What this market covers
Linear alpha olefins are chemical building blocks made from ethylene. They go into polyethylene comonomers, synthetic lubricants, detergents and plasticizers.
Typical segments
- Butene-1
- Hexene-1
- Octene-1
- Decene and higher olefins
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +35% 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 €585.5 million of products under CN code 29012900 (Hydrocarbons, acyclic, unsaturated) from outside the EU in 2025. | 585.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 29012900 were up 35% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€433.7 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +35 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 29012900 to countries outside the EU were worth €99.9 million in 2025. | 99.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 29012900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €321.3 million in 2025. | 321.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 29012900 to the EU in 2025, with €259.6 million, or 44% of extra-EU imports. | 259.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 29012900 to the United States were €4.2 million in 2025. | 4.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 29012900 was €1.31 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 1.31 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Belgium was the largest EU exporter of CN 29012900 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €38.4 million. | 38.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 1,920 enterprises in NACE class C2014 (Manufacture of other organic basic chemicals) in 2023. | 1,920 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2014 employed 210,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 210,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 227 private establishments in NAICS 325110 (Petrochemical manufacturing) in 2025. | 227 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325110 employed an average of 26,449 people in US private industry in 2025. | 26,449 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325110 changed by +2% between 2020 (25,986 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +2 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325110 was $159,270 in 2025. | 159,270 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| PubMed indexed 32 papers mentioning "alpha olefins" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 32 papers | 2025 | U.S. National Library of Medicine |
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 29012900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 585507153
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29012900, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 433663075; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 585507153
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29012900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 99894900
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29012900, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 321253648
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29012900, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 259617991
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29012900, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4180608
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 29012900, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 585507153, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 4453734
- 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 BE, product 29012900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 38377958
- 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 C2014, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 1920
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2014, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 210000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325110, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325110, annual_avg_estabs 227
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325110, annual_avg_emplvl 26449
- Figure 13
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 25986; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 26449
- Figure 14
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325110, avg_annual_pay 159270
- Figure 11
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed search "alpha olefins"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 15
esearch count 32
- Figure 15
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Polyethylene producers
- Lubricant makers
- Detergent and surfactant makers
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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU alpha olefins market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €585.5 million of goods under CN 29012900 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €99.9 million.
Where does the EU import alpha olefins from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Qatar, South Africa, Canada.
What is the average import price of alpha olefins in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €1.31 per kilogram for CN 29012900 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most alpha olefins?
Belgium led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Spain.
How many US companies are in the alpha olefins industry?
BLS counts 227 private establishments in NAICS 325110 (Petrochemical manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the alpha olefins industry?
Eurostat counts 1,920 enterprises in NACE class C2014 (Manufacture of other organic basic chemicals).
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