What this market covers
Chemicals that kill or control microbes in paints, water systems, oilfields, metalworking fluids and personal care products. Industrial formulators and water treatment firms buy them.
Typical segments
- Industrial preservatives
- Water treatment biocides
- Paint and coating preservatives
- Oilfield biocides
- Disinfectant actives
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -46% 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 +2% 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 €198.4 million of products under CN code 38089490 (Disinfectants, put up for retail sale or as preparations or articles) from outside the EU in 2025. | 198.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 38089490 were down 46% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€365.9 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -46 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38089490 to countries outside the EU were worth €349.5 million in 2025. | 349.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 38089490 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €799.5 million in 2025. | 799.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 38089490 to the EU in 2025, with €101.0 million, or 51% of extra-EU imports. | 101.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38089490 to the United States were €16.0 million in 2025. | 16.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 38089490 was €5.47 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 5.47 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 38089490 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €116.9 million. | 116.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 596 enterprises in NACE class C2020 (Manufacture of pesticides and other agrochemical products) in 2023. | 596 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2020 had net turnover of €16.55 billion in 2023. | 16.55 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2020 employed 32,065 people across the EU in 2023. | 32,065 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 534 private establishments in NAICS 325320 (Pesticide and other agricultural chemical manufacturing) in 2025. | 534 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325320 employed an average of 13,719 people in US private industry in 2025. | 13,719 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325320 changed by +2% between 2020 (13,454 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +2 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325320 was $108,303 in 2025. | 108,303 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 38089490, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 198370525
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38089490, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 365853809; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 198370525
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38089490, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 349510821
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38089490, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 799511351
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38089490, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 101000781
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38089490, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 15988436
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38089490, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 198370525, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 362733
- 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 38089490, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 116899116
- 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 C2020, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 596
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2020, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 16551
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2020, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 32065
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325320, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325320, annual_avg_estabs 534
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325320, annual_avg_emplvl 13719
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 13454; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 13719
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325320, avg_annual_pay 108303
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Paint and coating makers
- Water treatment firms
- Oil and gas operators
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
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU specialty biocides market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €198.4 million of goods under CN 38089490 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €349.5 million.
Where does the EU import specialty biocides from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Switzerland, United States, China.
What is the average import price of specialty biocides in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €5.47 per kilogram for CN 38089490 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most specialty biocides?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Poland, Netherlands.
How many US companies are in the specialty biocides industry?
BLS counts 534 private establishments in NAICS 325320 (Pesticide and other agricultural chemical manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the specialty biocides industry?
Eurostat counts 596 enterprises in NACE class C2020 (Manufacture of pesticides and other agrochemical products).
Ask about this market
Ask about a figure, its source, a definition or the editions. Answers use only what is published on this page and the rest of the site, and link to the original source.
- Where does the 198.4 figure for the Specialty biocides Market come from?
- How big is the Specialty biocides Market?
- What does the Specialty biocides Market cover?
- Who are the largest suppliers in the Specialty biocides Market?
Answers come from the figures published on this site. Check the linked sources before relying on a number.
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