What this market covers
Microscopes that use a laser and a pinhole to capture sharp optical slices of a sample. Labs use them to image cells, tissue and materials in three dimensions.
Typical segments
- Laser scanning confocal
- Spinning disk confocal
- Multiphoton systems
- Materials science confocal
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +119% 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 €170.2 million of products under CN code 90118000 (Optical microscopes) from outside the EU in 2025. | 170.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 90118000 were up 119% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€77.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +119 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90118000 to countries outside the EU were worth €481.7 million in 2025. | 481.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 90118000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €132.3 million in 2025. | 132.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 90118000 to the EU in 2025, with €56.8 million, or 33% of extra-EU imports. | 56.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 90118000 to the United States were €147.6 million in 2025. | 147.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 90118000 was €74.45 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 74.45 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 90118000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €341.9 million. | 341.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 2,200 enterprises in NACE class C2670 (Manufacture of optical instruments and photographic equipment) in 2023. | 2,200 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2670 had net turnover of €17.92 billion in 2023. | 17.92 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2670 employed 72,530 people across the EU in 2023. | 72,530 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| PubMed indexed 2,638 papers mentioning "confocal microscopy" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 2,638 papers | 2025 | U.S. National Library of Medicine |
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 90118000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 170241679
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90118000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 77814968; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 170241679
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90118000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 481713464
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90118000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 132324965
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90118000, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 56809955
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90118000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 147588606
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 90118000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 170241679, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 22865
- 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 90118000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 341917944
- 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 C2670, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 2200
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2670, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 17917
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2670, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 72530
- Figure 9
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed search "confocal microscopy"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
esearch count 2638
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Universities and research institutes
- Pharmaceutical labs
- Semiconductor and materials labs
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
- Written to order in 5 working days
Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU confocal microscope market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €170.2 million of goods under CN 90118000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €481.7 million.
Where does the EU import confocal microscope from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, Japan, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of confocal microscope in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €74.45 per kilogram for CN 90118000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most confocal microscope?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Sweden.
How many EU companies are in the confocal microscope industry?
Eurostat counts 2,200 enterprises in NACE class C2670 (Manufacture of optical instruments and photographic equipment).
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