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Industrial & TradeEuropean UnionUpdated 4 Nov 2026

Adhesives Market 2026: trade data and key figures

The EU imported €239.5 million of adhesives and related goods (CN 35061000) from outside the EU in 2025. That was 39% more than in 2020. China was the largest outside supplier.

Edited by the Stratum Market Research editorial team. Updated 4 Nov 2026.

Headline figure

239.5EUR million

EU imports from outside the EU, 2025

Extra-EU imports of CN 35061000, EUR million20202025 Eurostat, 4 Nov 2026

+39 % change

Extra-EU imports of CN 35061000 were up 39% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€172.3 million), calculated from Eurostat values.

Eurostat

580.1 EUR million

EU exports of CN 35061000 to countries outside the EU were worth €580.1 million in 2025.

Eurostat

913.7 EUR million

Trade between EU member states in CN 35061000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €913.7 million in 2025.

Eurostat
ChartExtra-EU imports of CN 35061000, EUR million
Extra-EU imports of CN 35061000, EUR million062.51251882502020: 172 EUR million17220202021: 205 EUR million20212022: 231 EUR million20222023: 231 EUR million20232024: 243 EUR million20242025: 240 EUR million2402025

Source: Eurostat

Why this market is moving now

  • Extra-EU import value moved +39% 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 +9% since 2020.

What this market covers

Substances that bond materials together, sold as liquids, pastes, films and hot melts. They are used in packaging, construction, vehicles and electronics.

Typical segments

  • Water based
  • Hot melt
  • Solvent based
  • Reactive
  • Pressure sensitive

Who buys

  • Packaging makers
  • Construction firms
  • Auto and electronics makers

Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU

CountryImport value
China63.6 EUR million
United States from 1995 -> 2000)54.8 EUR million
United Kingdom42.5 EUR million
Switzerland22.7 EUR million
Korea, Republic of18.7 EUR million
Türkiye8.2 EUR million

Key figures

Each figure links to the page it came from.

FigureValueYearSource
The EU imported €239.5 million of products under CN code 35061000 (Products suitable for use as glues or adhesives put up for retail sale as glues or) from outside the EU in 2025.239.5 EUR million2025Eurostat
Extra-EU imports of CN 35061000 were up 39% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€172.3 million), calculated from Eurostat values.+39 % change2025Eurostat
EU exports of CN 35061000 to countries outside the EU were worth €580.1 million in 2025.580.1 EUR million2025Eurostat
Trade between EU member states in CN 35061000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €913.7 million in 2025.913.7 EUR million2025Eurostat
China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 35061000 to the EU in 2025, with €63.6 million, or 27% of extra-EU imports.63.6 EUR million2025Eurostat
EU exports of CN 35061000 to the United States were €46.4 million in 2025.46.4 EUR million2025Eurostat
The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 35061000 was €8.54 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight.8.54 EUR per kg2025Eurostat
Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 35061000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €341.7 million.341.7 EUR million2025Eurostat
The EU had 480 enterprises in NACE class C2052 (Manufacture of glues) in 2023.480 enterprises2023Eurostat
EU enterprises in NACE class C2052 had net turnover of €5.89 billion in 2023.5.89 EUR billion2023Eurostat
NACE class C2052 employed 15,518 people across the EU in 2023.15,518 persons employed2023Eurostat
The US had 779 private establishments in NAICS 325520 (Adhesive manufacturing) in 2025.779 establishments2025U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
NAICS 325520 employed an average of 24,219 people in US private industry in 2025.24,219 jobs2025U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
US employment in NAICS 325520 changed by +9% between 2020 (22,304 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures.+9 % change2025U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Average annual pay in US NAICS 325520 was $94,437 in 2025.94,437 USD per year2025U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What the full report covers

Illustration of a report page with its five main parts numbered12345
  1. 1

    Executive summary

    The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.

  2. 2

    Market size and outlook

    History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.

  3. 3

    Segments and regions

    Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.

  4. 4

    Company profiles

    The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.

  5. 5

    Data and method

    Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.

  1. 01Executive summary
    The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it
  2. 02Market definition and scope
    What is in and out of the European Union market
  3. 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
    Historical series and growth rates
  4. 04Outlook to 2031
    Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions
  5. 05Rules, policy and deadlines
    Regulation and programmes that change demand
  6. 06Drivers and barriers
    What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment
  7. 07Prices, costs and margins
    Unit economics where public data allows
  8. 08Competitive landscape
    8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves
  9. 09Opportunities and risks
    For new entrants, suppliers and investors
  10. 10Method and sources
    Every assumption and source, listed

Included with the full report

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  • Excel data pack
  • Ready-to-use charts
  • Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions

How big is the EU adhesives market?

There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €239.5 million of goods under CN 35061000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €580.1 million.

Where does the EU import adhesives from?

China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were United States from 1995 -> 2000), United Kingdom, Switzerland.

What is the average import price of adhesives in the EU?

Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €8.54 per kilogram for CN 35061000 in 2025.

Which EU countries export the most adhesives?

Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Poland, Netherlands.

How many US companies are in the adhesives industry?

BLS counts 779 private establishments in NAICS 325520 (Adhesive manufacturing), the closest official industry.

How many EU companies are in the adhesives industry?

Eurostat counts 480 enterprises in NACE class C2052 (Manufacture of glues).

Sources and method

The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.

  1. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35061000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 239512680
  2. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35061000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 172322404; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 239512680
  3. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35061000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 580081910
  4. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35061000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 913713372
  5. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35061000, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 63621407
  6. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35061000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 46415937
  7. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 35061000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 239512680, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 280399
  8. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)DS-045409, reporter DE, product 35061000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 341720493
  9. 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 C2052, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 480
  10. 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 C2052, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 5891
  11. 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 C2052, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 15518
  12. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325520, 2025 (2026-11-04)QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325520, annual_avg_estabs 779
  13. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325520, 2025 (2026-11-04)QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325520, annual_avg_emplvl 24219
  14. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325520, 2025 (2026-11-04)QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 22304; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 24219
  15. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325520, 2025 (2026-11-04)QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325520, avg_annual_pay 94437

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