Market evolution: Technical textiles (CN 591190) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyses the trade evolution of the European Union in technical textile products and articles under Combined Nomenclature code 591190 (Textile products and articles, for technical purposes, specified in Note 7 to chapter 59, n.e.s.) from 2015 to 2025. This is a residual category covering a diverse range of technical textiles not specified elsewhere. The decade was characterised by significant growth in both export and import values, a substantial strengthening of the EU's trade surplus, and notable shifts in trade partnerships and internal production dynamics. The analysis is based exclusively on the provided trade data overview.

1. The EU Solidifies its Position as a Net Exporter with a Robust Trade Surplus

Over the 2015–2025 period, the EU's trade in technical textiles (CN 591190) expanded substantially, with the Union solidifying its role as a major net exporter and achieving a significantly strengthened trade balance.

1.1 Strong Value Growth Outpaces Volume Increases

Both exports and imports grew markedly in value, though the rate of growth was not matched by equivalent increases in traded volume, indicating significant price inflation. The value of EU exports grew from €307.5 million in 2015 to €566.5 million in 2025, an increase of 84.3%. In contrast, the exported quantity grew only 6.2%, from 19,931 tonnes to 21,167 tonnes. This divergence is reflected in a 73.4% rise in the average export price per tonne. A similar, though less pronounced, pattern is seen in imports: value grew by 78.1% (from €139.3 million to €248.1 million) while volume grew by 58.5% (from 11,104 tonnes to 17,596 tonnes).

1.2 The Trade Balance Reaches New Heights

The combination of higher value growth in exports compared to imports led to a dramatic improvement in the EU's trade surplus. The balance increased from €168.1 million in 2015 to €318.4 million in 2025, representing a gain of 89.4%. This consistent surplus underscores the sector's competitive strength in global markets. The net import reliance metric reinforces this, showing the EU has a strong and growing negative reliance (i.e., it is a net exporter), moving from -51.5% in 2015 to -253.4% in 2025.

2. Shifting Geographical Partnerships and Internal Specialisation

The decade witnessed a clear reorientation of the EU's trade partnerships, with Asia gaining importance, while the internal market structure saw some members develop strong specialisation in this product category.

2.1 Asian Economies Drive Import Growth, While Russia Fades from Export Maps

The top partners for EU imports reveal a significant rise in sourcing from Asia. China remained the largest import source, with its value more than doubling (+108.0% to €77.3 million). India's import value surged by 582.4%, from a low base to €8.7 million, while imports from South Korea grew by 137.6%. For exports, the United States remained the top destination, with its value nearly doubling to €101.7 million. A standout trend is the dramatic growth in exports to China (+153.0% to €84.9 million), making it a pivotal bilateral partner. Conversely, exports to the Russian Federation collapsed by 72.0%, likely reflecting geopolitical sanctions, while the United Kingdom's share in both imports and exports showed slight relative decline post-Brexit.

2.2 Germany Dominates Exports, While Internal Specialisation Varies Widely

Within the EU, Germany was the overwhelming leader in exports, with its share growing from €96.3 million in 2015 to €267.3 million in 2025 (+177.5%). Hungary emerged as a notable exporter, with values increasing nearly eightfold to €45.2 million. In contrast, Italy's export value decreased slightly (-7.8%). Analysis of revealed comparative advantage shows Lithuania, Germany, and Portugal as the most specialised EU producers in 2025. Conversely, members like Malta, Cyprus, and Croatia displayed a significant comparative disadvantage in this sector.

3. Market Volatility, Strategic Autonomy, and Product Segment Nuances

The market experienced periodic volatility and supply shocks, while broader trends point towards increased EU trade integration and export orientation. The product segment breakdown reveals divergent price dynamics between high-tech and general-purpose items.

3.1 Import Partners Exhibited Higher Price Volatility

Analysis of volatility shows that import flows from certain partners were notably erratic. Imports from India (CV 0.79) and the United Kingdom (CV 0.55) displayed high volatility. Significant price shocks were detected, most prominently a 36.2% price spike for imports from Türkiye in 2023 and a 291.0% price surge for imports from India in 2022, indicating potential supply chain disruptions or compositional shifts. Export flows were generally more stable, with Norway (CV 0.07) and the United States (CV 0.17) showing the least volatility.

3.2 Increased Trade Integration and a Strong Export Focus

Key vulnerability and autonomy indicators highlight the sector's growing global integration and export orientation. The trade intensity ratio rose from 80.7% to 117.7%, meaning the sector's trade grew faster than overall EU production. Even more strikingly, the export propensity increased from 73.1% to 127.7%, indicating that a growing share of EU production in this sector is destined for non-EU markets.

3.3 Divergent Trajectories in Sub-Product Segments

The product segment breakdown reveals stark differences. The main residual category (59119099) dominates both trade flows and shows strong value growth. However, the high-tech segment of "Self-adhesive circular polishing pads for semiconductor wafers" (59119091) is characterised by extremely high unit values and pronounced volatility. Its import price per tonne skyrocketed from €28,080 in 2017 to €194,456 in 2024, reflecting intense demand, possible supply constraints, and its critical role in semiconductor manufacturing. This segment's dynamics contrast sharply with the more stable felt products (59119010).

Conclusion

The EU's trade in technical textiles (CN 591190) demonstrated robust health and strategic importance over the 2015–2025 period. The sector achieved substantial value growth, vastly improved its trade surplus, and became more integrated into and reliant on global markets, particularly through strengthened ties with Asia and the United States. Internally, production and export leadership became more concentrated in specialised members like Germany and Hungary. While the market faced episodic price volatility and supply shocks, the overarching trend is one of strengthened EU competitiveness, except in the niche, high-value semiconductor polishing pad segment, which is marked by intense global competition and significant price instability. The data points to a mature yet dynamic sector where the EU holds a strong, but not unchallenged, position.