+22 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 28030000 were up 22% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€486.1 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat579.4 EUR million
EU exports of CN 28030000 to countries outside the EU were worth €579.4 million in 2025.
Eurostat1.29 EUR billion
Trade between EU member states in CN 28030000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.29 billion in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +22% 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.
What this market covers
Fine black carbon powder made by burning hydrocarbons with limited air. Mostly used to reinforce tyres and rubber goods and as a pigment in plastics and inks.
Typical segments
- Tyre grade carbon black
- Specialty carbon black
- Conductive carbon black
- Pigment carbon black
Who buys
- Tyre makers
- Rubber goods makers
- Plastics compounders
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| India | 141.8 EUR million |
| China | 103.8 EUR million |
| Egypt | 91.1 EUR million |
| Ukraine | 62.9 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 58.4 EUR million |
| Japan | 25.5 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €592.2 million of products under CN code 28030000 (Carbon "carbon blacks and other forms of carbon", n.e.s.) from outside the EU in 2025. | 592.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 28030000 were up 22% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€486.1 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +22 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28030000 to countries outside the EU were worth €579.4 million in 2025. | 579.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 28030000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.29 billion in 2025. | 1.29 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| India was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 28030000 to the EU in 2025, with €141.8 million, or 24% of extra-EU imports. | 141.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28030000 to the United States were €45.6 million in 2025. | 45.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 28030000 was €1.54 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 1.54 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Belgium was the largest EU exporter of CN 28030000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €192.3 million. | 192.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 904 enterprises in NACE class C2013 (Manufacture of other inorganic basic chemicals) in 2023. | 904 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2013 had net turnover of €33.38 billion in 2023. | 33.38 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2013 employed 64,363 people across the EU in 2023. | 64,363 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
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
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU carbon black market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €592.2 million of goods under CN 28030000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €579.4 million.
Where does the EU import carbon black from?
India was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were China, Egypt, Ukraine.
What is the average import price of carbon black in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €1.54 per kilogram for CN 28030000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most carbon black?
Belgium led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, Italy.
How many EU companies are in the carbon black industry?
Eurostat counts 904 enterprises in NACE class C2013 (Manufacture of other inorganic basic chemicals).
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 28030000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 592222942
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28030000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 486077289; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 592222942
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28030000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 579416784
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28030000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1287248288
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28030000, partner IN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 141780471
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28030000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 45618559
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28030000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 592222942, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 3851067
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter BE, product 28030000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 192282691
- 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 C2013, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 904
- 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 C2013, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 33384
- 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 C2013, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 64363
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