What this market covers
Cell culture media bags are single use sterile bags that hold and move media and buffers in biologics manufacturing. They replace stainless steel tanks in many plants.
Typical segments
- 2D bags
- 3D bags
- Mixing bags
- Custom bag assemblies
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +32% 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 -1% 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 €1.30 billion of products under CN code 39232100 (Sacks and bags, incl. cones, of polymers of ethylene) from outside the EU in 2025. | 1.30 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 39232100 were up 32% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€984.4 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +32 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39232100 to countries outside the EU were worth €781.5 million in 2025. | 781.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 39232100 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €2.64 billion in 2025. | 2.64 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 39232100 to the EU in 2025, with €353.4 million, or 27% of extra-EU imports. | 353.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 39232100 to the United States were €62.3 million in 2025. | 62.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 39232100 was €2.43 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.43 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 39232100 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €263.3 million. | 263.3 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 6,540 private establishments in NAICS 326199 (All other plastics product manufacturing) in 2025. | 6,540 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 326199 employed an average of 287,654 people in US private industry in 2025. | 287,654 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 326199 changed by -1% between 2020 (289,590 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -1 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 326199 was $67,851 in 2025. | 67,851 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 39232100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1303298625
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39232100, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 984397506; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1303298625
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39232100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 781470197
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39232100, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2639738210
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39232100, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 353367006
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39232100, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 62289233
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 39232100, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1303298625, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 5364745
- 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 39232100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 263313541
- 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 326199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326199, annual_avg_estabs 6540
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326199, annual_avg_emplvl 287654
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 289590; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 287654
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 326199, avg_annual_pay 67851
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Biopharma manufacturers
- Contract manufacturers
- Process equipment suppliers
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 cell culture media bags market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €1.30 billion of goods under CN 39232100 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €781.5 million.
Where does the EU import cell culture media bags from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Viet Nam, Türkiye, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of cell culture media bags in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.43 per kilogram for CN 39232100 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cell culture media bags?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Poland, France.
How many US companies are in the cell culture media bags industry?
BLS counts 6,540 private establishments in NAICS 326199 (All other plastics product manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cell culture media bags industry?
Eurostat counts 7,513 enterprises in NACE class C2222 (Manufacture of plastic packing goods).
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