Hard rubber and articles of hard rubber market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The market for hard rubber and articles of hard rubber in Italy stood at $35.3 million in 2018. The revival of waste management policies focusing on resource circularity, influenced by the Decree Ronchi and new European circular economy targets, laid the groundwork for growth in rubber recycling markets. By 2019, the market size had increased to $41.8 million, stabilizing at $41.3 million in 2020.

A sharp expansion occurred in 2021, with the market surging 44% to $59.7 million. However, a contraction followed over the next two years, falling to $49.1 million in 2022 and $39.5 million in 2023. During this period of market decline, Italy continued to advance its separate waste collection, which reached 66.6% by 2023, and saw rising demand for synthetic rubber with improved properties, particularly for automotive and industrial applications driven by electric vehicle growth.

The market recovered strongly in 2024, growing 43% to $56.6 million. This rebound coincided with the adoption of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which restricts single-use packaging and sets waste reduction targets, stimulating investment in recycling. Furthermore, capital expenditure in synthetic rubber and sustainable product manufacturing increased by 18%, while rising cost pressure on rubber raw materials, with announced price hikes from April 2024, impacted market value.

Production hard rubber and articles of hard rubber in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Italy's production of hard rubber and articles of hard rubber declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 39 702 thousand US dollars, marking a modest decrease of 4.2% compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2018, when production surged by 40.8% to reach its peak value of 62 911 thousand US dollars. However, the following year saw the steepest decline, with a drop of 34.1% in 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 11.1%, averaging an annual decline of 3.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Italy's production volume of hard rubber and articles of hard rubber fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output amounted to 2 051 tonnes, down 6.2% from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018, with a significant increase of 55.9% to 3 663 tonnes. The sharpest decline followed in 2019, when production plummeted by 40.3%. Over the 2017-2020 period, total production decreased by 12.7%, translating to an average annual decline of 4.4%.

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

Exports hard rubber and articles of hard rubber from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's exports of hard rubber and articles of hard rubber declined for the third year running. In 2020, exports totaled 610 tonnes, a sharp drop of 64.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 81.7%, with an average annual decline of 43.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, Germany, and Spain were the top destinations for Italy's exports of hard rubber and articles of hard rubber by volume. India accounted for 36.0% of exports, Germany for 24.4%, and Spain for 4.5%. Together, these three countries represented 64.8% of 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, K $ US

Italy's exports of hard rubber and articles of hard rubber in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 365 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 41.4% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 94.8%, with an average annual decline of 62.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Austria were consistently the main destinations for Italy's exports of hard rubber and articles of hard rubber by value. Germany accounted for 34.5% of exports, France for 11.3%, and Austria for 7.0%. Collectively, these three countries made up 52.9% of total export 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 hard rubber and articles of hard rubber to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of hard rubber and articles of hard rubber declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 279 tonnes, a significant drop of 30.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 38.9%, with an average annual decline of 15.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Romania, and Spain were the primary sources for Italy's imports of hard rubber and articles of hard rubber by volume. Together, these three markets accounted for 84.7% 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

Italy's imports of hard rubber and articles of hard rubber in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 4 990 thousand US dollars, down 17.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 46.9%, averaging an annual decline of 19.0%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Romania, Germany, and Spain consistently led as the top sources for Italy's imports of hard rubber and articles of hard rubber by value. Romania accounted for 57.3% of imports, Germany for 14.6%, and Spain for 11.0%. Together, these three countries represented 82.8% 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