What this market covers
Treated sewage sludge that is dried or composted and used as fertiliser, fuel or soil improver. Water utilities supply it and farms, landfills and energy plants take it.
Typical segments
- Land applied biosolids
- Dried biosolid pellets
- Composted biosolids
- Biosolid energy products
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved -46% 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 +15% 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 €91 thousand of products under CN code 38252000 (Sewage sludge) from outside the EU in 2025. | 91 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 38252000 were down 46% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€168 thousand), calculated from Eurostat values. | -46 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38252000 to countries outside the EU were worth €156 thousand in 2025. | 156 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 38252000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €12.1 million in 2025. | 12.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 38252000 to the EU in 2025, with €29 thousand, or 32% of extra-EU imports. | 29 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38252000 to the United States were €0 thousand in 2025. | 0 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Belgium was the largest EU exporter of CN 38252000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €67 thousand. | 67 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 12,693 enterprises in NACE class E3700 (Sewerage) in 2023. | 12,693 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class E3700 had net turnover of €27.10 billion in 2023. | 27.10 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class E3700 employed 153,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 153,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 756 private establishments in NAICS 221320 (Sewage treatment facilities) in 2025. | 756 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 221320 employed an average of 7,394 people in US private industry in 2025. | 7,394 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 221320 changed by +15% between 2020 (6,432 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +15 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 221320 was $78,444 in 2025. | 78,444 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 38252000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 90915
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38252000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 168467; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 90915
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38252000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 156256
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38252000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 12058574
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38252000, partner CH, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 28938
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38252000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 101
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter BE, product 38252000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 67082
- Figure 7
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 E3700, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 12693
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 E3700, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 27100
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 E3700, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 153000
- Figure 8
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 221320, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 221320, annual_avg_estabs 756
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 221320, annual_avg_emplvl 7394
- Figure 13
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 6432; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 7394
- Figure 14
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 221320, avg_annual_pay 78444
- Figure 11
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Water utilities
- Farms
- Waste to energy plants
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 biosolids market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €91 thousand of goods under CN 38252000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €156 thousand.
Where does the EU import biosolids from?
Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, China, United Kingdom.
Which EU countries export the most biosolids?
Belgium led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Ireland, Netherlands.
How many US companies are in the biosolids industry?
BLS counts 756 private establishments in NAICS 221320 (Sewage treatment facilities), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the biosolids industry?
Eurostat counts 12,693 enterprises in NACE class E3700 (Sewerage).
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