+51 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 68061000 were up 51% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€175.4 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat413.7 EUR million
EU exports of CN 68061000 to countries outside the EU were worth €413.7 million in 2025.
Eurostat1.55 EUR billion
Trade between EU member states in CN 68061000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.55 billion in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +51% 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 +4% since 2020.
What this market covers
Cold insulation covers materials that stop heat gain on chilled pipes, tanks and cold rooms. Industrial plants, cold storage builders and building contractors specify it.
Typical segments
- Elastomeric foam
- Polyurethane foam
- Mineral wool
- Cellular glass
- Phenolic foam
Who buys
- Industrial plants
- Cold storage builders
- Building contractors
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 77.9 EUR million |
| Norway | 38.9 EUR million |
| Ukraine | 38.5 EUR million |
| Türkiye | 23.3 EUR million |
| China | 19.9 EUR million |
| Serbia | 19.4 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €265.5 million of products under CN code 68061000 (Slag-wool, rock-wool and similar mineral wools, incl. intermixtures thereof, in bulk,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 265.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 68061000 were up 51% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€175.4 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +51 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 68061000 to countries outside the EU were worth €413.7 million in 2025. | 413.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 68061000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.55 billion in 2025. | 1.55 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 68061000 to the EU in 2025, with €77.9 million, or 29% of extra-EU imports. | 77.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 68061000 to the United States were €21.2 million in 2025. | 21.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 68061000 was €1.35 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 1.35 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 68061000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €103.3 million. | 103.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 2,400 enterprises in NACE class C2399 (Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products n.e.c.) in 2023. | 2,400 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2399 had net turnover of €25.50 billion in 2023. | 25.50 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2399 employed 71,389 people across the EU in 2023. | 71,389 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 287 private establishments in NAICS 327993 (Mineral wool manufacturing) in 2025. | 287 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 327993 employed an average of 17,287 people in US private industry in 2025. | 17,287 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 327993 changed by +4% between 2020 (16,562 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +4 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 327993 was $87,097 in 2025. | 87,097 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
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU cold insulation market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €265.5 million of goods under CN 68061000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €413.7 million.
Where does the EU import cold insulation from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were Norway, Ukraine, Türkiye.
What is the average import price of cold insulation in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €1.35 per kilogram for CN 68061000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cold insulation?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Poland, Netherlands.
How many US companies are in the cold insulation industry?
BLS counts 287 private establishments in NAICS 327993 (Mineral wool manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cold insulation industry?
Eurostat counts 2,400 enterprises in NACE class C2399 (Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products n.e.c.).
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 68061000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 265544300
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 68061000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 175412475; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 265544300
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 68061000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 413712716
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 68061000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1551557265
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 68061000, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 77917948
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 68061000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 21157879
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 68061000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 265544300, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1972619
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 68061000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 103265810
- 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 C2399, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 2400
- 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 C2399, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 25505
- 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 C2399, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 71389
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327993, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327993, annual_avg_estabs 287
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327993, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327993, annual_avg_emplvl 17287
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327993, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 16562; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 17287
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327993, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327993, avg_annual_pay 87097
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