What this market covers
Polyurethane and other cellular plastic foams used in seats, headrests, dashboards and sound insulation. Buyers are seat and interior suppliers and vehicle makers.
Typical segments
- Flexible seat foam
- Rigid structural foam
- Acoustic foam
- Headrest and armrest foam
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +3% 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 €110.6 million of products under CN code 39211310 (Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of flexible cellular polyurethane, unworked or not) from outside the EU in 2025. | 110.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 39211310 were up 3% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€107.3 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +3 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39211310 to countries outside the EU were worth €285.2 million in 2025. | 285.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 39211310 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €783.2 million in 2025. | 783.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 39211310 to the EU in 2025, with €41.9 million, or 38% of extra-EU imports. | 41.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39211310 to the United States were €34.5 million in 2025. | 34.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 39211310 was €5.27 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 5.27 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 39211310 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €95.2 million. | 95.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 23,690 enterprises in NACE class C2229 (Manufacture of other plastic products) in 2023. | 23,690 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2229 had net turnover of €95.00 billion in 2023. | 95.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2229 employed 550,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 550,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 926 private establishments in NAICS 326150 (Urethane and other foam product (except polystyrene) manufacturing) in 2025. | 926 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 326150 employed an average of 36,878 people in US private industry in 2025. | 36,878 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 326150 changed by +6% between 2020 (34,846 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +6 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 326150 was $65,435 in 2025. | 65,435 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 39211310, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 110587075
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39211310, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 107285560; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 110587075
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39211310, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 285152626
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39211310, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 783181116
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39211310, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 41880616
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39211310, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 34456402
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39211310, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 110587075, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 209959
- 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 39211310, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 95243261
- 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 C2229, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 23690
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2229, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 95000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2229, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 550000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326150, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326150, annual_avg_estabs 926
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326150, annual_avg_emplvl 36878
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 34846; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 36878
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326150, avg_annual_pay 65435
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Seat suppliers
- Interior trim makers
- Vehicle manufacturers
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 automotive foam market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €110.6 million of goods under CN 39211310 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €285.2 million.
Where does the EU import automotive foam from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, China, Serbia.
What is the average import price of automotive foam in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €5.27 per kilogram for CN 39211310 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most automotive foam?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Belgium, Italy.
How many US companies are in the automotive foam industry?
BLS counts 926 private establishments in NAICS 326150 (Urethane and other foam product (except polystyrene) manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the automotive foam industry?
Eurostat counts 23,690 enterprises in NACE class C2229 (Manufacture of other plastic products).
Ask about this market
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