What this market covers
Fabric slings that hold a patient while a hoist or lift moves them between bed, chair and bath. Hospitals, nursing homes and home care providers buy them for safe patient handling.
Typical segments
- Full body slings
- Toileting slings
- Hygiene slings
- Standing slings
- Disposable slings
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -90% 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 +3% 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 €2.08 billion of products under CN code 63079098 (Made-up articles of textile materials, incl. dress patterns, n.e.s.) from outside the EU in 2025. | 2.08 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 63079098 were down 90% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€21.91 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | -90 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 63079098 to countries outside the EU were worth €701.8 million in 2025. | 701.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 63079098 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.61 billion in 2025. | 1.61 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 63079098 to the EU in 2025, with €1.27 billion, or 61% of extra-EU imports. | 1.27 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 63079098 to the United States were €108.6 million in 2025. | 108.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 63079098 was €6.06 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 6.06 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 63079098 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €248.6 million. | 248.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 63,227 enterprises in NACE class C3250 (Manufacture of medical and dental instruments and supplies) in 2023. | 63,227 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C3250 had net turnover of €105.31 billion in 2021. | 105.31 EUR billion | 2021 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C3250 employed 600,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 600,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 3,528 private establishments in NAICS 339113 (Surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing) in 2025. | 3,528 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 339113 employed an average of 105,116 people in US private industry in 2025. | 105,116 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 339113 changed by +3% between 2020 (102,053 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +3 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 339113 was $102,311 in 2025. | 102,311 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 63079098, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2082353160
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63079098, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 21908127473; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 2082353160
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63079098, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 701844797
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63079098, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1608353459
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63079098, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1267018197
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63079098, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 108578657
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 63079098, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2082353160, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 3438560
- 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 63079098, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 248584428
- 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 C3250, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 63227
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3250, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2021, 105308
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3250, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 600000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 339113, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339113, annual_avg_estabs 3528
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339113, annual_avg_emplvl 105116
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 102053; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 105116
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 339113, avg_annual_pay 102311
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Home care providers
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 medical lifting sling market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €2.08 billion of goods under CN 63079098 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €701.8 million.
Where does the EU import medical lifting sling from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Viet Nam, Tunisia, Türkiye.
What is the average import price of medical lifting sling in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €6.06 per kilogram for CN 63079098 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most medical lifting sling?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Poland.
How many US companies are in the medical lifting sling industry?
BLS counts 3,528 private establishments in NAICS 339113 (Surgical appliance and supplies manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the medical lifting sling industry?
Eurostat counts 63,227 enterprises in NACE class C3250 (Manufacture of medical and dental instruments and supplies).
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