What this market covers
Washcloths treated or woven with antimicrobial fibres to limit odour and bacteria between washes. Buyers are households, hotels and care facilities.
Typical segments
- Cotton terry cloths
- Microfiber cloths
- Silver treated cloths
- Disposable cloths
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +38% 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 -25% 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 €969.8 million of products under CN code 63026000 (Toilet linen and kitchen linen, of terry towelling or similar terry fabrics of cotton) from outside the EU in 2025. | 969.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 63026000 were up 38% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€701.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +38 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 63026000 to countries outside the EU were worth €172.4 million in 2025. | 172.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 63026000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €620.4 million in 2025. | 620.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Pakistan was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 63026000 to the EU in 2025, with €420.6 million, or 43% of extra-EU imports. | 420.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 63026000 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 63026000 was €5.86 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 5.86 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Portugal was the largest EU exporter of CN 63026000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €71.1 million. | 71.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 29,982 enterprises in NACE class C1392 (Manufacture of made-up textile articles, except apparel) in 2023. | 29,982 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1392 had net turnover of €18.00 billion in 2023. | 18.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1392 employed 160,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 160,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,043 private establishments in NAICS 314120 (Curtain and linen mills) in 2025. | 1,043 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 314120 employed an average of 12,102 people in US private industry in 2025. | 12,102 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 314120 changed by -25% between 2020 (16,080 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -25 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 314120 was $51,836 in 2025. | 51,836 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 63026000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 969788476
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63026000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 701562374; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 969788476
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63026000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 172378366
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63026000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 620435093
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63026000, partner PK, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 420571194
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63026000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 36571091
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63026000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 969788476, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1653627
- 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 PT, product 63026000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 71070168
- 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 C1392, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 29982
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1392, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 18000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1392, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 160000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 314120, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 314120, annual_avg_estabs 1043
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 314120, annual_avg_emplvl 12102
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 16080; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 12102
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 314120, avg_annual_pay 51836
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Households
- Hotels
- Care homes
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 antibacterial washcloth market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €969.8 million of goods under CN 63026000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €172.4 million.
Where does the EU import antibacterial washcloth from?
Pakistan was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Türkiye, China, Bangladesh.
What is the average import price of antibacterial washcloth in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €5.86 per kilogram for CN 63026000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most antibacterial washcloth?
Portugal led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, France.
How many US companies are in the antibacterial washcloth industry?
BLS counts 1,043 private establishments in NAICS 314120 (Curtain and linen mills), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the antibacterial washcloth industry?
Eurostat counts 29,982 enterprises in NACE class C1392 (Manufacture of made-up textile articles, except apparel).
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