What this market covers
A heat resistant ceramic compound with strong thermal conductivity and electrical insulation, sold as powder, coatings and parts. It is used in electronics, lubricants, cosmetics and metal processing.
Typical segments
- Hexagonal powder
- Cubic boron nitride
- Coatings and sprays
- Machined parts and sheets
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +11% 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 +20% 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 €59.9 million of products under CN code 28500020 (Hydrides and nitrides, whether or not chemically defined) from outside the EU in 2025. | 59.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 28500020 were up 11% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€54.2 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +11 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28500020 to countries outside the EU were worth €47.6 million in 2025. | 47.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 28500020 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €54.1 million in 2025. | 54.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 28500020 to the EU in 2025, with €27.4 million, or 46% of extra-EU imports. | 27.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28500020 to the United States were €13.2 million in 2025. | 13.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 28500020 was €8.92 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 8.92 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 28500020 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €31.5 million. | 31.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 904 enterprises in NACE class C2013 (Manufacture of other inorganic basic chemicals) in 2023. | 904 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2013 had net turnover of €33.38 billion in 2023. | 33.38 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2013 employed 64,363 people across the EU in 2023. | 64,363 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 282 private establishments in NAICS 335991 (Carbon and graphite product manufacturing) in 2025. | 282 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 335991 employed an average of 10,006 people in US private industry in 2025. | 10,006 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 335991 changed by +20% between 2020 (8,305 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +20 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 335991 was $87,799 in 2025. | 87,799 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 28500020, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 59877489
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28500020, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 54185526; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 59877489
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28500020, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 47572720
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28500020, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 54106873
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28500020, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 27367354
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28500020, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 13238867
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28500020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 59877489, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 67160
- 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 28500020, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 31493650
- 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 C2013, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 904
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2013, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 33384
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2013, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 64363
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 335991, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335991, annual_avg_estabs 282
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335991, annual_avg_emplvl 10006
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 8305; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 10006
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 335991, avg_annual_pay 87799
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Electronics makers
- Metalworking firms
- Cosmetic ingredient buyers
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 boron nitride market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €59.9 million of goods under CN 28500020 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €47.6 million.
Where does the EU import boron nitride from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, United Kingdom, Japan.
What is the average import price of boron nitride in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €8.92 per kilogram for CN 28500020 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most boron nitride?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Finland, Ireland.
How many US companies are in the boron nitride industry?
BLS counts 282 private establishments in NAICS 335991 (Carbon and graphite product manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the boron nitride industry?
Eurostat counts 904 enterprises in NACE class C2013 (Manufacture of other inorganic basic chemicals).
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