Insulating glass units market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for insulating glass units underwent significant volume changes from 2018 to 2024. Market size in physical terms rose from 4.95 million m² in 2018 to a peak of 6.08 million m² in 2020, then contracted sharply to 4.06 million m² in 2022 before partially recovering to 4.83 million m² by 2024.

This trajectory was largely shaped by domestic production, which expanded to 5.80 million m² in 2019 but then fell markedly to 3.71 million m² in 2022. Imports also varied considerably, surging to 871 thousand m² in 2021, which helped offset some of the production decline in that year, while export volumes gradually decreased over the period.

In value terms, the market told a different story, reaching its highest point at $454.7 million in 2023. This suggests that average unit values increased significantly during the latter part of the period, even as physical volume remained below the earlier peak.

Production insulating glass units in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Italy, the output value of insulating glass units reached 319.0 million US dollars in 2020, marking a gradual decline of 8.6% from 2019. Production decreased by 42.2% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized rate of 16.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 291.5 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 47.2% occurring that same year. In contrast, the largest increase of 19.7% was observed in 2019.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K m²

Italy's production of insulating glass units increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 5 911 thousand square meters, showing a slight advance of 1.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 58.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.2%. The minimum output was recorded in 2018 at 4 818 thousand square meters, which also saw the largest decline of 65.9%. The largest increase of 20.4% occurred in 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

Exports insulating glass units from Italy

Exports in kind, K m²

Exports of insulating glass units from Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 207.0 thousand square meters, representing a strong decrease of 24.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 11.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 287.4 thousand square meters, which also saw the largest increase of 22.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

From 2017 to 2020, France, Switzerland, and Spain were the largest buyers of insulating glass units from Italy, accounting for 24.6%, 14.8%, and 5.7% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined contribution was limited to 45.1% of total exports in kind, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

Exports of insulating glass units from Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the export volume amounted to 22 502 thousand US dollars, representing a steep reduction of 25.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 17.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 31 252 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms were distributed across a wide set of partner countries. France, Switzerland, and the United States accounted for 19.6%, 17.8%, and 12.2% of exports in value terms, respectively, jointly representing just 49.6% of total 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 insulating glass units to Italy

Imports in kind, K m²

After a two-year advance, Italy's imports of insulating glass units declined. In 2020, import volume amounted to 375.7 thousand square meters, down by 22.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 482.0 thousand square meters, which also saw the largest increase of 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, K m²

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Spain, and Croatia were the principal sources for imports in kind, accounting for 20.0%, 18.3%, and 17.8% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 56.0% 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, K $ US

After a two-year advance, Italy's imports of insulating glass units declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 40 476 thousand US dollars, constituting a solid loss of 12.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 47.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 46 376 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase of 48.4% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Spain, and Austria continued to head the list of suppliers of insulating glass units to Italy, accounting for 34.7%, 23.7%, and 14.3% of imports in value terms, respectively. Jointly, they took 72.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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