Industrial fatty alcohols market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for industrial fatty alcohols, in volume terms, contracted from 151 721 t in 2018 to 110 236 t in 2024. Domestic production fell sharply over the period, from 84 586 t to 40 107 t, while imports remained the primary supply source, fluctuating between 61 366 t and 70 129 t.

In value terms, the market reached $356.7 million in 2022 before declining to $233.3 million in 2024. The peak in 2022 was driven by higher import values, indicating shifts in prices or product composition.

Key regulatory changes emerged in 2024, including a simplification of rules for selling alcoholic products which directly affected industrial alcohol labeling requirements. The mandatory electronic reporting for alcohol products was postponed from October 2024 to November 2025, altering registration and traceability procedures. A confirmed reduction in excise duties on craft beer, initially introduced in 2022 and 2023, also affected cost structures within the fatty alcohol production chain.

Production industrial fatty alcohols in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2-fold difference between these years. In 2019, Italy's industrial fatty alcohols output was valued at 137.7 million US dollars, representing a 17.1% decrease from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 166.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 99.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2019, Italy produced 76 948 tons of industrial fatty alcohols, marking a 9.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2019 period, production grew by 47.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.9%. The highest production volume was achieved in 2018 at 84 586 tons, which also experienced the largest increase of 62.2%.

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

Exports industrial fatty alcohols from Italy

Based on desk research, Italy did not export industrial fatty alcohols between 2017 and 2020.

Imports industrial fatty alcohols to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of foreign industrial fatty alcohols declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 61 366 tons, representing a 3.5% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 18.2%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and the Netherlands consistently served as Italy's primary import partners in volume terms, together accounting for 82.2% of total imports, with other countries making up the remainder.

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 industrial fatty alcohols declined for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports amounted to 99.3 million US dollars, down 6.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 35.7%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 13.7%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Germany and the Netherlands remained Italy's key import sources in value terms, jointly accounting for 83.3% of total import value, while other partners contributed much smaller individual shares.

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

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