China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Lightweight cellular cores made of aluminium, aramid paper or plastic that sit between skins in sandwich panels. Buyers are aerospace, rail, marine and construction panel makers.
Typical segments
- Aluminium honeycomb
- Aramid honeycomb
- Thermoplastic honeycomb
- Paper honeycomb
- Composite sandwich panels
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 74% 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 €2.10 billion of products under CN code 76169990 (Articles of aluminium, uncast, n.e.s.) from outside the EU in 2025. | 2.10 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 76169990 were up 74% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€1.21 billion), calculated from Eurostat values. | +74 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 76169990 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.84 billion in 2025. | 1.84 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 76169990 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €3.14 billion in 2025. | 3.14 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 76169990 to the EU in 2025, with €1.07 billion, or 51% of extra-EU imports. | 1.07 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 76169990 to the United States were €303.6 million in 2025. | 303.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 76169990 was €11.42 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 11.42 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 76169990 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €584.5 million. | 584.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 1,600 enterprises in NACE class C3030 (Manufacture of air and spacecraft and related machinery) in 2023. | 1,600 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C3030 had net turnover of €170.70 billion in 2023. | 170.70 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C3030 employed 386,378 people across the EU in 2023. | 386,378 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,922 private establishments in NAICS 336413 (Other aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,922 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 336413 employed an average of 103,661 people in US private industry in 2025. | 103,661 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 336413 changed by -3% between 2020 (106,812 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -3 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 336413 was $98,002 in 2025. | 98,002 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 76169990, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2097758482
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 76169990, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1207691165; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 2097758482
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 76169990, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1835272560
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 76169990, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3143669783
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 76169990, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1072070331
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 76169990, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 303622101
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 76169990, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2097758482, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1836638
- 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 76169990, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 584498912
- 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 C3030, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 1600
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3030, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 170701
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C3030, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 386378
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 336413, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 336413, annual_avg_estabs 1922
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 336413, annual_avg_emplvl 103661
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 106812; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 103661
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 336413, avg_annual_pay 98002
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Aerospace manufacturers
- Rail and marine builders
- Panel fabricators
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 honeycomb core materials market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €2.10 billion of goods under CN 76169990 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.84 billion.
Where does the EU import honeycomb core materials from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, Switzerland, Türkiye.
What is the average import price of honeycomb core materials in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €11.42 per kilogram for CN 76169990 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most honeycomb core materials?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by France, Italy.
How many US companies are in the honeycomb core materials industry?
BLS counts 1,922 private establishments in NAICS 336413 (Other aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the honeycomb core materials industry?
Eurostat counts 1,600 enterprises in NACE class C3030 (Manufacture of air and spacecraft and related machinery).
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