Ukraine was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Chemicals used to wash, soften, bleach, stone wash and fix colour on denim garments and fabric. Buyers include denim laundries, mills and garment factories.
Typical segments
- Enzymes
- Softeners
- Bleaching agents
- Resins and fixatives
- Stone wash alternatives
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value fell 2% 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 €903 thousand of products under CN code 38091090 (Finishing agents, dye carriers to accelerate the dyeing or fixing of dyestuffs and other) from outside the EU in 2025. | 903 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 38091090 were down 2% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€918 thousand), calculated from Eurostat values. | -2 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38091090 to countries outside the EU were worth €361 thousand in 2025. | 361 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 38091090 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €10.8 million in 2025. | 10.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Ukraine was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 38091090 to the EU in 2025, with €469 thousand, or 52% of extra-EU imports. | 469 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38091090 to the United States were €4 thousand in 2025. | 4 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 38091090 was €0.69 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 0.69 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 38091090 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €129 thousand. | 129 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 4,162 enterprises in NACE class C2059 (Manufacture of other chemical products n.e.c.) in 2023. | 4,162 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2059 had net turnover of €74.00 billion in 2023. | 74.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2059 employed 151,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 151,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 2,332 private establishments in NAICS 325998 (All other miscellaneous chemical product and preparation manufacturing) in 2025. | 2,332 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325998 employed an average of 43,439 people in US private industry in 2025. | 43,439 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325998 changed by +11% between 2020 (39,148 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +11 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325998 was $101,547 in 2025. | 101,547 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 38091090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 902740
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38091090, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 917908; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 902740
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38091090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 361160
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38091090, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 10766893
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38091090, partner UA, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 468938
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38091090, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3595
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38091090, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 902740, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 13014
- 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 38091090, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 129399
- 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 C2059, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 4162
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2059, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 74000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2059, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 151000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325998, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325998, annual_avg_estabs 2332
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325998, annual_avg_emplvl 43439
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 39148; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 43439
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325998, avg_annual_pay 101547
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Denim laundries
- Textile mills
- Garment manufacturers
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 denim finishing agents market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €903 thousand of goods under CN 38091090 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €361 thousand.
Where does the EU import denim finishing agents from?
Ukraine was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of denim finishing agents in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €0.69 per kilogram for CN 38091090 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most denim finishing agents?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, France.
How many US companies are in the denim finishing agents industry?
BLS counts 2,332 private establishments in NAICS 325998 (All other miscellaneous chemical product and preparation manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the denim finishing agents industry?
Eurostat counts 4,162 enterprises in NACE class C2059 (Manufacture of other chemical products n.e.c.).
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