What this market covers
Cell free protein expression makes proteins in lab extracts without living cells. Kits and systems serve fast protein production and drug discovery work.
Typical segments
- E. coli extract systems
- Wheat germ systems
- Mammalian extract systems
- Reconstituted systems
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -36% from 2022 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 +23% 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 €5.49 billion of products under CN code 38221900 (Diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory) from outside the EU in 2025. | 5.49 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 38221900 were down 36% in 2025 compared with 2022 (€8.60 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | -36 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38221900 to countries outside the EU were worth €10.38 billion in 2025. | 10.38 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 38221900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €9.74 billion in 2025. | 9.74 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 38221900 to the EU in 2025, with €3.30 billion, or 60% of extra-EU imports. | 3.30 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38221900 to the United States were €2.31 billion in 2025. | 2.31 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 38221900 was €123.36 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 123.36 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 38221900 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €4.62 billion. | 4.62 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 16,517 enterprises in NACE class M7211 (Research and experimental development on biotechnology) in 2023. | 16,517 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class M7211 had net turnover of €30.20 billion in 2023. | 30.20 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class M7211 employed 95,900 people across the EU in 2023. | 95,900 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 830 private establishments in NAICS 325414 (Biological product (except diagnostic) manufacturing) in 2025. | 830 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325414 employed an average of 46,853 people in US private industry in 2025. | 46,853 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325414 changed by +23% between 2020 (38,064 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +23 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325414 was $124,162 in 2025. | 124,162 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| PubMed indexed 98 papers mentioning "cell-free protein synthesis" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 98 papers | 2025 | U.S. National Library of Medicine |
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 38221900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5494247512
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38221900, flow import, 2022 VALUE_IN_EUROS 8597502879; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 5494247512
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38221900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 10381369868
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38221900, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 9737396680
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38221900, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3299232386
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38221900, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2307556427
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38221900, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5494247512, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 445398
- 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 38221900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4616768801
- 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 M7211, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 16517
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 M7211, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 30200
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 M7211, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 95900
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325414, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325414, annual_avg_estabs 830
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325414, annual_avg_emplvl 46853
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 38064; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 46853
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325414, avg_annual_pay 124162
- Figure 12
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed search "cell-free protein synthesis"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 16
esearch count 98
- Figure 16
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Academic labs
- Biotech companies
- Pharmaceutical R and D teams
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 cell free protein expression market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €5.49 billion of goods under CN 38221900 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €10.38 billion.
Where does the EU import cell free protein expression from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan.
What is the average import price of cell free protein expression in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €123.36 per kilogram for CN 38221900 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cell free protein expression?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Sweden.
How many US companies are in the cell free protein expression industry?
BLS counts 830 private establishments in NAICS 325414 (Biological product (except diagnostic) manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cell free protein expression industry?
Eurostat counts 16,517 enterprises in NACE class M7211 (Research and experimental development on biotechnology).
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