+41 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 390110 were up 41% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€1.19 billion), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat1.53 EUR billion
EU exports of CN 390110 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.53 billion in 2025.
Eurostat5.75 EUR billion
Trade between EU member states in CN 390110 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €5.75 billion in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +41% 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 +1% since 2020.
What this market covers
High volume polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and PVC used in packaging, pipes and consumer goods. Converters buy them as resin pellets and powders.
Typical segments
- Polyethylene
- Polypropylene
- Polyvinyl chloride
- Polystyrene
Who buys
- Packaging converters
- Pipe and profile makers
- Consumer goods makers
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 427.5 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 302.7 EUR million |
| Qatar | 175.0 EUR million |
| Korea, Republic of | 110.1 EUR million |
| Saudi Arabia | 101.4 EUR million |
| Brazil | 91.9 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €1.68 billion of products under CN code 390110 (Polyethylene with a specific gravity of < 0,94, in primary forms) from outside the EU in 2025. | 1.68 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 390110 were up 41% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€1.19 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +41 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 390110 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.53 billion in 2025. | 1.53 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 390110 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €5.75 billion in 2025. | 5.75 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 390110 to the EU in 2025, with €427.5 million, or 25% of extra-EU imports. | 427.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 390110 to the United States were €72.3 million in 2025. | 72.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 390110 was €1.10 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 1.10 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 390110 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €364.4 million. | 364.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 2,353 enterprises in NACE class C2016 (Manufacture of plastics in primary forms) in 2022. | 2,353 enterprises | 2022 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2016 had net turnover of €110.91 billion in 2023. | 110.91 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2016 employed 142,189 people across the EU in 2023. | 142,189 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,635 private establishments in NAICS 325211 (Plastics material and resin manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,635 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325211 employed an average of 58,603 people in US private industry in 2025. | 58,603 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325211 changed by +1% between 2020 (58,141 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +1 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325211 was $116,913 in 2025. | 116,913 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 commodity plastic market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €1.68 billion of goods under CN 390110 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.53 billion.
Where does the EU import commodity plastic from?
United States from 1995 -> 2000) was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were United Kingdom, Qatar, Korea, Republic of.
What is the average import price of commodity plastic in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €1.10 per kilogram for CN 390110 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most commodity plastic?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Belgium, Sweden.
How many US companies are in the commodity plastic industry?
BLS counts 1,635 private establishments in NAICS 325211 (Plastics material and resin manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the commodity plastic industry?
Eurostat counts 2,353 enterprises in NACE class C2016 (Manufacture of plastics in primary forms).
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 390110, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1676580659
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 390110, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1185962890; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1676580659
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 390110, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1529175757
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 390110, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5752702230
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 390110, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 427504351
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 390110, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 72254619
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 390110, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1676580659, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 15288294
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 390110, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 364435004
- 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 C2016, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2022, 2353
- 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 C2016, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 110914
- 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 C2016, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 142189
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325211, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325211, annual_avg_estabs 1635
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325211, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325211, annual_avg_emplvl 58603
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325211, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 58141; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 58603
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325211, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325211, avg_annual_pay 116913
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