China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Gloves, aprons, face shields and boots that protect workers from extreme cold and liquid splashes. Laboratories, gas plants and food freezing sites buy them.
Typical segments
- Cryogenic gloves
- Face shields
- Aprons and sleeves
- Cold safe footwear
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 23% 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 €217.6 million of products under CN code 62160000 (Gloves, mittens and mitts, of all types of textile materials) from outside the EU in 2025. | 217.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 62160000 were up 23% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€176.5 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +23 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 62160000 to countries outside the EU were worth €42.6 million in 2025. | 42.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 62160000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €204.4 million in 2025. | 204.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 62160000 to the EU in 2025, with €123.5 million, or 57% of extra-EU imports. | 123.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 62160000 to the United States were €2.6 million in 2025. | 2.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 62160000 was €25.76 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 25.76 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 62160000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €9.5 million. | 9.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 31,200 enterprises in NACE class C1419 (Manufacture of other wearing apparel and accessories) in 2023. | 31,200 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1419 had net turnover of €9.90 billion in 2023. | 9.90 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1419 employed 103,548 people across the EU in 2023. | 103,548 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,476 private establishments in NAICS 315990 (Apparel accessories and other apparel manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,476 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 315990 employed an average of 12,265 people in US private industry in 2025. | 12,265 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 315990 changed by +17% between 2020 (10,514 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +17 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 315990 was $55,050 in 2025. | 55,050 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 62160000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 217555557
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 62160000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 176492067; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 217555557
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 62160000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 42568443
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 62160000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 204390429
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 62160000, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 123450779
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 62160000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2629376
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 62160000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 217555557, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 84447
- 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 62160000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 9519801
- 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 C1419, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 31200
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1419, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 9898
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1419, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 103548
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 315990, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 315990, annual_avg_estabs 1476
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 315990, annual_avg_emplvl 12265
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 10514; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 12265
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 315990, avg_annual_pay 55050
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Industrial gas plants
- Laboratories
- Food freezing facilities
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
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU cryogenic protective equipment market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €217.6 million of goods under CN 62160000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €42.6 million.
Where does the EU import cryogenic protective equipment from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Viet Nam, Indonesia, Pakistan.
What is the average import price of cryogenic protective equipment in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €25.76 per kilogram for CN 62160000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cryogenic protective equipment?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, France.
How many US companies are in the cryogenic protective equipment industry?
BLS counts 1,476 private establishments in NAICS 315990 (Apparel accessories and other apparel manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cryogenic protective equipment industry?
Eurostat counts 31,200 enterprises in NACE class C1419 (Manufacture of other wearing apparel and accessories).
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