+825 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 28041000 were up 825% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€735 thousand), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat8.6 EUR million
EU exports of CN 28041000 to countries outside the EU were worth €8.6 million in 2025.
Eurostat83.6 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 28041000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €83.6 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +825% 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 +18% since 2020.
What this market covers
Hydrogen produced with low or no carbon emissions, such as from water electrolysis with renewable power or from gas with carbon capture. Used in industry, transport and power.
Typical segments
- Green hydrogen
- Blue hydrogen
- Electrolyzers
- Hydrogen storage and transport
Who buys
- Refineries
- Steel makers
- Fertilizer producers
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 3.7 EUR million |
| Norway | 1.1 EUR million |
| Switzerland | 0.8 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 0.6 EUR million |
| Serbia | 0.4 EUR million |
| Israel | 0.1 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €6.8 million of products under CN code 28041000 (Hydrogen) from outside the EU in 2025. | 6.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 28041000 were up 825% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€735 thousand), calculated from Eurostat values. | +825 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28041000 to countries outside the EU were worth €8.6 million in 2025. | 8.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 28041000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €83.6 million in 2025. | 83.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 28041000 to the EU in 2025, with €3.7 million, or 54% of extra-EU imports. | 3.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28041000 to the United States were €99 thousand in 2025. | 99 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 28041000 was €0.12 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 0.12 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Netherlands was the largest EU exporter of CN 28041000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €5.5 million. | 5.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 1,063 enterprises in NACE class C2011 (Manufacture of industrial gases) in 2023. | 1,063 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2011 had net turnover of €21.56 billion in 2023. | 21.56 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2011 employed 37,116 people across the EU in 2021. | 37,116 persons employed | 2021 | Eurostat |
| The US had 956 private establishments in NAICS 325120 (Industrial gas manufacturing) in 2025. | 956 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325120 employed an average of 22,011 people in US private industry in 2025. | 22,011 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325120 changed by +18% between 2020 (18,652 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +18 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325120 was $156,545 in 2025. | 156,545 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 clean hydrogen market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €6.8 million of goods under CN 28041000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €8.6 million.
Where does the EU import clean hydrogen from?
United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of clean hydrogen in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €0.12 per kilogram for CN 28041000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most clean hydrogen?
Netherlands led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, France.
How many US companies are in the clean hydrogen industry?
BLS counts 956 private establishments in NAICS 325120 (Industrial gas manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the clean hydrogen industry?
Eurostat counts 1,063 enterprises in NACE class C2011 (Manufacture of industrial gases).
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 28041000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6794316
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28041000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 734760; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 6794316
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28041000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 8629986
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28041000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 83649291
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28041000, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3675669
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28041000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 98783
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28041000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6794316, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 574745
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter NL, product 28041000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5491782
- 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 C2011, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 1063
- 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 C2011, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 21563
- 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 C2011, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2021, 37116
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325120, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325120, annual_avg_estabs 956
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325120, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325120, annual_avg_emplvl 22011
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325120, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 18652; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 22011
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325120, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325120, avg_annual_pay 156545
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