+52 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 39232990 were up 52% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€376.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat486.9 EUR million
EU exports of CN 39232990 to countries outside the EU were worth €486.9 million in 2025.
Eurostat1.40 EUR billion
Trade between EU member states in CN 39232990 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.40 billion in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +52% 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 -1% since 2020.
What this market covers
Bags, films, trays and bottles made from plant based or compostable plastics. Food brands, retailers and food service firms buy them.
Typical segments
- Compostable bags
- Bio based bottles
- Food trays
- Flexible films
Who buys
- Food brands
- Retailers
- Food service operators
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| China | 178.8 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 108.5 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 78.6 EUR million |
| Türkiye | 54.1 EUR million |
| Switzerland | 37.2 EUR million |
| India | 24.1 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €573.0 million of products under CN code 39232990 (Sacks and bags, incl. cones, of plastics) from outside the EU in 2025. | 573.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 39232990 were up 52% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€376.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +52 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39232990 to countries outside the EU were worth €486.9 million in 2025. | 486.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 39232990 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.40 billion in 2025. | 1.40 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 39232990 to the EU in 2025, with €178.8 million, or 31% of extra-EU imports. | 178.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39232990 to the United States were €52.8 million in 2025. | 52.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 39232990 was €5.40 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 5.40 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Italy was the largest EU exporter of CN 39232990 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €82.8 million. | 82.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 7,513 enterprises in NACE class C2222 (Manufacture of plastic packing goods) in 2023. | 7,513 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2222 had net turnover of €69.00 billion in 2023. | 69.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2222 employed 272,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 272,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 6,540 private establishments in NAICS 326199 (All other plastics product manufacturing) in 2025. | 6,540 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 326199 employed an average of 287,654 people in US private industry in 2025. | 287,654 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 326199 changed by -1% between 2020 (289,590 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -1 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 326199 was $67,851 in 2025. | 67,851 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
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU bioplastic packaging market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €573.0 million of goods under CN 39232990 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €486.9 million.
Where does the EU import bioplastic packaging from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were United Kingdom, United States from 1995 -> 2000), Türkiye.
What is the average import price of bioplastic packaging in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €5.40 per kilogram for CN 39232990 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most bioplastic packaging?
Italy led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, Spain.
How many US companies are in the bioplastic packaging industry?
BLS counts 6,540 private establishments in NAICS 326199 (All other plastics product manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the bioplastic packaging industry?
Eurostat counts 7,513 enterprises in NACE class C2222 (Manufacture of plastic packing goods).
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 39232990, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 572993086
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39232990, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 376768970; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 572993086
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39232990, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 486895792
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39232990, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1396146315
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39232990, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 178843676
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39232990, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 52829375
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39232990, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 572993086, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1061338
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter IT, product 39232990, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 82811394
- 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 C2222, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 7513
- 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 C2222, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 69000
- 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 C2222, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 272000
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326199, annual_avg_estabs 6540
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326199, annual_avg_emplvl 287654
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 289590; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 287654
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326199, avg_annual_pay 67851
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