China was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
A rare metal used in aluminium alloys, solid oxide fuel cells and lighting. Buyers are aerospace suppliers, fuel cell makers and specialty alloy producers.
Typical segments
- Scandium oxide
- Aluminium scandium alloys
- Scandium metal
- Scandium compounds
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 88% 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 €1.6 million of products under CN code 28053040 (Scandium, of a purity by weight of >=95%) from outside the EU in 2025. | 1.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 28053040 were up 88% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€840 thousand), calculated from Eurostat values. | +88 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28053040 to countries outside the EU were worth €3 thousand in 2025. | 3 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 28053040 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €7 thousand in 2025. | 7 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| China was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 28053040 to the EU in 2025, with €1.6 million, or 100% of extra-EU imports. | 1.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 28053040 was €6,067.04 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 6,067.04 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| France was the largest EU exporter of CN 28053040 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €3 thousand. | 3 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 506 enterprises in NACE class C2445 (Other non-ferrous metal production) in 2023. | 506 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C2445 had net turnover of €8.57 billion in 2023. | 8.57 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C2445 employed 16,706 people across the EU in 2022. | 16,706 persons employed | 2022 | Eurostat |
| The US had 182 private establishments in NAICS 331410 (Nonferrous metal (except aluminum) smelting and refining) in 2025. | 182 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 331410 employed an average of 7,977 people in US private industry in 2025. | 7,977 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 331410 changed by +1% between 2020 (7,921 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +1 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 331410 was $102,879 in 2025. | 102,879 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 28053040, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1577430
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28053040, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 840318; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 1577430
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28053040, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2521
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28053040, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 7009
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28053040, partner CN, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1571640
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28053040, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1577430, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 3
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter FR, product 28053040, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2521
- Figure 7
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2445, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 506
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2445, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 8568
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2445, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2022, 16706
- Figure 8
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 331410, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 11
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331410, annual_avg_estabs 182
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331410, annual_avg_emplvl 7977
- Figure 13
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 7921; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 7977
- Figure 14
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331410, avg_annual_pay 102879
- Figure 11
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Aerospace suppliers
- Fuel cell makers
- Alloy producers
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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU scandium market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €1.6 million of goods under CN 28053040 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €3 thousand.
Where does the EU import scandium from?
China was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, United Kingdom.
What is the average import price of scandium in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €6,067.04 per kilogram for CN 28053040 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most scandium?
France led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by .
How many US companies are in the scandium industry?
BLS counts 182 private establishments in NAICS 331410 (Nonferrous metal (except aluminum) smelting and refining), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the scandium industry?
Eurostat counts 506 enterprises in NACE class C2445 (Other non-ferrous metal production).
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