+28 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 39206900 were up 28% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€100.3 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat117.0 EUR million
EU exports of CN 39206900 to countries outside the EU were worth €117.0 million in 2025.
Eurostat178.9 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 39206900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €178.9 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +28% 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.
What this market covers
Thin films made from polylactic acid, starch, cellulose or similar natural sources, used as wrap and liners. Packaging firms, farmers and food brands buy them.
Typical segments
- Polylactic acid film
- Starch film
- Cellulose film
- Compostable mulch film
Who buys
- Packaging makers
- Farmers
- Food brands
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 49.6 EUR million |
| China | 31.0 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 14.5 EUR million |
| India | 9.2 EUR million |
| Japan | 7.4 EUR million |
| Türkiye | 4.8 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €128.5 million of products under CN code 39206900 (Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of non-cellular polyesters, not reinforced,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 128.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 39206900 were up 28% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€100.3 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +28 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39206900 to countries outside the EU were worth €117.0 million in 2025. | 117.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 39206900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €178.9 million in 2025. | 178.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 39206900 to the EU in 2025, with €49.6 million, or 39% of extra-EU imports. | 49.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39206900 to the United States were €65.4 million in 2025. | 65.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 39206900 was €5.34 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 5.34 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 39206900 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €81.2 million. | 81.2 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 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 |
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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU biopolymer films market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €128.5 million of goods under CN 39206900 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €117.0 million.
Where does the EU import biopolymer films from?
United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were China, United Kingdom, India.
What is the average import price of biopolymer films in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €5.34 per kilogram for CN 39206900 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most biopolymer films?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, France.
How many US companies are in the biopolymer 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 biopolymer films 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 39206900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 128524925
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39206900, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 100252867; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 128524925
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39206900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 116989772
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39206900, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 178876210
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39206900, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 49551728
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39206900, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 65415396
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39206900, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 128524925, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 240675
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 39206900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 81187846
- 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 326112, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326112, annual_avg_estabs 660
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326112, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326112, annual_avg_emplvl 24821
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326112, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 21855; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 24821
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326112, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326112, avg_annual_pay 80494
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