United States was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Low alloy steel that forms a stable rust layer and needs no paint, used in bridges, buildings, containers and architecture. Buyers are bridge builders, architects and steel fabricators.
Typical segments
- Plates
- Coils
- Structural sections
- Architectural panels
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 14% 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.
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 €11.0 million of products under CN code 72254090 (Flat-rolled products of alloy steel other than stainless, of a width of >= 600 mm, not) from outside the EU in 2025. | 11.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 72254090 were up 14% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€9.7 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +14 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 72254090 to countries outside the EU were worth €159.7 million in 2025. | 159.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 72254090 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €237.9 million in 2025. | 237.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 72254090 to the EU in 2025, with €10.0 million, or 90% of extra-EU imports. | 10.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 72254090 to the United States were €16.2 million in 2025. | 16.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 72254090 was €1.81 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 1.81 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Sweden was the largest EU exporter of CN 72254090 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €103.8 million. | 103.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 3,019 enterprises in NACE class C2410 (Manufacture of basic iron and steel and of ferro-alloys) in 2023. | 3,019 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2410 had net turnover of €192.96 billion in 2023. | 192.96 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2410 employed 315,126 people across the EU in 2023. | 315,126 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,058 private establishments in NAICS 331110 (Iron and steel mills and ferroalloy manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,058 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 331110 employed an average of 84,011 people in US private industry in 2025. | 84,011 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 331110 changed by +4% between 2020 (80,806 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +4 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 331110 was $118,592 in 2025. | 118,592 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 72254090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 11026724
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 72254090, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 9676775; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 11026724
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 72254090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 159720912
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 72254090, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 237866374
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 72254090, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 9960036
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 72254090, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 16239530
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 72254090, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 11026724, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 61088
- 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 SE, product 72254090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 103823213
- 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 C2410, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 3019
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2410, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 192957
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2410, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 315126
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 331110, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331110, annual_avg_estabs 1058
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331110, annual_avg_emplvl 84011
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 80806; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 84011
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331110, avg_annual_pay 118592
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Bridge builders
- Architects
- Steel fabricators
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 weathering steel market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €11.0 million of goods under CN 72254090 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €159.7 million.
Where does the EU import weathering steel from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United Kingdom, China, Türkiye.
What is the average import price of weathering steel in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €1.81 per kilogram for CN 72254090 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most weathering steel?
Sweden led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Belgium, Finland.
How many US companies are in the weathering steel industry?
BLS counts 1,058 private establishments in NAICS 331110 (Iron and steel mills and ferroalloy manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the weathering steel industry?
Eurostat counts 3,019 enterprises in NACE class C2410 (Manufacture of basic iron and steel and of ferro-alloys).
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