What this market covers
Hollow plastic parts and containers formed by blowing air into heated plastic inside a mould. Buyers are packaging users, automakers and toy and household goods brands.
Typical segments
- Bottles and jars
- Industrial drums
- Automotive tanks and ducts
- Toys and household goods
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +14% 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 +4% 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 €159.6 million of products under CN code 39233090 (Carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles for the conveyance or packaging of goods,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 159.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 39233090 were up 14% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€140.5 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +14 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39233090 to countries outside the EU were worth €185.9 million in 2025. | 185.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 39233090 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €748.2 million in 2025. | 748.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Norway was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 39233090 to the EU in 2025, with €33.3 million, or 21% of extra-EU imports. | 33.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39233090 to the United States were €20.6 million in 2025. | 20.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 39233090 was €6.27 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 6.27 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 39233090 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €49.0 million. | 49.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 7,513 enterprises in NACE class C2222 (Manufacture of plastic packing goods) in 2023. | 7,513 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2222 had net turnover of €69.00 billion in 2023. | 69.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2222 employed 272,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 272,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 593 private establishments in NAICS 326160 (Plastics bottle manufacturing) in 2025. | 593 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 326160 employed an average of 35,863 people in US private industry in 2025. | 35,863 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 326160 changed by +4% between 2020 (34,443 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +4 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 326160 was $72,880 in 2025. | 72,880 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 39233090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 159593204
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39233090, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 140500193; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 159593204
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39233090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 185873125
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39233090, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 748187114
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39233090, partner NO, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 33265635
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39233090, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 20606689
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39233090, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 159593204, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 254502
- 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 39233090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 49017941
- 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 C2222, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 7513
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2222, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 69000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2222, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 272000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 326160, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326160, annual_avg_estabs 593
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326160, annual_avg_emplvl 35863
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 34443; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 35863
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326160, avg_annual_pay 72880
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Packaged goods brands
- Automotive suppliers
- Industrial packaging users
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 blow molded plastic products market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €159.6 million of goods under CN 39233090 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €185.9 million.
Where does the EU import blow molded plastic products from?
Norway was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United Kingdom, United States, China.
What is the average import price of blow molded plastic products in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €6.27 per kilogram for CN 39233090 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most blow molded plastic products?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, France.
How many US companies are in the blow molded plastic products industry?
BLS counts 593 private establishments in NAICS 326160 (Plastics bottle manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the blow molded plastic products industry?
Eurostat counts 7,513 enterprises in NACE class C2222 (Manufacture of plastic packing goods).
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