United States was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Chemical hair treatments that curl or straighten hair, used at home and in salons. Buyers are salons, beauty retailers and consumers.
Typical segments
- Perm solutions
- Hair relaxers
- Keratin straightening
- Neutralisers
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 25% 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 €12.2 million of products under CN code 33052000 (Preparations for permanent waving or straightening) from outside the EU in 2025. | 12.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 33052000 were up 25% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€9.7 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +25 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 33052000 to countries outside the EU were worth €12.7 million in 2025. | 12.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 33052000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €26.2 million in 2025. | 26.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 33052000 to the EU in 2025, with €3.4 million, or 28% of extra-EU imports. | 3.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 33052000 to the United States were €1.0 million in 2025. | 1.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 33052000 was €9.35 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 9.35 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 33052000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €4.2 million. | 4.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 8,000 enterprises in NACE class C2042 (Manufacture of perfumes and toilet preparations) in 2023. | 8,000 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2042 had net turnover of €66.50 billion in 2022. | 66.50 EUR billion | 2022 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2042 employed 190,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 190,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,857 private establishments in NAICS 325620 (Toilet preparation manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,857 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 325620 employed an average of 54,384 people in US private industry in 2025. | 54,384 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 325620 changed by -1% between 2020 (55,029 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -1 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 325620 was $81,072 in 2025. | 81,072 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 33052000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 12168560
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 33052000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 9743766; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 12168560
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 33052000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 12687281
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 33052000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 26171561
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 33052000, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 3359393
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 33052000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1033765
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 33052000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 12168560, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 13015
- 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 33052000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4195316
- 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 C2042, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 8000
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2042, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2022, 66500
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2042, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 190000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 325620, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325620, annual_avg_estabs 1857
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325620, annual_avg_emplvl 54384
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 55029; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 54384
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 325620, avg_annual_pay 81072
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Salons
- Beauty retailers
- Consumers
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 perms and relaxants market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €12.2 million of goods under CN 33052000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €12.7 million.
Where does the EU import perms and relaxants from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Brazil, Peru, South Africa.
What is the average import price of perms and relaxants in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €9.35 per kilogram for CN 33052000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most perms and relaxants?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Spain.
How many US companies are in the perms and relaxants industry?
BLS counts 1,857 private establishments in NAICS 325620 (Toilet preparation manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the perms and relaxants industry?
Eurostat counts 8,000 enterprises in NACE class C2042 (Manufacture of perfumes and toilet preparations).
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