What this market covers
Dark residue from distilling coal tar, used as a binder for carbon and graphite products. Aluminium smelters, graphite electrode makers and roofing producers buy it.
Typical segments
- Electrode binder pitch
- Impregnating pitch
- Refractory pitch
- Roofing and coating pitch
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -43% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- US employment in the core industry shifted -4% 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 €1.9 million of products under CN code 27081000 (Pitch obtained from coal tar or from other mineral tars) from outside the EU in 2025. | 1.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 27081000 were down 43% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€3.3 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -43 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 27081000 to countries outside the EU were worth €121.9 million in 2025. | 121.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 27081000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €182.6 million in 2025. | 182.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 27081000 to the United States were €1.6 million in 2025. | 1.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 27081000 was €0.58 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 0.58 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Belgium was the largest EU exporter of CN 27081000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €101.4 million. | 101.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1910 had net turnover of €1.42 billion in 2023. | 1.42 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1910 employed 3,746 people across the EU in 2022. | 3,746 persons employed | 2022 | Eurostat |
| The US had 160 private establishments in NAICS 324199 (All other petroleum and coal products manufacturing) in 2025. | 160 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 324199 employed an average of 4,703 people in US private industry in 2025. | 4,703 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 324199 changed by -4% between 2020 (4,890 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -4 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 324199 was $99,040 in 2025. | 99,040 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
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 27081000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1873384
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27081000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 3274513; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1873384
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27081000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 121919038
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27081000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 182635956
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27081000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1552323
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27081000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1873384, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 32252
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter BE, product 27081000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 101386597
- Figure 7
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1910, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 1415
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1910, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2022, 3746
- Figure 8
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 324199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 10
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 324199, annual_avg_estabs 160
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 324199, annual_avg_emplvl 4703
- Figure 12
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 4890; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 4703
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 324199, avg_annual_pay 99040
- Figure 10
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Aluminium smelters
- Graphite electrode makers
- Refractory producers
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 coal tar pitch market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €1.9 million of goods under CN 27081000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €121.9 million.
What is the average import price of coal tar pitch in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €0.58 per kilogram for CN 27081000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most coal tar pitch?
Belgium led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Poland, Slovakia.
How many US companies are in the coal tar pitch industry?
BLS counts 160 private establishments in NAICS 324199 (All other petroleum and coal products manufacturing), the closest official industry.
Free sample
Get a free sample of this report
We send the table of contents, two sample chapters and the method note, usually within one working day. You owe us nothing for asking.
- Full table of contents
- Two sample chapters
- Method note and data outline