United States was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Water treated to remove nearly all ions, particles and organics for sensitive processes. Buyers are chip fabs, drug makers and power plants.
Typical segments
- Semiconductor grade
- Pharmaceutical grade
- Power plant feedwater
- Laboratory grade
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 30% 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 €23.2 million of products under CN code 28539010 (Distilled or conductivity water and water of similar purity) from outside the EU in 2025. | 23.2 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 28539010 were up 30% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€17.9 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +30 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28539010 to countries outside the EU were worth €32.9 million in 2025. | 32.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 28539010 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €65.1 million in 2025. | 65.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 28539010 to the EU in 2025, with €13.5 million, or 58% of extra-EU imports. | 13.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 28539010 to the United States were €6.7 million in 2025. | 6.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 28539010 was €6.14 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 6.14 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 28539010 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €12.9 million. | 12.9 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 15,000 enterprises in NACE class E3600 (Water collection, treatment and supply) in 2023. | 15,000 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class E3600 had net turnover of €62.19 billion in 2023. | 62.19 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class E3600 employed 330,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 330,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 5,984 private establishments in NAICS 221310 (Water supply and irrigation systems) in 2025. | 5,984 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 221310 employed an average of 54,140 people in US private industry in 2025. | 54,140 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 221310 changed by +21% between 2020 (44,904 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | +21 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 221310 was $85,279 in 2025. | 85,279 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 28539010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 23171286
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28539010, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 17863908; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 23171286
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28539010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 32901127
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28539010, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 65102610
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28539010, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 13497316
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28539010, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 6708210
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 28539010, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 23171286, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 37751
- 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 28539010, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 12882642
- 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 E3600, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 15000
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 E3600, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 62187
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 E3600, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 330000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 221310, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 221310, annual_avg_estabs 5984
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 221310, annual_avg_emplvl 54140
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 44904; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 54140
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 221310, avg_annual_pay 85279
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Semiconductor fabs
- Pharmaceutical plants
- Power 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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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU ultrapure water market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €23.2 million of goods under CN 28539010 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €32.9 million.
Where does the EU import ultrapure water from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included United Kingdom, China, Israel.
What is the average import price of ultrapure water in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €6.14 per kilogram for CN 28539010 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most ultrapure water?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Ireland.
How many US companies are in the ultrapure water industry?
BLS counts 5,984 private establishments in NAICS 221310 (Water supply and irrigation systems), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the ultrapure water industry?
Eurostat counts 15,000 enterprises in NACE class E3600 (Water collection, treatment and supply).
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