Hose & Belt Manufacturing in European Union 2026: Industry Statistics & Trends

The Hose and Belt Manufacturing industry in the European Union provides critical fluid-handling, power transmission, and conveyor components for the automotive, industrial, and agricultural sectors. As a specialized segment within the broader rubber and plastics manufacturing space, it is deeply integrated into Europe's advanced manufacturing supply chains. According to the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers' Association (ETRMA), the broader EU tyre and general rubber goods sector generated a turnover exceeding €47 billion in 2023, supporting approximately 360,000 direct jobs across 4,200 enterprises. Driven by the transition toward electric vehicles and the adoption of sustainable, bio-

Industry snapshot

Key public data points

Historical & forecast

Get in touch and our analysts will be happy to help with custom market sizing, deeper segmentation, supplier detail or a bespoke study built for you.

What does the Hose & Belt Manufacturing in European Union industry cover?

The industry encompasses the manufacturing of rubber and plastic hoses, conveyor belts, and power transmission belts. These products are officially classified under the EU's NACE Rev. 2 system within code 22.19, which covers the 'Manufacture of other rubber products.' Manufacturers utilize a mix of natural rubber, synthetic rubbers like Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR), and polymer blends to create specialized components capable of withstanding extreme pressure, temperature fluctuations, and chemical exposure.

• •Produces industrial hoses, hydraulic hoses, and pneumatic hoses used in construction, mining, and chemical processing.
• •Manufactures heavy-duty conveyor belts for mining and agriculture, alongside transmission and timing belts for automotive applications.
• •Explicitly excludes the manufacture of rubber tires (NACE 22.11) and the primary production of synthetic rubber raw materials (NACE 20.17).

Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?

The European hose and belt manufacturing market is moderately concentrated at the top, featuring several large multinational polymer specialists alongside a long tail of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Operations are highly integrated into regional industrial supply chains, with Germany, France, Italy, and Sweden serving as major innovation and manufacturing hubs. Larger firms increasingly dominate through vertical integration and extensive global distribution networks.

• •In 2023, the broader EU tyre and general rubber manufacturing sector operated via approximately 4,200 enterprises (ETRMA).
• •The market relies heavily on a skilled workforce, employing around 360,000 individuals across the broader rubber goods space in the EU27.
• •Germany holds a dominant structural position, anchored by an extensive local chemical engineering sector and heavy automotive OEM presence.

What drives demand in the industry?

Demand is intrinsically linked to the macroeconomic performance of the European Union's automotive, manufacturing, and construction sectors. The ongoing shift towards electric mobility has triggered strong demand for specialized cooling and thermal management hoses, while increased automation in logistics sustains the conveyor belt segment. Furthermore, stringent workplace safety and operational efficiency standards encourage the regular and mandatory replacement of hydraulic belts and hoses.

• •Automotive electrification requires newly engineered, lightweight thermal management hoses for EV battery cooling systems.
• •Industrial automation and the expansion of warehouse logistics rely heavily on durable conveyor and transmission belts.
• •Robust aftermarket and replacement demand is sustained by strict maintenance schedules in heavy industries like mining and agriculture.

Who are the notable companies in the industry?

Competition in the EU market is heavily driven by materials science innovation, product durability, and the ability to meet exacting OEM specifications. European manufacturers face ongoing price competition from Asian imports but defend their market share through proprietary compound formulations and specialized, high-margin engineering solutions. Strategic consolidation is common, as tier-one suppliers acquire niche producers to expand their technical product portfolios.

• •Continental AG (Germany): A major global player whose ContiTech division is a leader in transmission belts, conveyor systems, and fluid handling.
• •Trelleborg AB (Sweden): Operates a highly specialized Fluid Handling Solutions division focusing on industrial, marine, and mining hoses.
• •Semperit AG Holding (Austria): A prominent producer of hydraulic and industrial hoses, as well as escalator handrails and conveyor belts.
• •Hutchinson SA (France): A subsidiary of TotalEnergies, deeply involved in fluid management and power transmission systems for the aerospace and automotive sectors.

What are the recent trends and outlook?

The industry is currently prioritizing sustainability, focusing on the integration of bio-based materials and recycled end-of-life rubber into new product lines. Digitization is another transformative trend, with manufacturers embedding IoT sensors into conveyor belts and hydraulic hoses to enable predictive maintenance and real-time structural monitoring. The medium-term outlook remains steady as green transition initiatives spur infrastructure investments, despite near-term headwinds from raw material and energy cost volatility.

• •Rising use of bio-butadiene and sustainable synthetic rubbers to align with the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan.
• •Development of 'smart' hoses and belts equipped with RFID tags and condition-monitoring sensors to prevent industrial downtime.
• •Supply chain localization efforts are expanding to mitigate the severe price volatility of imported natural rubber.

How is the industry regulated?

Hose and belt manufacturers operating within the EU must navigate a dense framework of environmental, chemical, and workplace safety regulations. Compliance with REACH is mandatory and heavily influences the selection of plasticizers, curing agents, and flame retardants used in rubber compounding. Products destined for high-risk environments, such as underground mining or volatile chemical handling, must also meet strict ISO and DIN safety standards.

• •Strict adherence to REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) to phase out hazardous substances in polymer blends.
• •Must comply with rigorous Occupational Health and Safety mandates regarding fire-resistant and anti-static properties for industrial belts.
• •Subject to the newly implemented EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which requires strict traceability for natural rubber imports.

Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.

• Eurostat (Structural Business Statistics and PRODCOM, 2023) ·
• European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers' Association (ETRMA Industry Statistics, 2023-2024) ·
• National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) - France (Turnover Index for Manufacture of other rubber products, 2024) ·
• Official Journal of the European Union (NACE Rev. 2 Classification Guidelines)