United Kingdom was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Adhesive tape that changes colour when exposed to a sterilisation cycle, used to seal and mark packs. Hospitals, dental offices and labs use it.
Typical segments
- Steam indicator tape
- Ethylene oxide indicator tape
- Plasma indicator tape
- Autoclave tape
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 63% 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 €292.8 million of products under CN code 48114190 (Self-adhesive paper and paperboard, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, in) from outside the EU in 2025. | 292.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 48114190 were up 63% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€179.3 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +63 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 48114190 to countries outside the EU were worth €589.7 million in 2025. | 589.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 48114190 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €1.76 billion in 2025. | 1.76 EUR billion | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 48114190 to the EU in 2025, with €93.4 million, or 32% of extra-EU imports. | 93.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 48114190 to the United States were €48.2 million in 2025. | 48.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 48114190 was €3.57 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 3.57 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Poland was the largest EU exporter of CN 48114190 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €112.8 million. | 112.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 6,931 enterprises in NACE class C1721 (Manufacture of corrugated paper and paperboard and of containers of paper and paperboard) in 2023. | 6,931 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1721 had net turnover of €71.00 billion in 2023. | 71.00 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1721 employed 277,654 people across the EU in 2022. | 277,654 persons employed | 2022 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,076 private establishments in NAICS 322220 (Paper bag and coated and treated paper manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,076 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 322220 employed an average of 53,570 people in US private industry in 2025. | 53,570 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 322220 changed by -0% between 2020 (53,625 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -0 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 322220 was $78,699 in 2025. | 78,699 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 48114190, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 292750759
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48114190, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 179336017; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 292750759
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48114190, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 589664299
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48114190, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1764991315
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48114190, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 93439920
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48114190, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 48208972
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48114190, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 292750759, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 818973
- 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 PL, product 48114190, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 112765058
- 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 C1721, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 6931
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1721, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 71000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1721, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2022, 277654
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 322220, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322220, annual_avg_estabs 1076
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322220, annual_avg_emplvl 53570
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 53625; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 53570
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322220, avg_annual_pay 78699
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Hospitals
- Dental offices
- Laboratories
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
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU sterilization indicator tape market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €292.8 million of goods under CN 48114190 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €589.7 million.
Where does the EU import sterilization indicator tape from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, Japan, United States.
What is the average import price of sterilization indicator tape in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €3.57 per kilogram for CN 48114190 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most sterilization indicator tape?
Poland led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, Italy.
How many US companies are in the sterilization indicator tape industry?
BLS counts 1,076 private establishments in NAICS 322220 (Paper bag and coated and treated paper manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the sterilization indicator tape industry?
Eurostat counts 6,931 enterprises in NACE class C1721 (Manufacture of corrugated paper and paperboard and of containers of paper and paperboard).
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