United Kingdom was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Cross linked acrylic acid polymers used to thicken, suspend and stabilise gels, creams and liquids. Bought by cosmetic, pharmaceutical and personal care makers.
Typical segments
- Cosmetic grade carbomer
- Pharmaceutical grade carbomer
- Industrial grade carbomer
- Carbomer copolymers
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 15% 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 €936.5 million of products under CN code 39069090 (Acrylic polymers in primary forms) from outside the EU in 2025. | 936.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 39069090 were up 15% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€810.9 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +15 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39069090 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.99 billion in 2025. | 1.99 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 39069090 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €4.16 billion in 2025. | 4.16 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 39069090 to the EU in 2025, with €228.2 million, or 24% of extra-EU imports. | 228.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39069090 to the United States were €246.3 million in 2025. | 246.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 39069090 was €2.19 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.19 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 39069090 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €681.6 million. | 681.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 2,353 enterprises in NACE class C2016 (Manufacture of plastics in primary forms) in 2022. | 2,353 enterprises | 2022 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2016 had net turnover of €110.91 billion in 2023. | 110.91 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2016 employed 142,189 people across the EU in 2023. | 142,189 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 2,332 private establishments in NAICS 325998 (All other miscellaneous chemical product and preparation manufacturing) in 2025. | 2,332 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325998 employed an average of 43,439 people in US private industry in 2025. | 43,439 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325998 changed by +11% between 2020 (39,148 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +11 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325998 was $101,547 in 2025. | 101,547 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 39069090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 936493384
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39069090, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 810929380; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 936493384
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39069090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1989261488
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39069090, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4160828034
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39069090, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 228157363
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39069090, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 246282227
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39069090, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 936493384, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 4277746
- 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 39069090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 681623929
- 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 C2016, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2022, 2353
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2016, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 110914
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2016, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 142189
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325998, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325998, annual_avg_estabs 2332
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325998, annual_avg_emplvl 43439
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 39148; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 43439
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325998, avg_annual_pay 101547
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Cosmetic manufacturers
- Pharmaceutical firms
- Personal care brands
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
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU carbomer market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €936.5 million of goods under CN 39069090 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.99 billion.
Where does the EU import carbomer from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Japan, United States, Korea, Republic of.
What is the average import price of carbomer in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.19 per kilogram for CN 39069090 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most carbomer?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Belgium.
How many US companies are in the carbomer industry?
BLS counts 2,332 private establishments in NAICS 325998 (All other miscellaneous chemical product and preparation manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the carbomer industry?
Eurostat counts 2,353 enterprises in NACE class C2016 (Manufacture of plastics in primary forms).
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