

By 2026, the used forklift truck market will have become a key component of sustainable industrial and logistics strategies.

The combination of:

• the growing importance of the circular economy
• technological advances in processing
• and mounting cost pressures

means that used forklift trucks are increasingly seen as a viable alternative to new ones.

Companies that embrace this trend early on stand to benefit in two ways:

Economically, through lower investment costs – and strategically, through a more sustainable market position.

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(Sources: https://growthmarketreports.com/report/used-forklifts-market; https://www.verifiedmarketreports.com/product/used-and-refurbished-storage-forklift-truck-market/; https://www.amapr.com/growth-of-the-circular-economy-driving-up-demand-for-used-materials-handling-equipment/; https://www.amapr.com/growth-of-the-circular-economy-driving-up-demand-for-used-materials-handling-equipment/; https://dataintelo.com/report/used-forklifts-market; https://www.datainsightsmarket.com/reports/used-and-refurbished-energy-efficient-forklift-1561353; https://www.promarketreports.com/reports/used-and-refurbished-industrial-forklift-truck-170614)