Switzerland was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Paper and board tubes wound for rolls of film, tape, textile and paper. Buyers are converters, paper mills and packaging firms.
Typical segments
- Paper cores
- Film cores
- Textile tubes
- Mailing tubes
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 65% 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 €25.6 million of products under CN code 48229000 (Bobbins, spools, cops and similar supports of paper pulp, paper or paperboard, whether or) from outside the EU in 2025. | 25.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 48229000 were up 65% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€15.5 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +65 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 48229000 to countries outside the EU were worth €53.3 million in 2025. | 53.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 48229000 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €198.9 million in 2025. | 198.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 48229000 to the EU in 2025, with €6.8 million, or 27% of extra-EU imports. | 6.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 48229000 to the United States were €2.7 million in 2025. | 2.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 48229000 was €1.30 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 1.30 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 48229000 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €18.3 million. | 18.3 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 396 private establishments in NAICS 322219 (Other paperboard container manufacturing) in 2025. | 396 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 322219 employed an average of 25,434 people in US private industry in 2025. | 25,434 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 322219 changed by +6% between 2020 (24,091 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +6 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 322219 was $75,107 in 2025. | 75,107 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 48229000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 25569653
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48229000, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 15541700; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 25569653
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48229000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 53264931
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48229000, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 198920164
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48229000, partner CH, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6776714
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48229000, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 2738673
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48229000, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 25569653, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 196023
- 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 48229000, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 18339620
- 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 322219, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322219, annual_avg_estabs 396
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322219, annual_avg_emplvl 25434
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 24091; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 25434
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322219, avg_annual_pay 75107
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Paper mills
- Film and tape converters
- Packaging firms
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
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU tube and core market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €25.6 million of goods under CN 48229000 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €53.3 million.
Where does the EU import tube and core from?
Switzerland was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included Türkiye, United Kingdom, China.
What is the average import price of tube and core in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €1.30 per kilogram for CN 48229000 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most tube and core?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Sweden.
How many US companies are in the tube and core industry?
BLS counts 396 private establishments in NAICS 322219 (Other paperboard container manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the tube and core 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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