What this market covers
Ballistic composites are layered fibre materials, such as aramid and polyethylene, that stop bullets and fragments. Armour makers use them in body armour, vehicle panels and helmets.
Typical segments
- Aramid composites
- Polyethylene composites
- Ceramic composite plates
- Hybrid armour panels
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +139% 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 -3% 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 €205.2 million of products under CN code 54021100 (High-tenacity filament yarn of aramids) from outside the EU in 2025. | 205.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 54021100 were up 139% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€85.7 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +139 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 54021100 to countries outside the EU were worth €200.9 million in 2025. | 200.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 54021100 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €437.3 million in 2025. | 437.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 54021100 to the EU in 2025, with €89.7 million, or 44% of extra-EU imports. | 89.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 54021100 to the United States were €53.8 million in 2025. | 53.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 54021100 was €21.05 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 21.05 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Netherlands was the largest EU exporter of CN 54021100 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €122.3 million. | 122.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 309 enterprises in NACE class C2060 (Manufacture of man-made fibres) in 2022. | 309 enterprises | 2022 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2060 had net turnover of €8.45 billion in 2023. | 8.45 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2060 employed 24,655 people across the EU in 2023. | 24,655 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 234 private establishments in NAICS 325220 (Artificial and synthetic fibers and filaments manufacturing) in 2025. | 234 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325220 employed an average of 22,835 people in US private industry in 2025. | 22,835 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325220 changed by -3% between 2020 (23,573 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -3 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325220 was $107,058 in 2025. | 107,058 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 54021100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 205242638
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 54021100, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 85698407; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 205242638
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 54021100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 200947478
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 54021100, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 437263692
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 54021100, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 89728353
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 54021100, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 53775731
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 54021100, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 205242638, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 97512
- 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 NL, product 54021100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 122268667
- 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 C2060, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2022, 309
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2060, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 8453
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2060, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 24655
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325220, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325220, annual_avg_estabs 234
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325220, annual_avg_emplvl 22835
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 23573; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 22835
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325220, avg_annual_pay 107058
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Armour manufacturers
- Defence ministries
- Vehicle armour suppliers
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 ballistic composites market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €205.2 million of goods under CN 54021100 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €200.9 million.
Where does the EU import ballistic composites from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, Korea, Republic of, Japan.
What is the average import price of ballistic composites in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €21.05 per kilogram for CN 54021100 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most ballistic composites?
Netherlands led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Belgium, Poland.
How many US companies are in the ballistic composites industry?
BLS counts 234 private establishments in NAICS 325220 (Artificial and synthetic fibers and filaments manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the ballistic composites industry?
Eurostat counts 309 enterprises in NACE class C2060 (Manufacture of man-made fibres).
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