What this market covers
Barrier films are thin plastic or coated films that block oxygen, moisture or aroma. Food, pharmaceutical and electronics packaging makers use them to protect products and extend shelf life.
Typical segments
- High barrier films
- Metallised films
- Coated films
- Multilayer coextruded films
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +17% 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 +14% 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 €659.9 million of products under CN code 392099 (Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of non-cellular plastics, n.e.s., not reinforced,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 659.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 392099 were up 17% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€565.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +17 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 392099 to countries outside the EU were worth €416.9 million in 2025. | 416.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 392099 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €857.3 million in 2025. | 857.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 392099 to the EU in 2025, with €270.6 million, or 41% of extra-EU imports. | 270.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 392099 to the United States were €59.6 million in 2025. | 59.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 392099 was €10.61 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 10.61 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 392099 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €169.3 million. | 169.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 5,480 enterprises in NACE class C2221 (Manufacture of plastic plates, sheets, tubes and profiles) in 2023. | 5,480 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2221 had net turnover of €107.00 billion in 2023. | 107.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2221 employed 370,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 370,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 660 private establishments in NAICS 326112 (Plastics packaging film and sheet (including laminated) manufacturing) in 2025. | 660 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 326112 employed an average of 24,821 people in US private industry in 2025. | 24,821 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 326112 changed by +14% between 2020 (21,855 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +14 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 326112 was $80,494 in 2025. | 80,494 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 392099, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 659865120
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 392099, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 565197613; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 659865120
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 392099, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 416870229
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 392099, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 857341147
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 392099, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 270562906
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 392099, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 59643871
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 392099, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 659865120, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 621678
- 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 392099, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 169311372
- 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 C2221, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 5480
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2221, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 107000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2221, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 370000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326112, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326112, annual_avg_estabs 660
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326112, annual_avg_emplvl 24821
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 21855; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 24821
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326112, avg_annual_pay 80494
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Food packagers
- Pharmaceutical packagers
- Electronics makers
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 barrier films market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €659.9 million of goods under CN 392099 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €416.9 million.
Where does the EU import barrier films from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United Kingdom, China, Japan.
What is the average import price of barrier films in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €10.61 per kilogram for CN 392099 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most barrier films?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, France.
How many US companies are in the barrier films industry?
BLS counts 660 private establishments in NAICS 326112 (Plastics packaging film and sheet (including laminated) manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the barrier films industry?
Eurostat counts 5,480 enterprises in NACE class C2221 (Manufacture of plastic plates, sheets, tubes and profiles).
Ask about this market
Ask about a figure, its source, a definition or the editions. Answers use only what is published on this page and the rest of the site, and link to the original source.
- Where does the 659.9 figure for the Barrier films Market come from?
- How big is the Barrier films Market?
- What does the Barrier films Market cover?
- Who are the largest suppliers in the Barrier films Market?
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