What this market covers
Wafers, substrates and epitaxial layers of materials such as gallium nitride, silicon carbide and gallium arsenide. Chip makers buy them to build power, radio frequency and optical devices.
Typical segments
- Silicon carbide wafers
- Gallium nitride wafers
- Gallium arsenide wafers
- Epitaxial layers
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.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
- US employment in the core industry shifted +7% 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 €1.59 billion of products under CN code 381800 (Chemical elements and compounds doped for use in electronics, in the form of discs,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 1.59 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 381800 were up 43% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€1.11 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +43 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 381800 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.55 billion in 2025. | 1.55 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 381800 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €397.8 million in 2025. | 397.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Japan was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 381800 to the EU in 2025, with €545.1 million, or 34% of extra-EU imports. | 545.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 381800 to the United States were €257.1 million in 2025. | 257.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 381800 was €442.52 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 442.52 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 381800 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €749.7 million. | 749.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 7,473 enterprises in NACE class C2611 (Manufacture of electronic components) in 2022. | 7,473 enterprises | 2022 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2611 employed 229,882 people across the EU in 2021. | 229,882 persons employed | 2021 | Eurostat |
| The US had 2,533 private establishments in NAICS 334413 (Semiconductor and related device manufacturing) in 2025. | 2,533 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 334413 employed an average of 197,161 people in US private industry in 2025. | 197,161 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 334413 changed by +7% between 2020 (184,956 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +7 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 334413 was $281,331 in 2025. | 281,331 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 381800, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1590393205
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 381800, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1111420333; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1590393205
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 381800, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1545876163
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 381800, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 397833268
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 381800, partner JP, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 545108294
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 381800, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 257113143
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 381800, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1590393205, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 35940
- 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 381800, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 749710722
- 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 C2611, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2022, 7473
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2611, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2021, 229882
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 334413, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334413, annual_avg_estabs 2533
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334413, annual_avg_emplvl 197161
- Figure 13
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 184956; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 197161
- Figure 14
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334413, avg_annual_pay 281331
- Figure 11
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Chip manufacturers
- Power device makers
- Optical device makers
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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU compound semiconductor materials market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €1.59 billion of goods under CN 381800 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.55 billion.
Where does the EU import compound semiconductor materials from?
Japan was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, China, Singapore.
What is the average import price of compound semiconductor materials in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €442.52 per kilogram for CN 381800 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most compound semiconductor materials?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Czechia.
How many US companies are in the compound semiconductor materials industry?
BLS counts 2,533 private establishments in NAICS 334413 (Semiconductor and related device manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the compound semiconductor materials industry?
Eurostat counts 7,473 enterprises in NACE class C2611 (Manufacture of electronic components).
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