-5 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 34023990 were down 5% in 2025 compared with 2022 (€150.1 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat506.2 EUR million
EU exports of CN 34023990 to countries outside the EU were worth €506.2 million in 2025.
Eurostat747.4 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 34023990 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €747.4 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -5% from 2022 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.
What this market covers
Surface active agents made by microbes or from plant raw materials, used in cleaning and personal care. Buyers are detergent, cosmetic and oil field firms.
Typical segments
- Rhamnolipids
- Sophorolipids
- Sugar based surfactants
- Lipopeptides
Who buys
- Detergent makers
- Cosmetic brands
- Oil and gas firms
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 35.5 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 27.4 EUR million |
| Norway | 27.0 EUR million |
| India | 10.5 EUR million |
| China | 10.3 EUR million |
| Indonesia | 6.5 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €142.0 million of products under CN code 34023990 (Anionic organic surface-active agents, whether or not put up for retail sale) from outside the EU in 2025. | 142.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 34023990 were down 5% in 2025 compared with 2022 (€150.1 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -5 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 34023990 to countries outside the EU were worth €506.2 million in 2025. | 506.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 34023990 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €747.4 million in 2025. | 747.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 34023990 to the EU in 2025, with €35.5 million, or 25% of extra-EU imports. | 35.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 34023990 to the United States were €40.9 million in 2025. | 40.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 34023990 was €2.37 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.37 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 34023990 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €196.9 million. | 196.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2041 employed 89,400 people across the EU in 2023. | 89,400 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 155 private establishments in NAICS 325613 (Surface active agent manufacturing) in 2025. | 155 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325613 employed an average of 4,384 people in US private industry in 2025. | 4,384 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325613 changed by -6% between 2020 (4,684 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -6 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325613 was $105,488 in 2025. | 105,488 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
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU biosurfactants market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €142.0 million of goods under CN 34023990 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €506.2 million.
Where does the EU import biosurfactants from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were United States from 1995 -> 2000), Norway, India.
What is the average import price of biosurfactants in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.37 per kilogram for CN 34023990 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most biosurfactants?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Spain.
How many US companies are in the biosurfactants industry?
BLS counts 155 private establishments in NAICS 325613 (Surface active agent manufacturing), the closest official industry.
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 34023990, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 141979748
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34023990, flow import, 2022 VALUE_IN_EUROS 150111204; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 141979748
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34023990, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 506239452
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34023990, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 747358387
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34023990, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 35485675
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34023990, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 40865265
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34023990, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 141979748, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 599528
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 34023990, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 196859454
- 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 C2041, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 89400
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325613, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325613, annual_avg_estabs 155
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325613, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325613, annual_avg_emplvl 4384
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325613, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 4684; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 4384
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325613, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325613, avg_annual_pay 105488
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