+49 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 25081000 were up 49% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€118.3 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat46.5 EUR million
EU exports of CN 25081000 to countries outside the EU were worth €46.5 million in 2025.
Eurostat311.6 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 25081000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €311.6 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +49% 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.
What this market covers
A swelling clay used in drilling fluids, foundry sand, cat litter and sealing. Oil services, foundries and consumer goods makers buy it.
Typical segments
- Sodium bentonite
- Calcium bentonite
- Drilling grade
- Foundry grade
- Cat litter grade
Who buys
- Oil and gas drillers
- Foundries
- Pet product makers
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| Türkiye | 114.2 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 14.0 EUR million |
| India | 10.7 EUR million |
| China | 7.3 EUR million |
| Canada | 6.4 EUR million |
| Georgia | 5.5 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €175.8 million of products under CN code 25081000 (Bentonite) from outside the EU in 2025. | 175.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 25081000 were up 49% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€118.3 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +49 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 25081000 to countries outside the EU were worth €46.5 million in 2025. | 46.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 25081000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €311.6 million in 2025. | 311.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Türkiye was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 25081000 to the EU in 2025, with €114.2 million, or 65% of extra-EU imports. | 114.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 25081000 to the United States were €651 thousand in 2025. | 651 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 25081000 was €0.17 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 0.17 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Netherlands was the largest EU exporter of CN 25081000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €10.9 million. | 10.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 8,000 enterprises in NACE class B0812 (Operation of gravel and sand pits; mining of clays and kaolin) in 2023. | 8,000 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class B0812 had net turnover of €18.75 billion in 2023. | 18.75 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class B0812 employed 83,941 people across the EU in 2023. | 83,941 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 180 private establishments in NAICS 212323 (Kaolin, clay, and ceramic and refractory minerals mining) in 2025. | 180 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 212323 employed an average of 6,102 people in US private industry in 2025. | 6,102 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 212323 was $88,838 in 2025. | 88,838 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
What the full report covers
- 1
Executive summary
The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.
- 2
Market size and outlook
History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.
- 3
Segments and regions
Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.
- 4
Company profiles
The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.
- 5
Data and method
Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.
- 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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- Excel data pack
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU bentonite market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €175.8 million of goods under CN 25081000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €46.5 million.
Where does the EU import bentonite from?
Türkiye was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were United States from 1995 -> 2000), India, China.
What is the average import price of bentonite in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €0.17 per kilogram for CN 25081000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most bentonite?
Netherlands led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, Spain.
How many US companies are in the bentonite industry?
BLS counts 180 private establishments in NAICS 212323 (Kaolin, clay, and ceramic and refractory minerals mining), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the bentonite industry?
Eurostat counts 8,000 enterprises in NACE class B0812 (Operation of gravel and sand pits; mining of clays and kaolin).
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)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 25081000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 175810007
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 25081000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 118347697; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 175810007
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 25081000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 46506821
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 25081000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 311622507
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 25081000, partner TR, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 114173996
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 25081000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 650584
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 25081000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 175810007, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 10206637
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter NL, product 25081000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 10909056
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 B0812, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 8000
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 B0812, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 18749
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 B0812, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 83941
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 212323, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 212323, annual_avg_estabs 180
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 212323, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 212323, annual_avg_emplvl 6102
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 212323, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 212323, avg_annual_pay 88838
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