Filter paper and paperboard market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian filter paper and paperboard market saw substantial growth from 2019 to 2022, with its value rising from $42.2 million to $62.9 million. This expansion was fueled by the broader paper industry's momentum, where the surge in e-commerce boosted demand for packaging materials and the entry of new production capacities in 2021 increased overall output.

Market growth reversed in 2023, with size dipping to $61.6 million, as the sector contended with severe cost pressures. Soaring prices for fibrous raw materials, natural gas, energy, and transport led to widespread production suspensions and a 14% drop in paper and board output that year, weakening domestic industrial activity.

A slight recovery to $63.2 million occurred in 2024, supported by a 3.8% rise in domestic consumption of recycled paper. However, competitiveness eroded as imports grew by 12.7% to meet over half of local demand, while producers faced persistently high energy costs and a new environmental fee of €65 per ton for paper introduced in April.

Production filter paper and paperboard in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, Italy's output of filter paper and paperboard was valued at 162.6 million US dollars, remaining essentially unchanged from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2019, production grew by 25.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 8.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2019, Italy produced 38 882 tonnes of filter paper and paperboard, showing little change compared to 2018. Over the two-year span from 2017 to 2019, production increased by 27.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.6%.

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

Exports filter paper and paperboard from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's exports of filter paper and paperboard declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports stood at 34 001 tonnes, reflecting a moderate decrease of 9.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 6.4%, averaging an annual decline of 2.2%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 38 368 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Czechia, and the United Kingdom were notable but not dominant buyers of filter paper and paperboard from Italy. Germany accounted for 25.3% of exports in kind, Czechia for 13.3%, and the United Kingdom for 9.9%, with their combined share reaching 48.5% of total exports.

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 shipments of filter paper and paperboard abroad decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 124.8 million US dollars, down 7.9% year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 3%, with an annualized rate of -1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 144.5 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 12.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's buyer portfolio for filter paper and paperboard was diverse. Germany contributed 22.8% of exports in value terms, Czechia 13.3%, and the United Kingdom 9.9%, together making up 46.1% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but still significant shares.

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

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

Imports filter paper and paperboard to Italy

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed an unstable trend over the period. In 2020, Italy imported 4 042 tonnes of filter paper and paperboard, a sharp increase of 71.6% compared to 2019. The lowest point was in 2018 at 1 954 tonnes, which saw the largest annual decline of 26.2%. Overall, imports peaked in 2020 and hit their trough in 2018, with a 2.1-fold difference between these years.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany, Czechia, and the United Kingdom were the leading sources for Italy's imports of filter paper and paperboard in kind. Germany supplied 29.7%, Czechia 18.6%, and the United Kingdom 14.6%, together accounting for 62.9% 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

Italy's imports of filter paper and paperboard increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 17.8 million US dollars, marking a significant rise of 17.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 13.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 12.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest annual decline of 17.5%, while 2019 recorded the largest increase of 17.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France were the main suppliers of filter paper and paperboard to Italy in value terms. Germany accounted for 29.7% of imports, the United Kingdom for 19.0%, and France for 12.7%, jointly representing 61.3% of total imports.

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

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