+10 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 38123910 were up 10% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€60.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat65.0 EUR million
EU exports of CN 38123910 to countries outside the EU were worth €65.0 million in 2025.
Eurostat113.9 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 38123910 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €113.9 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +10% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
- US employment in the core industry shifted -3% since 2020.
What this market covers
Concentrated pellets that carry additives such as stabilizers, slip agents and flame retardants into plastics during processing. Plastic processors add them in small doses to change performance.
Typical segments
- UV stabilizer batches
- Antioxidant batches
- Slip and antiblock batches
- Flame retardant batches
- Antistatic batches
Who buys
- Film makers
- Injection molders
- Packaging converters
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| Switzerland | 25.3 EUR million |
| Korea, Republic of | 13.7 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 9.8 EUR million |
| China | 6.8 EUR million |
| India | 4.8 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 3.7 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €66.9 million of products under CN code 38123910 (Anti-oxidising preparations for rubber or plastics) from outside the EU in 2025. | 66.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 38123910 were up 10% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€60.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +10 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38123910 to countries outside the EU were worth €65.0 million in 2025. | 65.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 38123910 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €113.9 million in 2025. | 113.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 38123910 to the EU in 2025, with €25.3 million, or 38% of extra-EU imports. | 25.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38123910 to the United States were €8.6 million in 2025. | 8.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 38123910 was €4.49 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 4.49 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 38123910 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €35.8 million. | 35.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 2,353 enterprises in NACE class C2016 (Manufacture of plastics in primary forms) in 2022. | 2,353 enterprises | 2022 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2016 had net turnover of €110.91 billion in 2023. | 110.91 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2016 employed 142,189 people across the EU in 2023. | 142,189 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 476 private establishments in NAICS 325991 (Custom compounding of purchased resins) in 2025. | 476 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325991 employed an average of 16,904 people in US private industry in 2025. | 16,904 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325991 changed by -3% between 2020 (17,369 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -3 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325991 was $76,699 in 2025. | 76,699 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
What the full report covers
- 1
Executive summary
The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.
- 2
Market size and outlook
History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.
- 3
Segments and regions
Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.
- 4
Company profiles
The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.
- 5
Data and method
Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU additive masterbatch market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €66.9 million of goods under CN 38123910 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €65.0 million.
Where does the EU import additive masterbatch from?
Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were Korea, Republic of, United Kingdom, China.
What is the average import price of additive masterbatch in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €4.49 per kilogram for CN 38123910 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most additive masterbatch?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Belgium.
How many US companies are in the additive masterbatch industry?
BLS counts 476 private establishments in NAICS 325991 (Custom compounding of purchased resins), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the additive masterbatch industry?
Eurostat counts 2,353 enterprises in NACE class C2016 (Manufacture of plastics in primary forms).
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38123910, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 66852507
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38123910, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 60595837; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 66852507
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38123910, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 64994314
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38123910, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 113894673
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38123910, partner CH, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 25304497
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38123910, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 8565505
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38123910, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 66852507, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 148833
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 38123910, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 35818185
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2016, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2022, 2353
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2016, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 110914
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2016, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 142189
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325991, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325991, annual_avg_estabs 476
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325991, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325991, annual_avg_emplvl 16904
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325991, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 17369; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 16904
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325991, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325991, avg_annual_pay 76699
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