Fuel and oil additives market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, tightening environmental regulations aimed at improving fuel economy and emission control spurred innovation in lubricant additive technology in Italy. Manufacturers integrated friction modifiers and corrosion inhibitors into their formulations to meet compliance, supporting demand. This trend continued in 2019 with increased use of synthetic and semi‑synthetic oils equipped with advanced additives for better viscosity and oxidation resistance, driving the market volume up to 419.3 thousand tonnes. However, in 2020 the global COVID‑19 pandemic negatively affected demand, leading to a decline in market size to 381.4 thousand tonnes.

In the following years, interest in additives compatible with low‑viscosity oils and high‑stress engines persisted, while the emergence of NSF HX‑1 certified products for incidental food contact created a new niche. Although market volume contracted to 344.3 thousand tonnes in 2021, it recovered to 372.6 thousand tonnes in 2022, aided by rising global vehicle production and further tightening of environmental norms that pushed the adoption of corrosion inhibitors and friction modifiers.

In 2023 the Italian fuel and oil additives market expanded sharply, reaching 556.1 thousand tonnes – a 49.2% increase from the previous year. This surge was accompanied by a notable rise in domestic production to 703.5 thousand tonnes, while imports fell to 125.5 thousand tonnes.

Production fuel and oil additives in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of fuel and oil additives has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 632 million US dollars, marking a 0.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 27.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy's production volume of fuel and oil additives increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 509.8 thousand tonnes were produced, remaining relatively stable compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 25.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 497.2 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 27.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 2.2%.

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

Exports fuel and oil additives from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy's exports of fuel and oil additives totalled 283.3 thousand tonnes, a 9.9% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 9.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 314.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's fuel and oil additives were exported to a wide range of markets. Even the top destinations—France, Belgium, and Germany—collectively accounted for only 30.9% of total 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, M $ US

After two years of growth, Italy's exports of fuel and oil additives declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 953 million US dollars, reflecting a 9.0% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 5.8%, with an annualized rate of -2.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 047 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 2.0%.

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

The structure of Italy's fuel and oil additives exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. France, Belgium, and Germany accounted for 12.4%, 10.8%, and 10.5% of exports, respectively, totaling just 33.7% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant position.

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

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

Imports fuel and oil additives to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Italy's imports of fuel and oil additives declined. In 2020, imports totalled 154.9 thousand tonnes, a sharp 31.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 4.7%, with an annualized decline of 1.6%. The peak was in 2019 at 225.9 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 22.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands were the main sources for Italy's imports of fuel and oil additives in volume terms, accounting for 64.2%, 6.8%, and 5.5% of imports, respectively, and together representing 76.6% of total 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

After two years of increase, Italy's imports of fuel and oil additives declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 417 million US dollars, a significant 22.8% drop year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%. The highest value was in 2019 at 540 million US dollars, with the largest increase in 2018 at 19.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the United States were the primary sources for Italy's imports of fuel and oil additives in value terms, accounting for 63.6%, 8.8%, and 7.4% of imports, respectively, and together making up 79.8% of total flows.

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

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