What this market covers
Castor oil derivatives include hydrogenated castor oil, sebacic acid and ricinoleic products. They are used in nylon, greases, coatings and cosmetics.
Typical segments
- Hydrogenated castor oil
- Sebacic acid
- Ricinoleic acid
- 12 hydroxystearic acid
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +118% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- US employment in the core industry shifted +5% 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 €42.5 million of products under CN code 15162010 (Hydrogenated castor oil, so called "opal wax") from outside the EU in 2025. | 42.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 15162010 were up 118% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€19.5 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +118 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 15162010 to countries outside the EU were worth €7.0 million in 2025. | 7.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 15162010 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €28.9 million in 2025. | 28.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 15162010 to the United States were €529 thousand in 2025. | 529 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 15162010 was €1.78 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 1.78 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 15162010 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €3.7 million. | 3.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 1,920 enterprises in NACE class C2014 (Manufacture of other organic basic chemicals) in 2023. | 1,920 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2014 employed 210,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 210,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,259 private establishments in NAICS 325199 (All other basic organic chemical manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,259 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325199 employed an average of 41,745 people in US private industry in 2025. | 41,745 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325199 changed by +5% between 2020 (39,721 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +5 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325199 was $120,877 in 2025. | 120,877 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 15162010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 42494021
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15162010, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 19494975; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 42494021
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15162010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 7035696
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15162010, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 28856956
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15162010, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 528933
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 15162010, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 42494021, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 239237
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 15162010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3709390
- Figure 7
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2014, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 1920
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2014, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 210000
- Figure 8
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 10
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325199, annual_avg_estabs 1259
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325199, annual_avg_emplvl 41745
- Figure 12
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 39721; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 41745
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325199, avg_annual_pay 120877
- Figure 10
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Lubricant makers
- Nylon and polymer producers
- Cosmetics and paint makers
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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU castor oil derivative market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €42.5 million of goods under CN 15162010 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €7.0 million.
What is the average import price of castor oil derivative in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €1.78 per kilogram for CN 15162010 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most castor oil derivative?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, France.
How many US companies are in the castor oil derivative industry?
BLS counts 1,259 private establishments in NAICS 325199 (All other basic organic chemical manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the castor oil derivative industry?
Eurostat counts 1,920 enterprises in NACE class C2014 (Manufacture of other organic basic chemicals).
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