+48 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 39129090 were up 48% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€77.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat209.9 EUR million
EU exports of CN 39129090 to countries outside the EU were worth €209.9 million in 2025.
Eurostat216.4 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 39129090 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €216.4 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +48% 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 +1% since 2020.
What this market covers
Polymers based on cellulose, including esters, ethers and regenerated forms. Used in plastics, films, coatings, fibres and drug delivery.
Typical segments
- Cellulose acetate
- Cellulose ethers
- Cellulose nitrate
- Regenerated cellulose
Who buys
- Plastics makers
- Coating makers
- Packaging makers
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| Japan | 34.5 EUR million |
| India | 24.0 EUR million |
| China | 17.2 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 13.6 EUR million |
| Thailand | 9.1 EUR million |
| Taiwan | 8.2 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €114.6 million of products under CN code 39129090 (Cellulose and chemical derivatives thereof, n.e.s., in primary forms) from outside the EU in 2025. | 114.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 39129090 were up 48% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€77.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +48 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39129090 to countries outside the EU were worth €209.9 million in 2025. | 209.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 39129090 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €216.4 million in 2025. | 216.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Japan was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 39129090 to the EU in 2025, with €34.5 million, or 30% of extra-EU imports. | 34.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39129090 to the United States were €32.1 million in 2025. | 32.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 39129090 was €5.35 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 5.35 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Ireland was the largest EU exporter of CN 39129090 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €89.1 million. | 89.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 2,353 enterprises in NACE class C2016 (Manufacture of plastics in primary forms) in 2022. | 2,353 enterprises | 2022 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2016 had net turnover of €110.91 billion in 2023. | 110.91 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2016 employed 142,189 people across the EU in 2023. | 142,189 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,635 private establishments in NAICS 325211 (Plastics material and resin manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,635 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325211 employed an average of 58,603 people in US private industry in 2025. | 58,603 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325211 changed by +1% between 2020 (58,141 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +1 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325211 was $116,913 in 2025. | 116,913 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
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU cellulosic polymers market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €114.6 million of goods under CN 39129090 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €209.9 million.
Where does the EU import cellulosic polymers from?
Japan was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were India, China, United States from 1995 -> 2000).
What is the average import price of cellulosic polymers in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €5.35 per kilogram for CN 39129090 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cellulosic polymers?
Ireland led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, Poland.
How many US companies are in the cellulosic polymers industry?
BLS counts 1,635 private establishments in NAICS 325211 (Plastics material and resin manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cellulosic polymers industry?
Eurostat counts 2,353 enterprises in NACE class C2016 (Manufacture of plastics in primary forms).
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 39129090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 114584399
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39129090, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 77212437; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 114584399
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39129090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 209925910
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39129090, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 216393080
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39129090, partner JP, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 34532919
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39129090, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 32085601
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39129090, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 114584399, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 214021
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter IE, product 39129090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 89139190
- 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 C2016, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2022, 2353
- 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 C2016, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 110914
- 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 C2016, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 142189
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325211, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325211, annual_avg_estabs 1635
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325211, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325211, annual_avg_emplvl 58603
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325211, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 58141; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 58603
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325211, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325211, avg_annual_pay 116913
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