Flexible plastic tubes, pipes and hoses market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Following the adoption of the European Strategy on Plastics in a Circular Economy in 2018, which set recycling targets and reduced single-use packaging, the Italian market for flexible plastic tubes began to transform. From 2020 to 2022, market size surged from $431 million to $743 million, aided by a 3.6% growth in the flexible plastic packaging segment that heightened demand for tubes and hoses.

The market contracted to $581 million in 2023 before jumping to $865 million in 2024. This rebound coincided with increased production of recycled plastic raw materials (+3.2%), improving supply for pipe manufacturers, and the launch of new flexible electrical conduits with eco-friendly and fire-resistant features. These product innovations responded to stricter regulations and demand from construction and telecommunications, while new EU packaging rules and investments in advanced recycling further supported market expansion.

Production flexible plastic tubes and hoses in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Exports flexible plastic tubes and hoses from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's exports of flexible plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the export volume reached 164.2 thousand tons, representing a 12.6% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 24.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports of flexible plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses in volume terms were distributed across numerous countries. The top three destinations—Germany (18.3% of exports), France (14.5%), and Switzerland (5.4%)—together accounted for just 38.2% of the total export flows.

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, the value of flexible plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses exported from Italy stood at 705.3 million US dollars, marking a 10.1% increase over the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 22.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 3.9%, while the highest increase was in 2018, at 15.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's exports of flexible plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses in value terms were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Germany (18.5% of exports), France (12.8%), and Switzerland (4.9%) collectively represented only 36.2% of the 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 flexible plastic tubes and hoses to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of flexible plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses in volume terms have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 30.6 thousand tons, down 5.1% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, import volume decreased by 9.8%, with an average annual decline of 3.4%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Italy's imports of flexible plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses in volume terms were not heavily concentrated among a few key sources. Germany (33.1% of imports), France (9.9%), and Spain (7.0%) together accounted for just 49.9% of the 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 flexible plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses worth 227.4 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate increase of 3.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 4.8%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 235.3 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 6.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's imports of flexible plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses in value terms were distributed across many countries. Germany (35.8% of imports), France (7.0%), and Poland (6.9%) jointly made up only 49.7% of the total import value.

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

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