What this market covers
Sensors that detect nearby objects or liquid levels through changes in an electric field without touching them. Buyers are machine builders and factory automation firms.
Typical segments
- Cylindrical sensors
- Flat sensors
- Level sensors
- Touch and presence sensors
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +56% 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 +19% 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 €2.72 billion of products under CN code 90318080 (Non-optical instruments, appliances and machines for measuring or checking, n.e.s. in Ch) from outside the EU in 2025. | 2.72 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 90318080 were up 56% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€1.74 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +56 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90318080 to countries outside the EU were worth €4.18 billion in 2025. | 4.18 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 90318080 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €2.89 billion in 2025. | 2.89 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 90318080 to the EU in 2025, with €649.0 million, or 24% of extra-EU imports. | 649.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90318080 to the United States were €938.7 million in 2025. | 938.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 90318080 was €122.71 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 122.71 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 90318080 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €1.92 billion. | 1.92 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 8,828 enterprises in NACE class C2651 (Manufacture of instruments and appliances for measuring, testing and navigation) in 2023. | 8,828 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2651 had net turnover of €95.40 billion in 2023. | 95.40 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2651 employed 390,399 people across the EU in 2023. | 390,399 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,447 private establishments in NAICS 334519 (Other measuring and controlling device manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,447 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 334519 employed an average of 41,096 people in US private industry in 2025. | 41,096 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 334519 changed by +19% between 2020 (34,588 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +19 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 334519 was $182,113 in 2025. | 182,113 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 90318080, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2717306482
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90318080, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1741078687; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 2717306482
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90318080, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4175426645
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90318080, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2889817148
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90318080, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 649026408
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90318080, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 938653632
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90318080, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2717306482, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 221446
- 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 DE, product 90318080, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1924470834
- 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 C2651, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 8828
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2651, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 95400
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2651, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 390399
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 334519, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334519, annual_avg_estabs 1447
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334519, annual_avg_emplvl 41096
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 34588; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 41096
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334519, avg_annual_pay 182113
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Machine builders
- Automation integrators
- Packaging lines
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
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU capacitive proximity sensor market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €2.72 billion of goods under CN 90318080 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €4.18 billion.
Where does the EU import capacitive proximity sensor from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, United Kingdom, Switzerland.
What is the average import price of capacitive proximity sensor in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €122.71 per kilogram for CN 90318080 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most capacitive proximity sensor?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Netherlands.
How many US companies are in the capacitive proximity sensor industry?
BLS counts 1,447 private establishments in NAICS 334519 (Other measuring and controlling device manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the capacitive proximity sensor industry?
Eurostat counts 8,828 enterprises in NACE class C2651 (Manufacture of instruments and appliances for measuring, testing and navigation).
Free sample
Get a free sample of this report
We send the table of contents, two sample chapters and the method note, usually within one working day. You owe us nothing for asking.
- Full table of contents
- Two sample chapters
- Method note and data outline