Articles of non-cellular vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles experienced notable changes from 2018 to 2024. Market volume fell sharply in 2020 to 171 thousand tonnes. That same year, a pivotal regulatory change took effect: DM Ambiente n. 78 established an end-of-waste status for vulcanised rubber from used tires, creating a framework for testing and tracing granulated rubber for use in construction, transport, and other industries.

After 2020, the market rebounded strongly, reaching 235 thousand tonnes in 2021 and 253 thousand tonnes in 2022. This recovery was supported by a 22% growth in sales of granulated vulcanised rubber in 2022, reflecting increased circular economy activity. However, rising costs for raw materials, energy, and logistics during this period pressured industry margins even as physical volumes expanded.

Evolving regulations, including the EU's General Product Safety Regulation (EU 2023/988) and upcoming Italian environmental reporting rules (MUD 2026), continued to shape the sector. Italian manufacturers invested in advanced molding and vulcanization technologies to meet demand for high-quality, customized rubber articles. By 2024, market volume had grown further to 258 thousand tonnes.

Production non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles (excluding hard rubber) declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1 732 million US dollars, showing a significant drop of 14.1% compared to 2019. From 2018 to 2020, production fell by 23.2%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 8.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Italy produced 176.1 thousand tonnes of non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles (excluding hard rubber), marking a decrease of 13.1% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2020 period, production declined by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 202.6 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 1.1%.

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

Exports non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's exports of non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles (excluding hard rubber) reached 64 280 tonnes in 2020, up by 4.3% from the previous year. The lowest point was in 2019 at 61 636 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 64 425 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports of non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles (excluding hard rubber) were not highly concentrated. Germany accounted for 25.8% of exports, France for 9.0%, and Poland for 8.6%, with these three countries together making up 43.3% of total export volumes.

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 exports of non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles (excluding hard rubber) fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 135 million US dollars, down by 1.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 4.4%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 1.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 1 230 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 13.2%, while the largest decline of 6.0% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports of non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles (excluding hard rubber) were distributed across many countries. Even the top destinations—Germany, France, and Poland—together represented only 48.2% 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 non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles (excluding hard rubber) declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 59 559 tonnes, a modest decrease of 3.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 8.7%, with a CAGR of -3.0%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 65 939 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 1.0%, while the largest decline of 6.2% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Germany, and Spain formed the core of Italy's imports of non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles (excluding hard rubber). China accounted for 27.1% of import volumes, Germany for 17.4%, and Spain for 10.5%, with these three countries together making up 54.9% of total 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 non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles (excluding hard rubber) fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 525 million US dollars, reflecting a loss of 6.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 8%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 2.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 607 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 6.4%, while the largest decline of 7.3% occurred in 2019.

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

The market base for Italy's imports of non-cellular vulcanised rubber articles (excluding hard rubber) was broad from 2017 to 2020. Germany accounted for 26.4% of import value, China for 9.7%, and France for 9.1%, with these three countries together representing just 45.2% of total flows, while the remaining 54.8% was shared among numerous other countries.

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

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