Acetone market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian acetone market volume grew by 8% to 115 174 t in 2019 before contracting to 104 698 t the following year. The market stabilized at just above 104 700 t in 2021. The market then contracted to 95 008 t in 2022, influenced by new technical standards regulating the quality of automotive fuels, which affected the market for solvents like acetone. This downward trend accelerated in 2023, with the market volume falling 19% to 76 619 t. This decline was driven by increased compliance with the European Union's CLP Regulation for classifying and labeling hazardous chemicals, which raised operating costs, and by ongoing geopolitical tensions that disrupted raw material availability and prices.

The market rebounded strongly in 2024, growing by 34% to 102 443 t. This recovery coincided with the adoption of EU Regulation 2024/2865, which introduced significant updates to the CLP rules for chemical classification, labeling, and packaging. These changes required companies to adjust their compliance procedures, while persistent geopolitical factors continued to shape supply chains and raw material costs in the chemical sector.

Production acetone in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Italy's acetone production value rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. The output was valued at 64 559 thousand US dollars, representing a significant year-over-year increase of 51.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 26.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 42 609 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 36.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Italy produced 82 037 tonnes of acetone, showing a modest increase of 1.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 80 852 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 98 471 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 17.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 4.6%.

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

Exports acetone from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's acetone exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 25 581 tonnes. This represented a sharp decrease of 33.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 20.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -7.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 40 643 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 26.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—France, Switzerland, and Spain—collectively accounted for 82.6% of Italy's total acetone exports by volume.

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, K $ US

Italy's acetone export value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 20 075 thousand US dollars. This marked a substantial drop of 14.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 24%, with an annualized rate of -8.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 29 857 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 13.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, Switzerland, and Spain were the leading markets for Italy's acetone exports by value. France accounted for 43.4% of exports, Switzerland for 29.5%, and Spain for 7.6%. Together, these three countries represented 80.5% 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 acetone to Italy

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy's acetone imports totaled 48 242 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decrease of 33.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 28.2%, with an annualized rate of -10.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 72 669 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 49.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—France, Germany, and Belgium—together accounted for 71.3% of Italy's total acetone imports by volume.

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, K $ US

In 2020, Italy's acetone import value totaled 43 042 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decline of 2.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 39.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 37 740 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 46.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 16.8%.

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

Over 2017-2020, France, Germany, and Belgium were the top suppliers of acetone to Italy by value. France accounted for 28.1% of imports, Germany for 25.1%, and Belgium for 18.1%. Their combined share reached 71.3% 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