China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Small screw cap tubes made to hold cells, serum and other samples frozen in liquid nitrogen or ultra low freezers. Biobanks, research labs and cell therapy makers use them.
Typical segments
- Internal thread vials
- External thread vials
- Pre labelled vials
- Barcoded vials
- Glass vials
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 39% 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 €1.10 billion of products under CN code 701090 (Carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, phials and other containers, of glass, of a kind) from outside the EU in 2025. | 1.10 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 701090 were up 39% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€787.7 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +39 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 701090 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.47 billion in 2025. | 1.47 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 701090 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €5.46 billion in 2025. | 5.46 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 701090 to the EU in 2025, with €326.9 million, or 30% of extra-EU imports. | 326.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 701090 to the United States were €268.8 million in 2025. | 268.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 701090 was €0.92 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 0.92 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 701090 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €293.5 million. | 293.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 3,200 enterprises in NACE class C2313 (Manufacture of hollow glass) in 2023. | 3,200 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2313 had net turnover of €22.44 billion in 2023. | 22.44 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2313 employed 90,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 90,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 152 private establishments in NAICS 327213 (Glass container manufacturing) in 2025. | 152 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 327213 employed an average of 10,237 people in US private industry in 2025. | 10,237 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 327213 changed by -18% between 2020 (12,440 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -18 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 327213 was $96,225 in 2025. | 96,225 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| PubMed indexed 1,566 papers mentioning "cryopreservation" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 1,566 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 701090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1098204912
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 701090, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 787734196; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1098204912
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 701090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1471586833
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 701090, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5459094016
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 701090, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 326895933
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 701090, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 268823971
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 701090, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1098204912, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 11880604
- 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 701090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 293489900
- 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 C2313, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 3200
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2313, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 22436
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2313, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 90000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 327213, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327213, annual_avg_estabs 152
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327213, annual_avg_emplvl 10237
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 12440; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 10237
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 327213, avg_annual_pay 96225
- Figure 12
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed search "cryopreservation"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 16
esearch count 1566
- Figure 16
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Biobanks
- Cell therapy manufacturers
- Research laboratories
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 cryogenic vial market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €1.10 billion of goods under CN 701090 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.47 billion.
Where does the EU import cryogenic vial from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United Kingdom, Ukraine, Türkiye.
What is the average import price of cryogenic vial in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €0.92 per kilogram for CN 701090 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most cryogenic vial?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Italy.
How many US companies are in the cryogenic vial industry?
BLS counts 152 private establishments in NAICS 327213 (Glass container manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the cryogenic vial industry?
Eurostat counts 3,200 enterprises in NACE class C2313 (Manufacture of hollow glass).
Free sample
Get a free sample of this report
We send the table of contents, two sample chapters and the method note, usually within one working day. You owe us nothing for asking.
- Full table of contents
- Two sample chapters
- Method note and data outline