United States was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Zirconium is a corrosion resistant metal and compound set used in nuclear fuel cladding, ceramics and chemical equipment. Buyers are nuclear, chemical and ceramic firms.
Typical segments
- Zirconium metal
- Zirconium sponge
- Zircon sand
- Zirconium dioxide
- Zirconium alloys
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 61% from 2022 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 €33.5 million of products under CN code 81092100 (Unwrought zirconium and zirconium powders, containing < 1 part hafnium to 500 parts) from outside the EU in 2025. | 33.5 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 81092100 were up 61% in 2025 compared with 2022 (€20.8 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +61 % since 2022 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 81092100 to countries outside the EU were worth €1.3 million in 2025. | 1.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 81092100 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €4.8 million in 2025. | 4.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 81092100 to the EU in 2025, with €19.0 million, or 57% of extra-EU imports. | 19.0 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 81092100 to the United States were €661 thousand in 2025. | 661 EUR thousand | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 81092100 was €71.44 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 71.44 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 81092100 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €1.2 million. | 1.2 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 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 |
| PubMed indexed 926 papers mentioning "zirconium" in the title or abstract in 2025. | 926 papers | 2025 | U.S. National Library of Medicine |
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 81092100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 33539267
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 81092100, flow import, 2022 VALUE_IN_EUROS 20821877; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 33539267
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 81092100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1337759
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 81092100, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 4769845
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 81092100, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 18983104
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 81092100, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 660627
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 81092100, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 33539267, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 4695
- 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 81092100, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 1172726
- 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 331410, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331410, annual_avg_estabs 182
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331410, annual_avg_emplvl 7977
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 7921; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 7977
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 331410, avg_annual_pay 102879
- Figure 12
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed search "zirconium"[tiab] AND 2025[dp] (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 16
esearch count 926
- Figure 16
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Nuclear fuel makers
- Chemical plants
- Ceramic 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 zirconium market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €33.5 million of goods under CN 81092100 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €1.3 million.
Where does the EU import zirconium from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, Korea, Republic of, Thailand.
What is the average import price of zirconium in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €71.44 per kilogram for CN 81092100 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most zirconium?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Netherlands, Belgium.
How many US companies are in the zirconium 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 zirconium industry?
Eurostat counts 506 enterprises in NACE class C2445 (Other non-ferrous metal production).
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