Iron or steel containers with capacity ≤300 l market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for iron or steel containers under 300 liters expanded from $697 million in 2018 to $1,085 million in 2020. This growth was initially supported by state regulations in 2018 that broadened the permitted use of mobile tanks up to 9 cubic meters for a wider range of activities beyond agriculture and transport. The following year, the market's evolution was further driven by the emergence of new fuel types like biofuels, low-sulfur fuels, hydrogen, and ammonia, which required more sophisticated materials, coatings, and inspection protocols for storage containers.

After 2020, the market showed some volatility. In 2021, steel consumption in Italy rebounded by 12% following the pandemic, supporting production activity for steel containers, though the total market size edged down slightly to $1,075 million. Subsequent regulatory tightening for fixed agricultural diesel tanks in 2022, which increased containment basin capacity from 50% to 110% for better emergency protection, influenced market specifications. By 2023, despite a modest overall market size of $996 million, the exponential growth of the hydrogen storage tank segment, fueled by rising demand for clean energy, began stimulating new demand within the industry.

The market recovered to $1,209 million in 2024. Technological innovations and ongoing environmental regulations continued to drive demand for steel containers with enhanced safety, efficiency, and sustainability features, shaping the market's upward trajectory.

Production iron or steel containers with capacity ≤300 l in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of iron or steel containers with a capacity of 300 liters or less increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 1 455 million US dollars, representing a 27.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2018 at 1 064 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 23.0%.

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

Exports iron or steel containers with capacity ≤300 l from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy's exports of iron or steel containers with a capacity of 300 liters or less totaled 132.4 thousand tons, marking a 1.6% increase from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 135.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 3.8%. In 2019, exports experienced the largest decline of 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's export structure for these containers in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. France accounted for 22.2% of exports in kind, Belgium for 10.6%, and Germany for 9.8%, together representing 42.5% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 57.5%.

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

Italy's export value of iron or steel containers with a capacity of 300 liters or less declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 420.2 million US dollars, a slight decrease of 1.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 4.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.5%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 428.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy supplied these containers to a broad set of markets in value terms. France accounted for 22.4% of exports, Belgium for 9.5%, and Germany for 9.0%, together representing only 40.9% of total exports. Many smaller destinations formed the remaining 59.1%.

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

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

Imports iron or steel containers with capacity ≤300 l to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, Italy's import volume of iron or steel containers with a capacity of 300 liters or less declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 17.1 thousand tons, a robust drop of 14.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 20.1 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 6.1% in 2018.

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

The structure of Italy's imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 points to a diversified set of partners. Germany accounted for 25.6% of imports in kind, Austria for 10.3%, and China for 10.0%, together representing only 45.9% of total flows. The remaining 54.1% was dispersed among numerous smaller markets.

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's import value of iron or steel containers with a capacity of 300 liters or less reached 50.2 million US dollars, corresponding to a significant decrease of 22.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 18%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.4%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 65.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Italy's imports in value terms of these containers were Germany, accounting for 25.1% of imports, China for 19.2%, and France for 6.3%. Together, they represented 50.6% 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