China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Hard aluminium oxide mineral, natural or fused artificial, used in abrasives, refractories and polishing. Grinding wheel makers and steelmakers buy it in grit and lump form.
Typical segments
- Brown fused alumina
- White fused alumina
- Natural corundum
- Refractory grade
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 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.
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 €180.5 million of products under CN code 281810 (Corundum, artificial, whether or not chemically defined) from outside the EU in 2025. | 180.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 281810 were up 11% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€162.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +11 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 281810 to countries outside the EU were worth €56.5 million in 2025. | 56.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 281810 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €294.0 million in 2025. | 294.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 281810 to the EU in 2025, with €99.9 million, or 55% of extra-EU imports. | 99.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 281810 to the United States were €16.4 million in 2025. | 16.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 281810 was €1.10 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 1.10 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 281810 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €27.5 million. | 27.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 700 enterprises in NACE class C2391 (Production of abrasive products) in 2023. | 700 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2391 had net turnover of €4.28 billion in 2023. | 4.28 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2391 employed 21,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 21,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 394 private establishments in NAICS 327910 (Abrasive product manufacturing) in 2025. | 394 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 327910 employed an average of 9,316 people in US private industry in 2025. | 9,316 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 327910 changed by -3% between 2020 (9,630 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -3 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 327910 was $77,336 in 2025. | 77,336 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 281810, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 180545990
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 281810, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 162637821; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 180545990
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 281810, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 56502143
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 281810, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 294043071
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 281810, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 99850329
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 281810, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 16420095
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 281810, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 180545990, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1641649
- 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 281810, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 27540113
- 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 C2391, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 700
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2391, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 4277
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2391, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 21000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327910, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327910, annual_avg_estabs 394
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327910, annual_avg_emplvl 9316
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 9630; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 9316
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327910, avg_annual_pay 77336
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Abrasive makers
- Refractory makers
- Foundries
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 corundum market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €180.5 million of goods under CN 281810 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €56.5 million.
Where does the EU import corundum from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, Ukraine, Brazil.
What is the average import price of corundum in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €1.10 per kilogram for CN 281810 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most corundum?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Italy.
How many US companies are in the corundum industry?
BLS counts 394 private establishments in NAICS 327910 (Abrasive product manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the corundum industry?
Eurostat counts 700 enterprises in NACE class C2391 (Production of abrasive products).
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