China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Cold chain packaging includes insulated boxes, liners and coolant packs that protect goods during shipping. Food delivery firms, pharmaceutical companies and online retailers buy them.
Typical segments
- Insulated shippers
- Gel and ice packs
- Phase change materials
- Insulated liners
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 60% 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.
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 €1.21 billion of products under CN code 39231090 (Boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packaging of goods, of) from outside the EU in 2025. | 1.21 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 39231090 were up 60% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€759.3 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +60 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39231090 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.69 billion in 2025. | 1.69 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 39231090 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €3.93 billion in 2025. | 3.93 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 39231090 to the EU in 2025, with €283.1 million, or 23% of extra-EU imports. | 283.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39231090 to the United States were €121.5 million in 2025. | 121.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 39231090 was €3.58 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 3.58 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 39231090 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €376.7 million. | 376.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 7,513 enterprises in NACE class C2222 (Manufacture of plastic packing goods) in 2023. | 7,513 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2222 had net turnover of €69.00 billion in 2023. | 69.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2222 employed 272,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 272,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 588 private establishments in NAICS 326140 (Polystyrene foam product manufacturing) in 2025. | 588 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 326140 employed an average of 28,119 people in US private industry in 2025. | 28,119 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 326140 changed by -3% between 2020 (29,048 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -3 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 326140 was $69,446 in 2025. | 69,446 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 39231090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1214474967
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39231090, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 759276022; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1214474967
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39231090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1685336509
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39231090, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3932262180
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39231090, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 283135142
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39231090, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 121509523
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39231090, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1214474967, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 3394401
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 39231090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 376716181
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2222, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 7513
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2222, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 69000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2222, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 272000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326140, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326140, annual_avg_estabs 588
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326140, annual_avg_emplvl 28119
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 29048; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 28119
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326140, avg_annual_pay 69446
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Food delivery firms
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Online retailers
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
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
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU cold chain packaging market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €1.21 billion of goods under CN 39231090 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.69 billion.
Where does the EU import cold chain packaging from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Türkiye, United Kingdom, Serbia.
What is the average import price of cold chain packaging in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €3.58 per kilogram for CN 39231090 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cold chain packaging?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Spain, France.
How many US companies are in the cold chain packaging industry?
BLS counts 588 private establishments in NAICS 326140 (Polystyrene foam product manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cold chain packaging industry?
Eurostat counts 7,513 enterprises in NACE class C2222 (Manufacture of plastic packing goods).
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