Adipic acid, its salts and esters market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian adipic acid market displayed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2024. Starting at 153 thousand tons in 2018, a year marked by Ascend Performance Materials' announcement to expand global production capacities for adipic acid and related chemicals, the market volume then contracted to 129 thousand tons by 2020. A recovery to 152 thousand tons in 2021 was followed by a renewed downturn.

In 2022, the European Commission imposed provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of adipic acid from China. This measure increased import costs and contributed to a reduction in import volumes, leading to a decline in the overall market size to 137 thousand tons. Concurrently, the market saw significant technological developments, including Toray Industries' introduction of the first fully bio-based adipic acid, signaling a broader industry shift towards sustainable production methods.

The market decline continued into 2023, with volume falling to 126 thousand tons, influenced by BASF's announcement to cease adipic acid production at its Ludwigshafen site by the end of 2025. This planned closure affected supply chain dynamics. By 2024, the market rebounded to 150 thousand tons, supported by ongoing investments in bio-fermentation technologies and industry adaptation to updated EU regulations on food additives and emissions.

Production adipic acid, its salts and esters in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Italy's production of adipic acid, its salts and esters has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 39 843 thousand US dollars, down 5.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 55.5%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 23.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

After two years of decline, Italy's production of adipic acid, its salts and esters increased in 2020. Output reached 33 312 tonnes, up 9.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 40.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -16.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 30 571 tonnes, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 36.9%.

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

Exports adipic acid, its salts and esters from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy's exports of adipic acid, its salts and esters totaled 25.7 thousand tonnes, showing a strong year-on-year increase of 23.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 34.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.3%. The largest decline in exports was recorded in 2019 at 4.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Switzerland were the main destinations for Italy's exports of adipic acid, its salts and esters in volume terms. France accounted for 31.6% of exports, Germany for 21.1%, and Switzerland for 13.6%. Together, these three countries represented 66.2% of Italy's total exports in kind.

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

In 2020, the value of Italy's exports of adipic acid, its salts and esters reached 42.4 million US dollars, marking a significant increase of 19.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 5.7%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 35.6 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 42.5 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 16.1%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Germany, France, and Switzerland were the key partners for Italy's exports of adipic acid, its salts and esters in value terms. Germany accounted for 29.2% of exports, France for 16.2%, and Switzerland for 15.9%. Combined, these three countries made up 61.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports adipic acid, its salts and esters to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of adipic acid, its salts and esters declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 132.0 thousand tonnes, reflecting a modest decrease of 5.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 10.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 139.6 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany dominated Italy's imports of adipic acid, its salts and esters in volume terms, accounting for 73.4% of total flows. Other trading partners held relatively minor shares during this period.

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 adipic acid, its salts and esters declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 178.5 million US dollars, down 17.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 32%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -12.1%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 217.1 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 22.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.6%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Germany was the main supplier of adipic acid, its salts and esters to Italy in value terms, representing 73.8% of total imports. Other partners had relatively modest shares during this time.

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

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