What this market covers
A thick, sticky petroleum product used mainly to bind road surfaces and to waterproof roofs. Buyers are road builders, roofing makers and public works agencies.
Typical segments
- Paving grade bitumen
- Polymer modified bitumen
- Oxidised bitumen
- Cutback bitumen
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +83% 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 +11% 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 €269.2 million of products under CN code 27132000 (Petroleum bitumen) from outside the EU in 2025. | 269.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 27132000 were up 83% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€147.3 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +83 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 27132000 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.60 billion in 2025. | 1.60 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 27132000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €2.33 billion in 2025. | 2.33 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Türkiye was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 27132000 to the EU in 2025, with €216.2 million, or 80% of extra-EU imports. | 216.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 27132000 to the United States were €44.9 million in 2025. | 44.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 27132000 was €0.42 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 0.42 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Greece was the largest EU exporter of CN 27132000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €432.6 million. | 432.6 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 1,051 private establishments in NAICS 324121 (Asphalt paving mixture and block manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,051 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 324121 employed an average of 17,305 people in US private industry in 2025. | 17,305 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 324121 changed by +11% between 2020 (15,524 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +11 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 324121 was $97,378 in 2025. | 97,378 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 27132000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 269247260
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27132000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 147332602; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 269247260
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27132000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1595664376
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27132000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2326666615
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27132000, partner TR, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 216239929
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27132000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 44907650
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27132000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 269247260, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 6392961
- 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 GR, product 27132000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 432648020
- 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 324121, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 324121, annual_avg_estabs 1051
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 324121, annual_avg_emplvl 17305
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 15524; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 17305
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 324121, avg_annual_pay 97378
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Road contractors
- Roofing material makers
- Government highway agencies
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
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- Excel data pack
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU bitumen market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €269.2 million of goods under CN 27132000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.60 billion.
Where does the EU import bitumen from?
Türkiye was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United Kingdom, United States, Iraq.
What is the average import price of bitumen in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €0.42 per kilogram for CN 27132000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most bitumen?
Greece led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Spain, Italy.
How many US companies are in the bitumen industry?
BLS counts 1,051 private establishments in NAICS 324121 (Asphalt paving mixture and block manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the bitumen industry?
Eurostat counts 723 enterprises in NACE class C1920 (Manufacture of refined petroleum products).
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