What this market covers
Plastic film with trapped air pockets used to cushion goods in transit. Online retailers, logistics firms and manufacturers buy it.
Typical segments
- Air bubble rolls
- Bubble mailers
- Bubble bags
- Anti static bubble film
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +4% 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.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €408.7 million of products under CN code 39211900 (Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of cellular plastic, unworked or merely) from outside the EU in 2025. | 408.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 39211900 were up 4% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€393.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +4 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39211900 to countries outside the EU were worth €781.4 million in 2025. | 781.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 39211900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.30 billion in 2025. | 1.30 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 39211900 to the EU in 2025, with €118.0 million, or 29% of extra-EU imports. | 118.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39211900 to the United States were €316.5 million in 2025. | 316.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 39211900 was €11.72 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 11.72 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Ireland was the largest EU exporter of CN 39211900 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €252.2 million. | 252.2 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 |
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)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39211900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 408682675
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39211900, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 393779540; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 408682675
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39211900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 781400695
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39211900, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1298887133
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39211900, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 117952233
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39211900, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 316507350
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39211900, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 408682675, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 348769
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter IE, product 39211900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 252176699
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2222, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 7513
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2222, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 69000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2222, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 272000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326112, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326112, annual_avg_estabs 660
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326112, annual_avg_emplvl 24821
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 21855; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 24821
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326112, avg_annual_pay 80494
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- E commerce retailers
- Logistics firms
- Electronics makers
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 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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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU bubble wrap packaging market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €408.7 million of goods under CN 39211900 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €781.4 million.
Where does the EU import bubble wrap packaging from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, Korea, Republic of, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of bubble wrap packaging in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €11.72 per kilogram for CN 39211900 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most bubble wrap packaging?
Ireland led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, France.
How many US companies are in the bubble wrap packaging 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 bubble wrap packaging industry?
Eurostat counts 7,513 enterprises in NACE class C2222 (Manufacture of plastic packing goods).
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