What this market covers
Fine aluminium flakes and pastes that give metallic effects in paints, inks, plastics and coatings. Buyers use them for car finishes, packaging inks and protective coatings.
Typical segments
- Leafing pigments
- Non leafing pigments
- Pastes
- Powders
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +76% 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 -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 €9.2 million of products under CN code 76032000 (Powders of aluminium, of lamellar structure, and flakes of aluminium) from outside the EU in 2025. | 9.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 76032000 were up 76% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€5.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +76 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 76032000 to countries outside the EU were worth €45.0 million in 2025. | 45.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 76032000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €23.0 million in 2025. | 23.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Türkiye was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 76032000 to the EU in 2025, with €3.5 million, or 38% of extra-EU imports. | 3.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 76032000 to the United States were €7.5 million in 2025. | 7.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 76032000 was €3.39 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 3.39 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 76032000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €20.6 million. | 20.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 466 enterprises in NACE class C2012 (Manufacture of dyes and pigments) in 2023. | 466 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2012 had net turnover of €10.60 billion in 2023. | 10.60 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2012 employed 25,232 people across the EU in 2023. | 25,232 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 289 private establishments in NAICS 325130 (Synthetic dye and pigment manufacturing) in 2025. | 289 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325130 employed an average of 9,618 people in US private industry in 2025. | 9,618 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325130 changed by -6% between 2020 (10,280 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -6 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325130 was $99,238 in 2025. | 99,238 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 76032000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 9200764
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 76032000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 5223685; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 9200764
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 76032000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 44995018
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 76032000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 22986907
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 76032000, partner TR, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3508055
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 76032000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 7540464
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 76032000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 9200764, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 27103
- 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 76032000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 20606819
- 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 C2012, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 466
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2012, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 10598
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2012, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 25232
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325130, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325130, annual_avg_estabs 289
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325130, annual_avg_emplvl 9618
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 10280; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 9618
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325130, avg_annual_pay 99238
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Automotive paint makers
- Ink makers
- Coatings producers
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
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU aluminum pigment market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €9.2 million of goods under CN 76032000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €45.0 million.
Where does the EU import aluminum pigment from?
Türkiye was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, United Kingdom, Russian Federation.
What is the average import price of aluminum pigment in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €3.39 per kilogram for CN 76032000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most aluminum pigment?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Sweden, Austria.
How many US companies are in the aluminum pigment industry?
BLS counts 289 private establishments in NAICS 325130 (Synthetic dye and pigment manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the aluminum pigment industry?
Eurostat counts 466 enterprises in NACE class C2012 (Manufacture of dyes and pigments).
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