-61 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 90222100 were down 61% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€25.5 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat106.5 EUR million
EU exports of CN 90222100 to countries outside the EU were worth €106.5 million in 2025.
Eurostat67.7 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 90222100 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €67.7 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -61% 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 -9% since 2020.
- Clinical research is active, with studies recruiting now.
What this market covers
Machines that move a radioactive source through catheters into a tumor and back to a shielded safe after treatment. They are used for high dose rate brachytherapy.
Typical segments
- Iridium 192 afterloaders
- Cobalt 60 afterloaders
- Ytterbium based afterloaders
- Mobile afterloaders
Who buys
- Cancer hospitals
- Radiation oncology centers
- University hospitals
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 5.5 EUR million |
| Australia | 0.9 EUR million |
| Canada | 0.9 EUR million |
| China | 0.7 EUR million |
| Japan | 0.6 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 0.4 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €10.0 million of products under CN code 90222100 (Apparatus based on the use of alpha, beta or gamma radiations, for medical, surgical,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 10.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 90222100 were down 61% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€25.5 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -61 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90222100 to countries outside the EU were worth €106.5 million in 2025. | 106.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 90222100 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €67.7 million in 2025. | 67.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 90222100 to the EU in 2025, with €5.5 million, or 55% of extra-EU imports. | 5.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90222100 to the United States were €36.2 million in 2025. | 36.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 90222100 was €87.23 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 87.23 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Sweden was the largest EU exporter of CN 90222100 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €47.6 million. | 47.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 1,791 enterprises in NACE class C2660 (Manufacture of irradiation, electromedical and electrotherapeutic equipment) in 2023. | 1,791 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2660 had net turnover of €30.54 billion in 2023. | 30.54 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2660 employed 74,126 people across the EU in 2021. | 74,126 persons employed | 2021 | Eurostat |
| The US had 298 private establishments in NAICS 334517 (Irradiation apparatus manufacturing) in 2025. | 298 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 334517 employed an average of 12,771 people in US private industry in 2025. | 12,771 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 334517 changed by -9% between 2020 (13,969 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -9 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 334517 was $135,443 in 2025. | 135,443 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| The FDA has recorded 4 510(k) clearances for devices named "remote afterloader". | 4 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA) |
| Varian Medical Systems, Inc. holds 2 510(k) clearances for devices named "remote afterloader". | 2 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA) |
| Nucletron-Oldelft Corp. holds 1 510(k) clearances for devices named "remote afterloader". | 1 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA) |
| Rts Technology, Inc. holds 1 510(k) clearances for devices named "remote afterloader". | 1 510(k) clearances | 2026 | U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA) |
| ClinicalTrials.gov lists 11,473 registered studies for the condition "cervical cancer". | 11,473 registered studies | 2026 | U.S. National Library of Medicine (ClinicalTrials.gov) |
| 1,885 of those studies were recruiting participants when checked in November 2026. | 1,885 recruiting studies | 2026 | U.S. National Library of Medicine (ClinicalTrials.gov) |
Companies to watch
Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
2 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "remote afterloader".
Nucletron-Oldelft Corp.
1 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "remote afterloader".
Rts Technology, Inc.
1 FDA 510(k) clearances for devices named "remote afterloader".
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 brachytherapy afterloaders market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €10.0 million of goods under CN 90222100 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €106.5 million.
Where does the EU import brachytherapy afterloaders from?
United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were Australia, Canada, China.
What is the average import price of brachytherapy afterloaders in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €87.23 per kilogram for CN 90222100 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most brachytherapy afterloaders?
Sweden led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Germany.
How many brachytherapy afterloaders devices are cleared by the FDA?
openFDA lists 4 510(k) clearances for devices named remote afterloader.
Which companies hold the most FDA clearances for brachytherapy afterloaders?
By 510(k) count: Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Nucletron-Oldelft Corp., Rts Technology, Inc..
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 90222100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 10013598
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90222100, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 25546975; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 10013598
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90222100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 106472002
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90222100, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 67706312
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90222100, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5500738
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90222100, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 36156847
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90222100, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 10013598, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1148
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter SE, product 90222100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 47594463
- 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 C2660, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 1791
- 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 C2660, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 30540
- 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 C2660, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2021, 74126
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 334517, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334517, annual_avg_estabs 298
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 334517, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334517, annual_avg_emplvl 12771
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 334517, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 13969; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 12771
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 334517, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334517, avg_annual_pay 135443
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA): openFDA 510(k) clearances, device_name "remote afterloader" (2026-11-04)
openFDA device/510k device_name:"remote afterloader", sum of counts by decision_date = 4
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA): openFDA 510(k) clearances by applicant, device_name "remote afterloader" (2026-11-04)
applicant.exact "Varian Medical Systems, Inc." count 2
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA): openFDA 510(k) clearances by applicant, device_name "remote afterloader" (2026-11-04)
applicant.exact "Nucletron-Oldelft Corp." count 1
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (openFDA): openFDA 510(k) clearances by applicant, device_name "remote afterloader" (2026-11-04)
applicant.exact "Rts Technology, Inc." count 1
- U.S. National Library of Medicine (ClinicalTrials.gov): ClinicalTrials.gov API v2, condition "cervical cancer" (2026-11-04)
query.cond=cervical cancer totalCount 11473
- U.S. National Library of Medicine (ClinicalTrials.gov): ClinicalTrials.gov API v2, condition "cervical cancer", status recruiting (2026-11-04)
filter.overallStatus=RECRUITING totalCount 1885
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