+49 % change
Extra-EU imports of CN 69091200 were up 49% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€98.4 million), calculated from Eurostat values.
Eurostat179.6 EUR million
EU exports of CN 69091200 to countries outside the EU were worth €179.6 million in 2025.
Eurostat148.0 EUR million
Trade between EU member states in CN 69091200 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €148.0 million in 2025.
EurostatSource: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +49% 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 -5% since 2020.
What this market covers
Strong, hard ceramics such as silicon nitride, alumina and zirconia used for load bearing and wear parts. Engines, bearings, armor and cutting tools use them.
Typical segments
- Alumina
- Zirconia
- Silicon nitride
- Silicon carbide
- Ceramic armor
Who buys
- Industrial machinery makers
- Defense firms
- Auto makers
Largest non-EU suppliers to the EU
| Country | Import value |
|---|---|
| Japan | 47.2 EUR million |
| China | 38.0 EUR million |
| United States from 1995 -> 2000) | 31.9 EUR million |
| Korea, Republic of | 7.9 EUR million |
| Switzerland | 5.7 EUR million |
| United Kingdom | 5.0 EUR million |
Key figures
Each figure links to the page it came from.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €146.8 million of products under CN code 69091200 (Ceramic articles having a hardness equivalent to >= 9 on the Mohs scale, for chemical or) from outside the EU in 2025. | 146.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 69091200 were up 49% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€98.4 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +49 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 69091200 to countries outside the EU were worth €179.6 million in 2025. | 179.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 69091200 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €148.0 million in 2025. | 148.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Japan was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 69091200 to the EU in 2025, with €47.2 million, or 32% of extra-EU imports. | 47.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 69091200 to the United States were €35.1 million in 2025. | 35.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 69091200 was €14.33 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 14.33 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 69091200 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €62.4 million. | 62.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 329 enterprises in NACE class C2344 (Manufacture of other technical ceramic products) in 2023. | 329 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2344 had net turnover of €2.84 billion in 2023. | 2.84 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2344 employed 13,760 people across the EU in 2023. | 13,760 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 797 private establishments in NAICS 327110 (Pottery, ceramics, and plumbing fixture manufacturing) in 2025. | 797 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 327110 employed an average of 12,332 people in US private industry in 2025. | 12,332 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 327110 changed by -5% between 2020 (13,049 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -5 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 327110 was $68,102 in 2025. | 68,102 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| PubMed indexed 5 papers mentioning "structural ceramics" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 5 papers | 2025 | U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed) |
What the full report covers
- 1
Executive summary
The answer on two pages: size, growth and what drives it.
- 2
Market size and outlook
History, the current year and a five-year view with base, low and high cases.
- 3
Segments and regions
Splits by product, buyer and geography across the US, Europe and MEA.
- 4
Company profiles
The main players, how they compete and where they are investing.
- 5
Data and method
Every figure in Excel, with the sources and assumptions behind it.
- 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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- Excel data pack
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU advanced structural ceramics market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €146.8 million of goods under CN 69091200 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €179.6 million.
Where does the EU import advanced structural ceramics from?
Japan was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. The next largest were China, United States from 1995 -> 2000), Korea, Republic of.
What is the average import price of advanced structural ceramics in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €14.33 per kilogram for CN 69091200 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most advanced structural ceramics?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Austria.
How many US companies are in the advanced structural ceramics industry?
BLS counts 797 private establishments in NAICS 327110 (Pottery, ceramics, and plumbing fixture manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the advanced structural ceramics industry?
Eurostat counts 329 enterprises in NACE class C2344 (Manufacture of other technical ceramic products).
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)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 69091200, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 146812246
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 69091200, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 98359903; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 146812246
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 69091200, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 179574121
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 69091200, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 148038444
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 69091200, partner JP, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 47243700
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 69091200, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 35057785
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 69091200, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 146812246, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 102462
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 69091200, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 62441447
- 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 C2344, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 329
- 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 C2344, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 2842
- 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 C2344, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 13760
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327110, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327110, annual_avg_estabs 797
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327110, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327110, annual_avg_emplvl 12332
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327110, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 13049; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 12332
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327110, 2025 (2026-11-04)
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327110, avg_annual_pay 68102
- U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed): PubMed search "structural ceramics"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
esearch count 5
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