Anionic surfactants market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian anionic surfactants market volume expanded from 316 thousand tons in 2018 to 337 thousand tons in 2020, followed by a sharp contraction to 210 thousand tons in 2021.

Volume rebounded to 247 thousand tons in 2022, driven by the launch of new organic personal care products like Moam Organics' Santorini shower gel, which stimulated demand for plant-based surfactants, and Italian customs exemptions for hygiene soaps and organic surfactants that eased market access.

After 2022, market volume stabilized around 240 thousand tons, while value peaked at $305.7 million in 2020, declined to $207.2 million in 2023, and recovered to $231.2 million in 2024.

Production anionic surfactants in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's anionic surfactants production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2020, output reached 418.4 million US dollars, marking a 4.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 21.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 399.5 million US dollars, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 22.7% decrease.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy's anionic surfactants production volume grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 415.2 thousand tonnes, up 2.9% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 10.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.7%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 395.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 15.1%.

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

Exports anionic surfactants from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's exports of anionic surfactants declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, shipments abroad totaled 116.1 thousand tonnes, a modest decrease of 3.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 3.5%, averaging an annual decline of 1.2%. The peak was in 2018 at 129.5 thousand tonnes, followed by the largest drop of 7.4% in 2019. In contrast, 2018 saw the biggest increase of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, France, and Germany were significant buyers of Italian anionic surfactants, accounting for 14.4%, 10.6%, and 7.1% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 32.0% of total exports, with the remaining 68.0% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

Italy's anionic surfactants exports in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export revenues totaled 176.2 million US dollars, down 2.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7.7%, with an average annual decline of 2.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 207.3 million US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 12.6% decrease. In 2018, exports saw the biggest increase of 8.7%.

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

The export structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified partner base. France, Spain, and Germany accounted for 11.4%, 10.2%, and 8.6% of exports in value, respectively, but together they represented only 30.2% of total flows. The remaining 69.8% was spread across many smaller markets.

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

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

Imports anionic surfactants to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of anionic surfactants fell for the third consecutive year. In 2020, inbound shipments amounted to 37.8 thousand tonnes, a 7.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports dropped by 28.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Greece, Germany, and Belgium were the primary sources for Italy's anionic surfactants imports in kind, representing 33.5%, 26.1%, and 10.8% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 70.3% of all 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

In 2020, Italy's anionic surfactants imports in value terms reached 63.4 million US dollars, an 8.2% increase year-over-year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 12%, with an average annual decline of 4.2%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 58.6 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 72.7 million US dollars. The sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with a 19.4% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the Netherlands were the largest suppliers of anionic surfactants to Italy in value terms, accounting for 31.7%, 16.8%, and 11.9% of imports, respectively. Combined, they made up 60.4% 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