-31 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 38151200 were down 31% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€2.45 billion), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat1.95 EUR billion
EU exports of CN 38151200 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.95 billion in 2025.
Eurostat3.73 EUR billion
Trade between EU member states in CN 38151200 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €3.73 billion in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -31% 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 +11% since 2020.
What this market covers
Catalysts speed up chemical reactions without being used up, and are used in refining, chemicals, polymers and emission control. Producers supply them to plants in solid and liquid forms.
Typical segments
- Refining catalysts
- Polymerization catalysts
- Chemical synthesis catalysts
- Environmental catalysts
Who buys
- Refineries
- Chemical producers
- Automotive emission system makers
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| North Macedonia | 1,380.8 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 103.8 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 65.6 EUR million |
| South Africa | 63.4 EUR million |
| Japan | 42.3 EUR million |
| Korea, Republic of | 16.2 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €1.70 billion of products under CN code 38151200 (Supported catalysts with precious metal or a precious-metal compound as the active) from outside the EU in 2025. | 1.70 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 38151200 were down 31% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€2.45 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | -31 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38151200 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.95 billion in 2025. | 1.95 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 38151200 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €3.73 billion in 2025. | 3.73 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| North Macedonia was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 38151200 to the EU in 2025, with €1.38 billion, or 81% of extra-EU imports. | 1.38 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38151200 to the United States were €243.6 million in 2025. | 243.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 38151200 was €167.13 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 167.13 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 38151200 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €696.0 million. | 696.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 4,162 enterprises in NACE class C2059 (Manufacture of other chemical products n.e.c.) in 2023. | 4,162 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2059 had net turnover of €74.00 billion in 2023. | 74.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2059 employed 151,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 151,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 2,332 private establishments in NAICS 325998 (All other miscellaneous chemical product and preparation manufacturing) in 2025. | 2,332 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325998 employed an average of 43,439 people in US private industry in 2025. | 43,439 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325998 changed by +11% between 2020 (39,148 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +11 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325998 was $101,547 in 2025. | 101,547 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
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
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU catalyst market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €1.70 billion of goods under CN 38151200 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.95 billion.
Where does the EU import catalyst from?
North Macedonia was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were United States from 1995 -> 2000), United Kingdom, South Africa.
What is the average import price of catalyst in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €167.13 per kilogram for CN 38151200 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most catalyst?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Belgium, Italy.
How many US companies are in the catalyst industry?
BLS counts 2,332 private establishments in NAICS 325998 (All other miscellaneous chemical product and preparation manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the catalyst industry?
Eurostat counts 4,162 enterprises in NACE class C2059 (Manufacture of other chemical products n.e.c.).
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 38151200, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1703250550
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38151200, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 2454991817; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1703250550
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38151200, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1945205679
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38151200, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3727469666
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38151200, partner MK, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1380761062
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38151200, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 243584075
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38151200, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1703250550, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 101911
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 38151200, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 695970057
- 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 C2059, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 4162
- 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 C2059, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 74000
- 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 C2059, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 151000
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325998, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325998, annual_avg_estabs 2332
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325998, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325998, annual_avg_emplvl 43439
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325998, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 39148; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 43439
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325998, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325998, avg_annual_pay 101547
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