China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Circuits, sensors and displays built on bendable plastic or thin films. Buyers are wearable, medical, automotive and consumer electronics makers.
Typical segments
- Flexible sensors
- Flexible circuits
- Printed electronics
- Wearable patches
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 20% 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 €5.04 billion of products under CN code 853400 (Printed circuits) from outside the EU in 2025. | 5.04 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 853400 were up 20% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€4.19 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +20 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 853400 to countries outside the EU were worth €932.2 million in 2025. | 932.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 853400 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €2.49 billion in 2025. | 2.49 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 853400 to the EU in 2025, with €3.45 billion, or 69% of extra-EU imports. | 3.45 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 853400 to the United States were €142.5 million in 2025. | 142.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 853400 was €51.94 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 51.94 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 853400 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €255.4 million. | 255.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 2,900 enterprises in NACE class C2612 (Manufacture of loaded electronic boards) in 2023. | 2,900 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2612 had net turnover of €18.37 billion in 2023. | 18.37 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2612 employed 77,099 people across the EU in 2023. | 77,099 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,233 private establishments in NAICS 334418 (Printed circuit assembly (electronic assembly) manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,233 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 334418 employed an average of 58,672 people in US private industry in 2025. | 58,672 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 334418 changed by +1% between 2020 (57,929 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +1 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 334418 was $80,344 in 2025. | 80,344 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 853400, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5036823334
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 853400, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 4194501914; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 5036823334
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 853400, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 932240358
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 853400, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2486141815
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 853400, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3450432908
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 853400, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 142483396
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 853400, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5036823334, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 969673
- 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 853400, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 255404802
- 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 C2612, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 2900
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2612, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 18369
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2612, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 77099
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 334418, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334418, annual_avg_estabs 1233
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334418, annual_avg_emplvl 58672
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 57929; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 58672
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 334418, avg_annual_pay 80344
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Consumer electronics makers
- Medical device makers
- Automotive 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 flexible electronics market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €5.04 billion of goods under CN 853400 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €932.2 million.
Where does the EU import flexible electronics from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, Republic of.
What is the average import price of flexible electronics in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €51.94 per kilogram for CN 853400 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most flexible electronics?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Spain, France.
How many US companies are in the flexible electronics industry?
BLS counts 1,233 private establishments in NAICS 334418 (Printed circuit assembly (electronic assembly) manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the flexible electronics industry?
Eurostat counts 2,900 enterprises in NACE class C2612 (Manufacture of loaded electronic boards).
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