What this market covers
Lubricants based on plant oils or synthetic esters that break down more easily than mineral oils. Buyers are farm, forestry, marine and industrial users.
Typical segments
- Hydraulic fluids
- Engine oils
- Metalworking fluids
- Greases
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +27% 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 +1% 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 €275.2 million of products under CN code 34039900 (Lubricant preparations, incl. cutting-oil preparations, bolt or nut release preparations,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 275.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 34039900 were up 27% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€216.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +27 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 34039900 to countries outside the EU were worth €941.9 million in 2025. | 941.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 34039900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.14 billion in 2025. | 1.14 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 34039900 to the EU in 2025, with €143.1 million, or 52% of extra-EU imports. | 143.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 34039900 to the United States were €85.0 million in 2025. | 85.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 34039900 was €8.19 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 8.19 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 34039900 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €430.5 million. | 430.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 723 enterprises in NACE class C1920 (Manufacture of refined petroleum products) in 2023. | 723 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1920 had net turnover of €580.52 billion in 2023. | 580.52 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1920 employed 160,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 160,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 433 private establishments in NAICS 324191 (Petroleum lubricating oil and grease manufacturing) in 2025. | 433 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 324191 employed an average of 10,972 people in US private industry in 2025. | 10,972 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 324191 changed by +1% between 2020 (10,906 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +1 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 324191 was $98,088 in 2025. | 98,088 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 34039900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 275186996
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34039900, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 216221446; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 275186996
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34039900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 941935656
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34039900, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1139929019
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34039900, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 143089078
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34039900, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 85019861
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 34039900, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 275186996, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 336011
- 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 DE, product 34039900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 430485099
- 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 C1920, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 723
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1920, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 580516
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1920, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 160000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 324191, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 324191, annual_avg_estabs 433
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 324191, annual_avg_emplvl 10972
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 10906; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 10972
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 324191, avg_annual_pay 98088
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Industrial plants
- Agriculture and forestry firms
- Marine operators
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
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU bio lubricant market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €275.2 million of goods under CN 34039900 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €941.9 million.
Where does the EU import bio lubricant from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Switzerland, United Kingdom, Japan.
What is the average import price of bio lubricant in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €8.19 per kilogram for CN 34039900 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most bio lubricant?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Belgium, France.
How many US companies are in the bio lubricant industry?
BLS counts 433 private establishments in NAICS 324191 (Petroleum lubricating oil and grease manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the bio lubricant industry?
Eurostat counts 723 enterprises in NACE class C1920 (Manufacture of refined petroleum products).
Free sample
Get a free sample of this report
We send the table of contents, two sample chapters and the method note, usually within one working day. You owe us nothing for asking.
- Full table of contents
- Two sample chapters
- Method note and data outline