United Kingdom was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Microcrystalline wax is a soft, flexible petroleum wax used in candles, coatings, cosmetics, adhesives and tyres. Packaging, rubber, personal care and candle makers buy it.
Typical segments
- Cosmetic and pharma grade
- Candle grade
- Hot melt and coatings grade
- Rubber and tyre grade
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 67% 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 €131.2 million of products under CN code 27129039 (Crude paraffin wax, microcrystalline petroleum wax, slack wax, other mineral waxes, and) from outside the EU in 2025. | 131.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 27129039 were up 67% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€78.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +67 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 27129039 to countries outside the EU were worth €40.2 million in 2025. | 40.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 27129039 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €153.6 million in 2025. | 153.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 27129039 to the EU in 2025, with €68.3 million, or 52% of extra-EU imports. | 68.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 27129039 to the United States were €1.9 million in 2025. | 1.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 27129039 was €0.89 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 0.89 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 27129039 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €20.8 million. | 20.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 723 enterprises in NACE class C1920 (Manufacture of refined petroleum products) in 2023. | 723 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1920 had net turnover of €580.52 billion in 2023. | 580.52 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1920 employed 160,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 160,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 160 private establishments in NAICS 324199 (All other petroleum and coal products manufacturing) in 2025. | 160 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 324199 employed an average of 4,703 people in US private industry in 2025. | 4,703 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 324199 changed by -4% between 2020 (4,890 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -4 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 324199 was $99,040 in 2025. | 99,040 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 27129039, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 131218659
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27129039, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 78582283; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 131218659
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27129039, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 40245392
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27129039, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 153647211
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27129039, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 68299923
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27129039, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1875986
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 27129039, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 131218659, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 1471388
- 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 27129039, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 20754809
- 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 C1920, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 723
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1920, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 580516
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1920, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 160000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 324199, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 324199, annual_avg_estabs 160
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 324199, annual_avg_emplvl 4703
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 4890; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 4703
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 324199, avg_annual_pay 99040
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Candle makers
- Packaging firms
- Personal care makers
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
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- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU microcrystalline wax market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €131.2 million of goods under CN 27129039 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €40.2 million.
Where does the EU import microcrystalline wax from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Thailand.
What is the average import price of microcrystalline wax in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €0.89 per kilogram for CN 27129039 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most microcrystalline wax?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Spain.
How many US companies are in the microcrystalline wax industry?
BLS counts 160 private establishments in NAICS 324199 (All other petroleum and coal products manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the microcrystalline wax industry?
Eurostat counts 723 enterprises in NACE class C1920 (Manufacture of refined petroleum products).
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