What this market covers
Toothed rubber belts that keep the crankshaft and camshaft in time. Vehicle makers and the replacement market buy them.
Typical segments
- Rubber timing belts
- Belt kits
- Oil resistant belts
- Heavy duty belts
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +153% 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 €76.4 million of products under CN code 40103500 (Endless synchronous belts, of vulcanised rubber, of an outside circumference > 60 cm but) from outside the EU in 2025. | 76.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 40103500 were up 153% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€30.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +153 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 40103500 to countries outside the EU were worth €143.7 million in 2025. | 143.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 40103500 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €217.8 million in 2025. | 217.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 40103500 to the EU in 2025, with €53.9 million, or 71% of extra-EU imports. | 53.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 40103500 to the United States were €9.7 million in 2025. | 9.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 40103500 was €42.56 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 42.56 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 40103500 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €59.4 million. | 59.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 6,400 enterprises in NACE class C2219 (Manufacture of other rubber products) in 2023. | 6,400 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2219 had net turnover of €36.50 billion in 2023. | 36.50 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2219 employed 193,413 people across the EU in 2023. | 193,413 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 497 private establishments in NAICS 326220 (Rubber and plastics hoses and belting manufacturing) in 2025. | 497 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 326220 employed an average of 22,567 people in US private industry in 2025. | 22,567 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 326220 changed by +6% between 2020 (21,343 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +6 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 326220 was $72,287 in 2025. | 72,287 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 40103500, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 76366070
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 40103500, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 30175244; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 76366070
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 40103500, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 143691182
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 40103500, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 217814504
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 40103500, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 53876957
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 40103500, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 9742369
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 40103500, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 76366070, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 17945
- 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 40103500, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 59441512
- 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 C2219, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 6400
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2219, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 36500
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2219, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 193413
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326220, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326220, annual_avg_estabs 497
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326220, annual_avg_emplvl 22567
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 21343; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 22567
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326220, avg_annual_pay 72287
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Aftermarket distributors
- Repair workshops
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 automotive timing belt market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €76.4 million of goods under CN 40103500 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €143.7 million.
Where does the EU import automotive timing belt from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, Japan, United States.
What is the average import price of automotive timing belt in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €42.56 per kilogram for CN 40103500 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most automotive timing belt?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Belgium.
How many US companies are in the automotive timing belt industry?
BLS counts 497 private establishments in NAICS 326220 (Rubber and plastics hoses and belting manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the automotive timing belt industry?
Eurostat counts 6,400 enterprises in NACE class C2219 (Manufacture of other rubber products).
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