What this market covers
Thin plastic or foil sheets coated with glue that bond or protect surfaces. They are used for labels, screens, car trim and surface protection.
Typical segments
- Protective films
- Bonding films
- Optical films
- Label films
- Die cut films
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +33% 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 -5% since 2020.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €457.1 million of products under CN code 39191080 (Self-adhesive plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip and other flat shapes, of plastics,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 457.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 39191080 were up 33% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€343.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +33 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39191080 to countries outside the EU were worth €492.0 million in 2025. | 492.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 39191080 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.09 billion in 2025. | 1.09 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 39191080 to the EU in 2025, with €144.2 million, or 32% of extra-EU imports. | 144.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39191080 to the United States were €66.0 million in 2025. | 66.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 39191080 was €6.29 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 6.29 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 39191080 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €226.6 million. | 226.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 5,480 enterprises in NACE class C2221 (Manufacture of plastic plates, sheets, tubes and profiles) in 2023. | 5,480 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2221 had net turnover of €107.00 billion in 2023. | 107.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2221 employed 370,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 370,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 540 private establishments in NAICS 326113 (Unlaminated plastics film and sheet (except packaging) manufacturing) in 2025. | 540 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 326113 employed an average of 34,991 people in US private industry in 2025. | 34,991 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 326113 changed by -5% between 2020 (36,689 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -5 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 326113 was $76,830 in 2025. | 76,830 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
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)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39191080, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 457076293
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39191080, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 343636470; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 457076293
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39191080, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 491997953
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39191080, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1094933594
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39191080, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 144225791
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39191080, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 65992856
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39191080, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 457076293, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 726781
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 39191080, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 226649433
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2221, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 5480
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2221, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 107000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2221, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 370000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326113, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326113, annual_avg_estabs 540
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326113, annual_avg_emplvl 34991
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 36689; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 34991
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326113, avg_annual_pay 76830
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Electronics makers
- Auto makers
- Label printers
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 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
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- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU adhesive film market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €457.1 million of goods under CN 39191080 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €492.0 million.
Where does the EU import adhesive film from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Switzerland, United States, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of adhesive film in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €6.29 per kilogram for CN 39191080 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most adhesive film?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Poland, France.
How many US companies are in the adhesive film industry?
BLS counts 540 private establishments in NAICS 326113 (Unlaminated plastics film and sheet (except packaging) manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the adhesive film industry?
Eurostat counts 5,480 enterprises in NACE class C2221 (Manufacture of plastic plates, sheets, tubes and profiles).
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