Builders’ wares of plastics market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The market for builders’ wares of plastics in Italy showed modest movement in its initial years, with the market size increasing from 1 324 million US dollars in 2018 to 1 351 million in 2019, before contracting to 1 238 million in 2020.

A period of exceptional expansion began in 2021, as the market value jumped to 1 836 million US dollars and then surged to 3 086 million in 2022. This robust growth was primarily fueled by heightened global demand within the construction and automotive industries, which drove consumption of plastic building components such as fasteners and materials produced by extrusion machinery.

Market growth continued through 2023 and 2024, reaching 3 423 million and 3 696 million US dollars respectively. This phase was characterized by the construction sector's increasing adoption of plastics, including recycled materials, a trend reinforced by European regulatory shifts targeting packaging waste. Furthermore, declining polymer prices and ongoing investments in technological innovation supported sustained market activity.

Production plastic builders’ wares in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's production of builders' wares of plastics was valued at 1,485 million US dollars, marking a 2.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 18%, which translates to an annualized decline of 6.4%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 16.1% decrease, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 0.6%.

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

Exports plastic builders’ wares from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy exported 100.9 thousand tonnes of builders' wares of plastics, showing a measured year-over-year rise of 7.2%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 10.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 0.3% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and Spain were the top buyers of Italy's builders' wares of plastics, accounting for 18.5%, 13.9%, and 12.4% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 44.7% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure.

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, Italy's exports of builders' wares of plastics in value terms reached 431.4 million US dollars, up 7.3% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 10.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 4.6%, while 2018 saw the highest increase of 7.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, Italy's exports of builders' wares of plastics in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. France, Germany, and Spain accounted for 18.2%, 15.5%, and 9.7% of exports in value terms, respectively, but together they represented only 43.4% of total 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 plastic builders’ wares to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy's imports of builders' wares of plastics totaled 43.3 thousand tonnes, an 8.3% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 33.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 12.7%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 41.4 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 36.4%, while 2019 saw the biggest increase of 14.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Austria led as suppliers of builders' wares of plastics to Italy, with shares of 27.2%, 13.0%, and 10.8% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they accounted for 51.0% of total imports in kind.

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 builders' wares of plastics declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1,485 million US dollars, reflecting an 18.4% year-over-year fall. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.3%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 6.9%.

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

In 2017–2020, Germany, Austria, and Poland remained the principal suppliers of builders' wares of plastics to Italy in value terms, with shares of 26.2%, 16.4%, and 13.2% of imports, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 55.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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