-1 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 29239000 were down 1% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€173.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat154.5 EUR million
EU exports of CN 29239000 to countries outside the EU were worth €154.5 million in 2025.
Eurostat244.8 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 29239000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €244.8 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -1% 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
A quaternary ammonium reagent that adds positive charge to starch and cellulose, used in paper, textile and personal care products. Starch modifiers and chemical makers buy it.
Typical segments
- Cationic starch production
- Cationic cellulose
- Personal care polymers
- Textile treatment
Who buys
- Starch processors
- Paper chemical makers
- Personal care ingredient makers
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| China | 120.5 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 23.3 EUR million |
| India | 9.9 EUR million |
| Switzerland | 7.1 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 3.9 EUR million |
| Japan | 3.7 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €172.0 million of products under CN code 29239000 (Quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxides) from outside the EU in 2025. | 172.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 29239000 were down 1% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€173.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -1 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 29239000 to countries outside the EU were worth €154.5 million in 2025. | 154.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 29239000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €244.8 million in 2025. | 244.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 29239000 to the EU in 2025, with €120.5 million, or 70% of extra-EU imports. | 120.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 29239000 to the United States were €35.4 million in 2025. | 35.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 29239000 was €2.49 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.49 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Finland was the largest EU exporter of CN 29239000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €34.5 million. | 34.5 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 |
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
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- Excel data pack
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU CHPTAC market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €172.0 million of goods under CN 29239000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €154.5 million.
Where does the EU import CHPTAC from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were United States from 1995 -> 2000), India, Switzerland.
What is the average import price of CHPTAC in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.49 per kilogram for CN 29239000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most CHPTAC?
Finland led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Germany.
How many US companies are in the CHPTAC 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 CHPTAC industry?
Eurostat counts 1,920 enterprises in NACE class C2014 (Manufacture of other organic basic chemicals).
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 29239000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 172032401
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29239000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 173150050; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 172032401
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29239000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 154478450
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29239000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 244788948
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29239000, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 120543019
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29239000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 35361968
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29239000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 172032401, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 691895
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter FI, product 29239000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 34511546
- 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 C2014, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 1920
- 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 C2014, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 210000
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325199, annual_avg_estabs 1259
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325199, annual_avg_emplvl 41745
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 39721; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 41745
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325199, avg_annual_pay 120877
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