What this market covers
Activated bentonite and similar earths used to remove colour and impurities from edible oils, fats and mineral oils. Buyers are oil refiners, biodiesel makers and lubricant producers.
Typical segments
- Acid activated clay
- Natural bleaching earth
- Edible oil grade
- Mineral oil grade
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +4% 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.
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 €54.0 million of products under CN code 38029000 (Activated kieselguhr and other activated natural mineral products; animal black, whether) from outside the EU in 2025. | 54.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 38029000 were up 4% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€51.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +4 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38029000 to countries outside the EU were worth €104.3 million in 2025. | 104.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 38029000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €274.9 million in 2025. | 274.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 38029000 to the EU in 2025, with €21.6 million, or 40% of extra-EU imports. | 21.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38029000 to the United States were €4.5 million in 2025. | 4.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 38029000 was €0.63 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 0.63 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Greece was the largest EU exporter of CN 38029000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €23.1 million. | 23.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 8,000 enterprises in NACE class B0812 (Operation of gravel and sand pits; mining of clays and kaolin) in 2023. | 8,000 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class B0812 had net turnover of €18.75 billion in 2023. | 18.75 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class B0812 employed 83,941 people across the EU in 2023. | 83,941 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 180 private establishments in NAICS 212323 (Kaolin, clay, and ceramic and refractory minerals mining) in 2025. | 180 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 212323 employed an average of 6,102 people in US private industry in 2025. | 6,102 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 212323 was $88,838 in 2025. | 88,838 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 38029000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 53993891
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38029000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 51770197; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 53993891
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38029000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 104283650
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38029000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 274911735
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38029000, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 21600405
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38029000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4504871
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38029000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 53993891, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 863027
- 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 38029000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 23103459
- 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 B0812, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 8000
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 B0812, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 18749
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 B0812, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 83941
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 212323, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 212323, annual_avg_estabs 180
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 212323, annual_avg_emplvl 6102
- Figure 14
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 212323, avg_annual_pay 88838
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Edible oil refiners
- Biodiesel producers
- Lubricant 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 bleaching clay market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €54.0 million of goods under CN 38029000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €104.3 million.
Where does the EU import bleaching clay from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Türkiye, China, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of bleaching clay in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €0.63 per kilogram for CN 38029000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most bleaching clay?
Greece led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, Italy.
How many US companies are in the bleaching clay industry?
BLS counts 180 private establishments in NAICS 212323 (Kaolin, clay, and ceramic and refractory minerals mining), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the bleaching clay industry?
Eurostat counts 8,000 enterprises in NACE class B0812 (Operation of gravel and sand pits; mining of clays and kaolin).
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