What this market covers
Detergents, degreasers and polishes made for aircraft exteriors, interiors and engines. Buyers are airlines, ground handlers and maintenance firms.
Typical segments
- Exterior wash
- Interior cleaners
- Engine degreasers
- Brightwork polish
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +69% 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 +10% 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 €276.3 million of products under CN code 34029090 (Washing preparations, incl. auxiliary washing preparations and cleaning preparations) from outside the EU in 2025. | 276.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 34029090 were up 69% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€163.4 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +69 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 34029090 to countries outside the EU were worth €676.4 million in 2025. | 676.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 34029090 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.58 billion in 2025. | 1.58 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 34029090 to the EU in 2025, with €133.1 million, or 48% of extra-EU imports. | 133.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 34029090 to the United States were €50.9 million in 2025. | 50.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 34029090 was €2.49 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.49 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Italy was the largest EU exporter of CN 34029090 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €131.5 million. | 131.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2041 employed 89,400 people across the EU in 2023. | 89,400 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,198 private establishments in NAICS 325611 (Soap and other detergent manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,198 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325611 employed an average of 29,098 people in US private industry in 2025. | 29,098 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325611 changed by +10% between 2020 (26,382 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +10 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325611 was $104,997 in 2025. | 104,997 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 34029090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 276282221
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34029090, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 163358138; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 276282221
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34029090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 676393878
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34029090, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1576066102
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34029090, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 133108832
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34029090, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 50902903
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34029090, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 276282221, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1109168
- 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 IT, product 34029090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 131488155
- 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 C2041, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 89400
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325611, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 10
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325611, annual_avg_estabs 1198
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325611, annual_avg_emplvl 29098
- Figure 12
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 26382; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 29098
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325611, avg_annual_pay 104997
- Figure 10
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Airlines
- Ground handlers
- Maintenance firms
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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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU aircraft cleaning chemical market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €276.3 million of goods under CN 34029090 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €676.4 million.
Where does the EU import aircraft cleaning chemical from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, Switzerland, Japan.
What is the average import price of aircraft cleaning chemical in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.49 per kilogram for CN 34029090 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most aircraft cleaning chemical?
Italy led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, Spain.
How many US companies are in the aircraft cleaning chemical industry?
BLS counts 1,198 private establishments in NAICS 325611 (Soap and other detergent manufacturing), the closest official industry.
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