Artificial and prepared waxes market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the Italian market for artificial and prepared waxes in physical terms grew from 140.5 thousand tons to 162.4 thousand tons. This overall expansion was interrupted by a notable contraction in 2019, followed by a recovery and steady growth through 2022. The market then dipped again in 2023 before reaching a new high in 2024.

Measured in value, the market exhibited more volatile dynamics. After a decline in 2019, the market's worth surged dramatically in 2021 to $296.2 million, far exceeding its 2018 level of $235.5 million. This peak was followed by another high in 2022 before values corrected downward in 2023 and 2024, ending the period at $271.0 million.

The supply structure saw considerable change. Domestic production varied, hitting a low of 102.9 thousand tons in 2020 before recovering. Imports played an increasingly significant role, rising from 44.1 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 95.9 thousand tons in 2022, which was a key driver of the market's volume growth in that period.

Production artificial and prepared waxes in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, Italy's production of artificial and prepared waxes showed signs of recovery. In 2020, output was valued at 157.5 million US dollars, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 28.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 156.8 million US dollars, which also saw the steepest decline of 22.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy's production of artificial and prepared waxes declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 102.9 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production dropped by 34.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.2%.

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

Exports artificial and prepared waxes from Italy

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy exported 36 296 tonnes of artificial and prepared waxes, an 8.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 9.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 5.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's export destinations for artificial and prepared waxes remained highly diversified. France accounted for 19.3% of exports in volume, Germany for 10.2%, and the Netherlands for 8.2%. Together, these three countries represented just 37.8% of total flows, while a wide range of smaller markets made up the remaining 62.2%.

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

Following two years of growth, Italy's exports of artificial and prepared waxes declined in 2020. Exports totaled 81.6 million US dollars, down 6.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 87.1 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 9.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Spain were among the largest buyers of Italian artificial and prepared waxes in value terms, accounting for 16.2%, 8.0%, and 5.9% of exports, respectively. However, even combined, they represented only 30.1% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports artificial and prepared waxes to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of artificial and prepared waxes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 61 843 tonnes, a sharp 39.0% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 26.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 44 111 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Italy's imports of artificial and prepared waxes in volume were Germany, China, and Denmark. Germany accounted for 40.9% of imports, China for 10.8%, and Denmark for 8.2%. Together, these three countries represented 59.9% 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

In 2020, Italy imported 114.6 million US dollars worth of artificial and prepared waxes, a modest 1.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 116.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Italy's imports of artificial and prepared waxes in value terms were Germany, China, and Denmark. Germany accounted for 46.8% of imports, China for 8.7%, and Denmark for 7.8%. Collectively, these three countries made up 63.2% of total import flows.

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

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