+22 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 69091900 were up 22% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€480.7 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat978.7 EUR million
EU exports of CN 69091900 to countries outside the EU were worth €978.7 million in 2025.
Eurostat863.4 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 69091900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €863.4 million 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.
- US employment in the core industry shifted -5% since 2020.
What this market covers
Small precise balls made from alumina, zirconia or silicon nitride. Used in bearings, valves, grinding mills and pumps where wear and corrosion matter.
Typical segments
- Silicon nitride balls
- Zirconia balls
- Alumina balls
- Grinding media
Who buys
- Bearing makers
- Valve makers
- Mineral processors
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 202.8 EUR million |
| China | 182.7 EUR million |
| Japan | 62.4 EUR million |
| Mexico | 56.4 EUR million |
| Switzerland | 25.3 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 14.1 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €587.1 million of products under CN code 69091900 (Ceramic wares for chemical or other technical uses) from outside the EU in 2025. | 587.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 69091900 were up 22% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€480.7 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +22 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 69091900 to countries outside the EU were worth €978.7 million in 2025. | 978.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 69091900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €863.4 million in 2025. | 863.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 69091900 to the EU in 2025, with €202.8 million, or 35% of extra-EU imports. | 202.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 69091900 to the United States were €136.8 million in 2025. | 136.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 69091900 was €16.48 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 16.48 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 69091900 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €542.0 million. | 542.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 1,442 enterprises in NACE class C2349 (Manufacture of other ceramic products) in 2023. | 1,442 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 797 private establishments in NAICS 327110 (Pottery, ceramics, and plumbing fixture manufacturing) in 2025. | 797 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 327110 employed an average of 12,332 people in US private industry in 2025. | 12,332 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 327110 changed by -5% between 2020 (13,049 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -5 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 327110 was $68,102 in 2025. | 68,102 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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU ceramic balls market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €587.1 million of goods under CN 69091900 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €978.7 million.
Where does the EU import ceramic balls from?
United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were China, Japan, Mexico.
What is the average import price of ceramic balls in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €16.48 per kilogram for CN 69091900 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most ceramic balls?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Poland, Hungary.
How many US companies are in the ceramic balls industry?
BLS counts 797 private establishments in NAICS 327110 (Pottery, ceramics, and plumbing fixture manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the ceramic balls industry?
Eurostat counts 1,442 enterprises in NACE class C2349 (Manufacture of other ceramic products).
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 69091900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 587058960
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 69091900, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 480735595; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 587058960
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 69091900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 978746448
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 69091900, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 863391665
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 69091900, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 202781933
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 69091900, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 136809384
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 69091900, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 587058960, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 356287
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 69091900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 541994434
- 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 C2349, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 1442
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327110, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327110, annual_avg_estabs 797
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327110, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327110, annual_avg_emplvl 12332
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327110, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 13049; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 12332
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327110, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327110, avg_annual_pay 68102
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