What this market covers
Non-ionic surfactants made by reacting fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide. Buyers are makers of detergents, personal care products, paints and agrochemicals.
Typical segments
- Linear alcohol ethoxylates
- Branched alcohol ethoxylates
- Low foam grades
- Bio-based grades
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -14% from 2022 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 -6% 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 €294.5 million of products under CN code 34024200 (Non-ionic organic surface-active agents, whether or not put up for retail sale) from outside the EU in 2025. | 294.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 34024200 were down 14% in 2025 compared with 2022 (€344.1 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -14 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 34024200 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.11 billion in 2025. | 1.11 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 34024200 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.85 billion in 2025. | 1.85 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 34024200 to the EU in 2025, with €130.1 million, or 44% of extra-EU imports. | 130.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 34024200 to the United States were €111.5 million in 2025. | 111.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 34024200 was €3.26 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 3.26 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 34024200 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €434.4 million. | 434.4 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 155 private establishments in NAICS 325613 (Surface active agent manufacturing) in 2025. | 155 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325613 employed an average of 4,384 people in US private industry in 2025. | 4,384 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325613 changed by -6% between 2020 (4,684 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -6 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325613 was $105,488 in 2025. | 105,488 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 34024200, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 294534916
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34024200, flow import, 2022 VALUE_IN_EUROS 344098893; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 294534916
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34024200, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1109519597
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34024200, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1846332557
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34024200, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 130086099
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34024200, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 111501277
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34024200, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 294534916, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 902469
- 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 34024200, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 434432816
- 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 325613, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 10
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325613, annual_avg_estabs 155
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325613, annual_avg_emplvl 4384
- Figure 12
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 4684; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 4384
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325613, avg_annual_pay 105488
- Figure 10
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Detergent makers
- Personal care brands
- Agrochemical formulators
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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU alcohol ethoxylate market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €294.5 million of goods under CN 34024200 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.11 billion.
Where does the EU import alcohol ethoxylate from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of alcohol ethoxylate in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €3.26 per kilogram for CN 34024200 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most alcohol ethoxylate?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Belgium.
How many US companies are in the alcohol ethoxylate industry?
BLS counts 155 private establishments in NAICS 325613 (Surface active agent manufacturing), the closest official industry.
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