Market evolution: Glass fibre products (CN 701990) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report examines the evolution of EU trade in glass fibre products not elsewhere specified (CN 701990) over the period 2015–2025. The product heading is a residual category covering glass fibres and articles thereof that are not captured by more specific sub-headings such as chopped strands, rovings, woven fabrics, or glass wool. As such, it captures a heterogeneous range of semi-finished and finished glass-fibre goods. Over the decade under review, the EU market for these products underwent a significant transformation: total trade values grew substantially, yet the underlying volumes and composition of trade shifted in ways that reveal deeper structural changes in competitiveness, sourcing strategies, and geopolitical realignment.

1. From Volume-Driven Trade to a Premium Export Market

1.1 Export values surged while volumes contracted

The most striking feature of the 2015–2025 period is the divergence between EU export values and export quantities. Total export value rose by 56.8%, climbing from €206.5 million in 2015 to €323.6 million in 2025. Over the same interval, export volume fell by 27.0%, from 40,737 tonnes to just 29,724 tonnes. This implies a dramatic repricing of EU exports: the average unit export price more than doubled, increasing by 114.8% from €5,067/t to €10,883/t.

This pattern suggests a shift in the EU's export mix toward higher-value-added glass fibre products. Rather than competing on volume with lower-cost producers, EU manufacturers appear to have moved up the value chain, exporting more specialised or processed goods at premium prices. The production data confirms a domestic contraction—EU production volume fell by 19.8% (from 349,100 t to 280,000 t) and production value declined by 12.9%—indicating that total output shrank even as the share directed to high-value export markets increased.

1.2 Import growth was more moderate and volume-stable

In contrast to exports, EU imports grew in a more conventional manner. Import value increased by 46.5%, from €191.2 million to €280.2 million, while import volumes rose modestly by 3.0% (from 39,670 t to 40,858 t). The import unit price increased by 42.2%, from €4,820/t to €6,856/t.

The fact that import volumes remained essentially flat while export volumes fell sharply means that the EU's underlying demand for glass fibre products was broadly stable—but domestic production (down 19.8%) and re-exports were redirected. Import prices also rose, though at roughly half the pace of export prices, reinforcing the notion that the EU was importing standardised goods while exporting premium ones.

1.3 The EU turned from a small net importer into a net exporter

In 2015, the trade balance was modestly positive at €15.2 million, but this masked a period of fluctuation: the balance dipped to a deficit of −€17.8 million at one point before recovering strongly. By 2025, the surplus stood at €43.4 million, an increase of 184.9%. The net import reliance shifted from +1.9% in 2015 to −1.4% in 2025, confirming that the EU moved from mild import dependence to mild export self-sufficiency over the decade.

2. Geopolitical Realignments Reshaped Trade Partners

2.1 China became the dominant import supplier and a fast-growing export destination

China's role in EU glass fibre trade expanded dramatically on both sides. As an import source, Chinese shipments to the EU grew by 65.8% in value, rising from €58.3 million to €96.6 million, making China by far the largest single supplier. More remarkably, EU exports to China grew by 242.3%, from €15.7 million to €53.7 million, making China the fastest-growing major export market. This bidirectional expansion points to a deepening integration of EU and Chinese glass fibre supply chains, with the EU supplying high-specification products to China while importing higher volumes of standardised goods.

2.2 Russian and Bahraini supply chains collapsed

Two of the top import partners in 2015 effectively disappeared from EU trade by 2025. Imports from the Russian Federation fell from €7.7 million to virtually zero (−100%), while Bahraini imports similarly collapsed from €5.7 million to €473 (−100%). The Russian decline is almost certainly linked to EU sanctions following 2022, while the Bahraini collapse may reflect the closure or relocation of a specific manufacturing operation. Together, these two channels removed approximately €13.4 million in import supply, a gap that was absorbed by other partners.

2.3 Brexit had a visible but asymmetric impact on UK trade

The United Kingdom remained a major partner on both sides of the ledger, but its trajectory was uneven. EU imports from the UK grew by 28.0% in value (€36.8m → €47.2m), though the UK's share fluctuated significantly—the import value peaked at €108.3 million in an intermediate year before settling. EU exports to the UK grew more modestly by 17.1% (€36.8m → €43.1m). The UK thus remained the second-largest export destination and the second-largest import source. The volatility of UK trade was also elevated, with a coefficient of variation of 0.42 on imports and 0.40 on exports, suggesting that the post-Brexit regulatory environment introduced persistent uncertainty into bilateral flows.

