What this market covers
Solder materials are metal alloys and pastes that join electronic and metal parts when melted. Buyers are electronics assemblers, automotive suppliers and solar module makers.
Typical segments
- Solder paste
- Solder wire
- Solder bar
- Flux and preforms
- Lead free alloys
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value moved +85% 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.
- US employment in the core industry shifted +6% since 2020.
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 €69.8 million of products under CN code 38101000 (Pickling preparations for metal surfaces; soldering, brazing or welding pastes and) from outside the EU in 2025. | 69.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 38101000 were up 85% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€37.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +85 % change | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38101000 to countries outside the EU were worth €82.8 million in 2025. | 82.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 38101000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €217.9 million in 2025. | 217.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 38101000 to the EU in 2025, with €32.5 million, or 47% of extra-EU imports. | 32.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 38101000 to the United States were €7.9 million in 2025. | 7.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 38101000 was €25.25 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 25.25 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 38101000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €25.7 million. | 25.7 EUR million | 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 341 private establishments in NAICS 331491 (Nonferrous metal (except copper and aluminum) rolling, drawing, and extruding) in 2025. | 341 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 331491 employed an average of 14,796 people in US private industry in 2025. | 14,796 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 331491 changed by +6% between 2020 (13,978 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +6 % change | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 331491 was $89,011 in 2025. | 89,011 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 38101000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 69772873
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38101000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 37757879; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 69772873
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38101000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 82840096
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38101000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 217883415
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38101000, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 32530405
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38101000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 7911717
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 38101000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 69772873, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 27629
- 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 38101000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 25705537
- 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 C2445, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 506
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2445, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 8568
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C2445, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2022, 16706
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 331491, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331491, annual_avg_estabs 341
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331491, annual_avg_emplvl 14796
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 13978; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 14796
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331491, avg_annual_pay 89011
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Electronics assemblers
- Automotive suppliers
- Solar module 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
- 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 solder materials market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €69.8 million of goods under CN 38101000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €82.8 million.
Where does the EU import solder materials from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United States, Japan, Switzerland.
What is the average import price of solder materials in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €25.25 per kilogram for CN 38101000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most solder materials?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Belgium.
How many US companies are in the solder materials industry?
BLS counts 341 private establishments in NAICS 331491 (Nonferrous metal (except copper and aluminum) rolling, drawing, and extruding), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the solder materials industry?
Eurostat counts 506 enterprises in NACE class C2445 (Other non-ferrous metal production).
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