China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Double walled insulated vessels that store liquid nitrogen, oxygen, argon, hydrogen and LNG. They sit at hospitals, factories and fuelling sites or travel on trucks and ships.
Typical segments
- Stationary bulk tanks
- Transport trailers
- ISO tank containers
- Small dewars
- LNG vehicle tanks
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 65% 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 €305.5 million of products under CN code 731100 (Containers of iron or steel, for compressed or liquefied gas) from outside the EU in 2025. | 305.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 731100 were up 65% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€184.7 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +65 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 731100 to countries outside the EU were worth €462.0 million in 2025. | 462.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 731100 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €592.0 million in 2025. | 592.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 731100 to the EU in 2025, with €121.6 million, or 40% of extra-EU imports. | 121.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 731100 to the United States were €83.2 million in 2025. | 83.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 731100 was €2.63 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.63 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 731100 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €95.3 million. | 95.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 3,000 enterprises in NACE class C2529 (Manufacture of other tanks, reservoirs and containers of metal) in 2021. | 3,000 enterprises | 2021 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2529 had net turnover of €11.28 billion in 2022. | 11.28 EUR billion | 2022 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2529 employed 65,398 people across the EU in 2022. | 65,398 persons employed | 2022 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,014 private establishments in NAICS 332420 (Metal tank (heavy gauge) manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,014 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 332420 employed an average of 37,771 people in US private industry in 2025. | 37,771 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 332420 changed by +8% between 2020 (34,961 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +8 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 332420 was $80,913 in 2025. | 80,913 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 731100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 305488649
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 731100, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 184681440; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 305488649
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 731100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 461981333
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 731100, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 591979531
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 731100, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 121576894
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 731100, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 83240387
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 731100, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 305488649, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1159974
- 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 731100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 95284206
- 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 C2529, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2021, 3000
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2529, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2022, 11285
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2529, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2022, 65398
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 332420, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 332420, annual_avg_estabs 1014
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 332420, annual_avg_emplvl 37771
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 34961; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 37771
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 332420, avg_annual_pay 80913
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Industrial gas distributors
- Hospitals
- LNG fuel 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
- 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 cryogenic tank market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €305.5 million of goods under CN 731100 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €462.0 million.
Where does the EU import cryogenic tank from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Türkiye, United States, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of cryogenic tank in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.63 per kilogram for CN 731100 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cryogenic tank?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Portugal.
How many US companies are in the cryogenic tank industry?
BLS counts 1,014 private establishments in NAICS 332420 (Metal tank (heavy gauge) manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cryogenic tank industry?
Eurostat counts 3,000 enterprises in NACE class C2529 (Manufacture of other tanks, reservoirs and containers of metal).
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