What this market covers
Chemicals that slow oxidation in plastics, rubber, fuels, food and cosmetics. Buyers are polymer processors, food makers and lubricant blenders.
Typical segments
- Plastic antioxidants
- Rubber antioxidants
- Food antioxidants
- Fuel and lubricant antioxidants
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +10% 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 +5% 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 €66.9 million of products under CN code 38123910 (Anti-oxidising preparations for rubber or plastics) from outside the EU in 2025. | 66.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 38123910 were up 10% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€60.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +10 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38123910 to countries outside the EU were worth €65.0 million in 2025. | 65.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 38123910 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €113.9 million in 2025. | 113.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 38123910 to the EU in 2025, with €25.3 million, or 38% of extra-EU imports. | 25.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38123910 to the United States were €8.6 million in 2025. | 8.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 38123910 was €4.49 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 4.49 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 38123910 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €35.8 million. | 35.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 4,162 enterprises in NACE class C2059 (Manufacture of other chemical products n.e.c.) in 2023. | 4,162 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2059 had net turnover of €74.00 billion in 2023. | 74.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2059 employed 151,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 151,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,259 private establishments in NAICS 325199 (All other basic organic chemical manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,259 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325199 employed an average of 41,745 people in US private industry in 2025. | 41,745 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325199 changed by +5% between 2020 (39,721 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +5 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325199 was $120,877 in 2025. | 120,877 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 38123910, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 66852507
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38123910, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 60595837; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 66852507
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38123910, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 64994314
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38123910, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 113894673
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38123910, partner CH, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 25304497
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38123910, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 8565505
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38123910, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 66852507, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 148833
- 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 38123910, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 35818185
- 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 C2059, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 4162
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2059, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 74000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2059, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 151000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325199, annual_avg_estabs 1259
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325199, annual_avg_emplvl 41745
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 39721; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 41745
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325199, avg_annual_pay 120877
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Polymer processors
- Food makers
- Lubricant blenders
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
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU antioxidants market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €66.9 million of goods under CN 38123910 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €65.0 million.
Where does the EU import antioxidants from?
Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Korea, Republic of, United Kingdom, China.
What is the average import price of antioxidants in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €4.49 per kilogram for CN 38123910 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most antioxidants?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Belgium.
How many US companies are in the antioxidants industry?
BLS counts 1,259 private establishments in NAICS 325199 (All other basic organic chemical manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the antioxidants industry?
Eurostat counts 4,162 enterprises in NACE class C2059 (Manufacture of other chemical products n.e.c.).
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