Carbon dioxide market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian carbon dioxide market experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2020. A supply shortage emerged in the summer of 2018 due to the temporary closure of several ammonia plants across Europe for maintenance, tightening CO2 availability. The market value then surged by 40% in 2019. The following year, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary reduction in industrial activity, lowering demand for CO2 and contracting the market by 15%.

Persistent supply challenges defined the market from 2021 onward. In 2021, a shortage of carbon dioxide for the beverage sector, driven by high energy costs and production difficulties, coincided with a sharp rise in the price of emission allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), increasing costs for producers. This contributed to an 18% market contraction. Although high energy prices and delivery interruptions continued to strain supply in 2022, the market began to recover. By 2023, the launch of innovative real-time CO2 monitoring tools and a growing focus on carbon capture and storage technologies supported ongoing market expansion.

The market's upward trajectory accelerated in 2024, with its value rising 32% to reach $117 million.

Production carbon dioxide in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Italy, carbon dioxide output was valued at 69 282 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 16.6% decrease from the previous year. Production declined by 15.8% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annualized rate of 5.6%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 58 462 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 83 090 thousand US dollars. The sharpest drop of 29.0% took place in 2018, followed by the largest increase of 42.1% in 2019.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy produced 207.6 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2020, down 17.9% from a year earlier. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 31.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.9%. The minimum output of 148.8 thousand tonnes was recorded in 2018. That year also saw the steepest decline of 51.0%, while the biggest rise of 69.9% occurred in 2019.

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

Exports carbon dioxide from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Italy's carbon dioxide export volumes decreased. In 2020, exports amounted to 4 583 tonnes, a 3.5% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports overall increased by 39.9%, averaging an annualized rate of 11.8%. The peak value was in 2019 at 4 752 tonnes, with the largest increase of 40.1% recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Malta, France, and Cyprus—collectively represented 77.0% of Italy's total carbon dioxide exports in volume terms.

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, K $ US

After a two-year upward trend, Italy's carbon dioxide exports in value terms declined. In 2020, exports totaled 5 364 thousand US dollars, a 5.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 66.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.6%. The highest value was in 2019 at 5 686 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 45.7%.

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

Italy's export market in value terms was diverse from 2017 to 2020. Germany, France, and Malta accounted for 18.4%, 14.0%, and 12.6% of exports, respectively, totaling 45.0% of flows. The remaining 55.0% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports carbon dioxide to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's carbon dioxide imports in volume terms stood at 32 716 tonnes in 2020, reflecting a 36.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 29%, averaging an annualized decline of 10.8%. The maximum volume of 51 476 tonnes was recorded in 2019, which also experienced the largest increase of 19.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top sources for Italy's carbon dioxide imports in volume terms were Hungary, Switzerland, and Croatia, contributing 22.9%, 18.8%, and 15.2% respectively. Together, they made up 56.8% 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, K $ US

After two years of growth, Italy's carbon dioxide imports in value terms declined. In 2020, imports reached 13 119 thousand US dollars, a 4.0% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 45.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.4%. The peak value was in 2019 at 13 662 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest rise of 29.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Israel, and Germany were the core sources for Italy's carbon dioxide imports in value terms, accounting for 45.2%, 10.9%, and 10.0% respectively. Combined, they represented 66.1% 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