China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Substances that bond materials together, sold as liquids, pastes, films and hot melts. They are used in packaging, construction, vehicles and electronics.
Typical segments
- Water based
- Hot melt
- Solvent based
- Reactive
- Pressure sensitive
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 39% 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.
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 €239.5 million of products under CN code 35061000 (Products suitable for use as glues or adhesives put up for retail sale as glues or) from outside the EU in 2025. | 239.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 35061000 were up 39% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€172.3 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +39 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 35061000 to countries outside the EU were worth €580.1 million in 2025. | 580.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 35061000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €913.7 million in 2025. | 913.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 35061000 to the EU in 2025, with €63.6 million, or 27% of extra-EU imports. | 63.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 35061000 to the United States were €46.4 million in 2025. | 46.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 35061000 was €8.54 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 8.54 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 35061000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €341.7 million. | 341.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 480 enterprises in NACE class C2052 (Manufacture of glues) in 2023. | 480 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2052 had net turnover of €5.89 billion in 2023. | 5.89 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2052 employed 15,518 people across the EU in 2023. | 15,518 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 779 private establishments in NAICS 325520 (Adhesive manufacturing) in 2025. | 779 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325520 employed an average of 24,219 people in US private industry in 2025. | 24,219 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325520 changed by +9% between 2020 (22,304 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +9 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325520 was $94,437 in 2025. | 94,437 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 35061000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 239512680
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35061000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 172322404; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 239512680
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35061000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 580081910
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35061000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 913713372
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35061000, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 63621407
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35061000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 46415937
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35061000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 239512680, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 280399
- 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 35061000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 341720493
- 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 C2052, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 480
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2052, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 5891
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2052, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 15518
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325520, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325520, annual_avg_estabs 779
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325520, annual_avg_emplvl 24219
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 22304; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 24219
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325520, avg_annual_pay 94437
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Packaging makers
- Construction firms
- Auto and electronics makers
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
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU adhesives market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €239.5 million of goods under CN 35061000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €580.1 million.
Where does the EU import adhesives from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland.
What is the average import price of adhesives in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €8.54 per kilogram for CN 35061000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most adhesives?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Poland, Netherlands.
How many US companies are in the adhesives industry?
BLS counts 779 private establishments in NAICS 325520 (Adhesive manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the adhesives industry?
Eurostat counts 480 enterprises in NACE class C2052 (Manufacture of glues).
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