ABS copolymers in primary forms market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for ABS copolymers in primary forms saw considerable volatility from 2018 to 2024. After reaching 204.6 thousand tons in 2018, market volume contracted sharply over the next two years, falling to 121.9 thousand tons by 2020. A distinct recovery occurred in 2021, with volume growing 20% to 146.4 thousand tons. This rebound was primarily driven by a surge in imports to 129.2 thousand tons, a response to constrained raw material supply and higher costs after a major acrylonitrile plant shutdown in Germany limited European production availability.

Market volume then stabilized, averaging around 137 thousand tons in 2022-2023 before declining to 125.1 thousand tons in 2024. During this phase, Italian market dynamics were shaped by evolving product preferences, with growing buyer interest in specialized ABS grades like flame-retardant and reinforced versions for automotive and electronics applications. Producers concurrently maintained their focus on emulsion graft copolymerization for standard grades and bulk polymerization for premium segments, reflecting ongoing optimization of production strategies.

The latter part of the period was also marked by the influence of broader global capacity and demand trends on the Italian market, particularly from key consuming industries, which contributed to the observed fluctuations in domestic consumption volume.

Production ABS in primary forms in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of ABS copolymers in primary forms, measured in monetary value, has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 141.0 million US dollars, marking a 12.1% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 61.8%, with an average annual decline of 27.4%. The peak was in 2018, when production reached 402.3 million US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 60.1% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 9.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy's production volume of ABS copolymers in primary forms has decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 78.6 thousand tonnes were produced, showing a slight decline of 1.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 49.4%, which translates to an average annual rate of 20.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports ABS in primary forms from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, exports of ABS copolymers in primary forms from Italy increased. In 2020, exports stood at 59.2 thousand tonnes, reflecting a negligible change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 9%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%. The lowest point was in 2019, at 58.9 thousand tonnes, while the largest drop occurred in 2018, with a 5.2% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Poland formed the main cluster of markets for Italy's exports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 31.8% of exports, Austria for 16.3%, and Poland for 6.2%, together making up 54.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The monetary value of ABS copolymers in primary forms exported from Italy has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 102.7 million US dollars, representing a modest decrease of 6.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 27.7%, with an average annual decline of 10.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Poland were the primary buyers of ABS copolymers in primary forms from Italy in value terms. Germany accounted for 29.3% of exports, Austria for 15.2%, and Poland for 7.1%, jointly representing 51.6% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020

Imports ABS in primary forms to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of ABS copolymers in primary forms, measured in volume, have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 102.5 thousand tonnes, constituting an 18.0% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 28.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 10.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, South Korea, Belgium, and Spain stood out as the main sources for Italy's imports in volume terms. South Korea accounted for 26.8% of imports, Belgium for 23.2%, and Spain for 12.8%, together representing 62.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's imports of ABS copolymers in primary forms, in monetary terms, have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 159.6 million US dollars, which is 23.8% less than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 39.4%, with an average annual decline of 15.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, South Korea, Belgium, and Spain remained the principal suppliers of ABS copolymers in primary forms to Italy in value terms. South Korea accounted for 28.2% of imports, Belgium for 23.4%, and Spain for 15.6%, jointly making up 67.2% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020