+59 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 96190089 were up 59% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€75.5 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat816.6 EUR million
EU exports of CN 96190089 to countries outside the EU were worth €816.6 million in 2025.
Eurostat1.95 EUR billion
Trade between EU member states in CN 96190089 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.95 billion in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +59% 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 +4% since 2020.
What this market covers
Adult diapers are absorbent briefs and pads for people with incontinence or limited mobility. Buyers are consumers, care homes and hospitals.
Typical segments
- Pull up pants
- Tape style briefs
- Pads and liners
- Underpads
Who buys
- Retail consumers
- Care homes
- Hospitals
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| China | 45.3 EUR million |
| Türkiye | 24.7 EUR million |
| Switzerland | 20.8 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 6.7 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 5.9 EUR million |
| Canada | 5.0 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €119.8 million of products under CN code 96190089 (Sanitary articles, e.g. incontinence care articles) from outside the EU in 2025. | 119.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 96190089 were up 59% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€75.5 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +59 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 96190089 to countries outside the EU were worth €816.6 million in 2025. | 816.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 96190089 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.95 billion in 2025. | 1.95 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 96190089 to the EU in 2025, with €45.3 million, or 38% of extra-EU imports. | 45.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 96190089 to the United States were €36.6 million in 2025. | 36.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 96190089 was €2.96 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.96 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Netherlands was the largest EU exporter of CN 96190089 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €158.8 million. | 158.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 1,300 enterprises in NACE class C1722 (Manufacture of household and sanitary goods and of toilet requisites) in 2023. | 1,300 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1722 had net turnover of €36.27 billion in 2023. | 36.27 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1722 employed 83,170 people across the EU in 2023. | 83,170 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 268 private establishments in NAICS 322291 (Sanitary paper product manufacturing) in 2025. | 268 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 322291 employed an average of 28,238 people in US private industry in 2025. | 28,238 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 322291 changed by +4% between 2020 (27,100 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +4 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 322291 was $84,231 in 2025. | 84,231 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 adult diaper market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €119.8 million of goods under CN 96190089 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €816.6 million.
Where does the EU import adult diaper from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were Türkiye, Switzerland, United States from 1995 -> 2000).
What is the average import price of adult diaper in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.96 per kilogram for CN 96190089 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most adult diaper?
Netherlands led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Belgium, Germany.
How many US companies are in the adult diaper industry?
BLS counts 268 private establishments in NAICS 322291 (Sanitary paper product manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the adult diaper industry?
Eurostat counts 1,300 enterprises in NACE class C1722 (Manufacture of household and sanitary goods and of toilet requisites).
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 96190089, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 119821560
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 96190089, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 75484275; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 119821560
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 96190089, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 816573537
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 96190089, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1949738400
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 96190089, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 45286682
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 96190089, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 36588671
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 96190089, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 119821560, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 404330
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter NL, product 96190089, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 158810104
- 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 C1722, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 1300
- 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 C1722, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 36265
- 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 C1722, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 83170
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 322291, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322291, annual_avg_estabs 268
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 322291, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322291, annual_avg_emplvl 28238
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 322291, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 27100; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 28238
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 322291, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322291, avg_annual_pay 84231
Free sample
Get a free sample of this report
We send the table of contents, two sample chapters and the method note, usually within one working day. You owe us nothing for asking.
- Full table of contents
- Two sample chapters
- Method note and data outline