2.4 The United States consolidated its position as the top EU export market

The United States was the single largest EU export destination in 2025 at €62.9 million, up 52.6% from €41.2 million in 2015. In parallel, US exports to the EU declined by 20.1% (from €46.0m to €36.8m), meaning the EU's bilateral surplus with the US widened considerably. This is consistent with growing demand for high-quality glass fibre products in the US—likely driven by wind energy, aerospace, and construction sectors—where EU producers enjoy a competitive edge.

2.5 Emerging markets gained importance as EU export destinations

Several non-traditional partners recorded strong growth as EU export markets:

• Switzerland: +142.9% (€8.4m → €20.5m)
• Brazil: +116.6% (€5.5m → €12.0m)
• India: +99.7% (€3.5m → €7.0m as an import source)

Switzerland's growth is notable, though its trade was highly volatile (CV of 1.68 on imports, 0.30 on exports). Brazil exhibited the highest export volatility among major partners (CV of 1.10), suggesting episodic large orders rather than steady demand.

3. Market Concentration, Specialisation, and Vulnerability

3.1 Import sourcing became slightly more diversified

The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for EU imports by value decreased by 10.5%, from 1,940 to 1,737. While this remains in the "moderately concentrated" range, the decline indicates that the EU reduced its dependence on a narrow set of suppliers—partly by necessity, given the loss of Russian and Bahraini sources. By volume, however, import concentration rose by 48.6% (from 2,609 to 3,877), suggesting that the remaining suppliers now account for a larger share of physical quantities even as value became more spread. Export concentration remained low and stable (HHI around 950–970), reflecting the EU's broad and diversified customer base.

3.2 Specialisation is concentrated in Northern and Western Europe

In 2025, the EU member states with the highest revealed comparative advantage (RSCA) in glass fibre products were:

Denmark and Belgium stand out for combining high specialisation with large production shares. Denmark's strong position likely reflects its wind energy supply chain (glass fibres are a key input for turbine blades), while Belgium's role may be linked to its position as a logistics and processing hub. The least specialised member states—Malta, Bulgaria, Ireland, Greece, and Slovakia—had negligible production shares and strongly negative RSCA values, indicating near-total import dependence.

3.3 The largest EU economies dominated absolute trade volumes

In absolute terms, Germany was the EU's largest exporter (€74.2m, +19.8%) and importer (€54.6m, −0.6%). Notable shifts among other large members included:

• Italy: exports surged +222.4% (€9.9m → €32.0m) and imports +242.0% (€13.2m → €45.1m), suggesting rapid industrial expansion.
• Denmark: exports grew +145.4% (€26.6m → €65.2m), confirming its emerging role as a specialist producer.
• Belgium: exports jumped +270.0% (€6.2m → €22.8m).
• Sweden: exports declined −32.8% (€30.4m → €20.4m), potentially reflecting restructuring or loss of market share.

3.4 Price shocks flagged potential supply-chain vulnerabilities

The volatility and shock analysis identified several notable price events:

The Japan shock in 2022 (a 145% price spike on a relatively small share) may reflect one-off contract shifts or post-pandemic supply disruptions. The UK import price shock in 2023 is more significant given that the UK accounts for over a quarter of import value—a 72.6% price increase on such a large channel could reflect Brexit-related customs frictions, currency movements, or a structural repricing of UK-origin goods. The EU's export propensity remained stable at around 38.6%, indicating that roughly two-fifths of EU glass fibre production was destined for external markets—a degree of openness that both creates opportunity and introduces exposure to partner-country shocks.

Conclusion

Over the 2015–2025 decade, the EU's glass fibre products market (CN 701990) evolved from a volume-driven trade model into a premium-priced, export-oriented sector. The EU shifted from mild net import reliance to a net exporter position, achieving this through a combination of rising export unit prices (+114.8%) and a deliberate move toward higher-value-added products, even as domestic production volumes contracted by nearly 20%. China emerged as the pivotal trading partner—both the largest import source and the fastest-growing export market—while geopolitical events (sanctions on Russia, Brexit) forced supply-chain adjustments. Within the EU, Denmark, Belgium, and Italy emerged as dynamic players, while Germany maintained its position as the market anchor. The main risks ahead lie in the concentration of import volumes among fewer suppliers, the volatility of key bilateral relationships (notably with the UK and Switzerland), and the EU's continued reliance on external markets for roughly 38% of output. Overall, the data paints a picture of an industry that has successfully repositioned itself on value rather than volume, but one whose competitiveness increasingly depends on maintaining access to diversified and stable trade channels.