Lubricating oil additives market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Italian lubricating oil additives market was shaped by European regulatory standards such as ACEA specifications and EURO emission norms, which pushed oil formulations toward lower pollution. Concurrently, growing interest in synthetic and semi-synthetic oils provided underlying support. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered global supply chain disruptions, hampering the availability of base oils and additives, while rising raw material prices contributed to market volume stabilization around USD 610 million.

After declining to USD 533 million in 2021, the market rebounded to USD 608 million in 2022, driven largely by the adoption of nanotechnology in additives to enhance wear resistance and thermal stability, alongside growth in specialty and premium lubricant segments aligned with new standards like API SQ 2025. However, in 2023, the market volume contracted again to USD 528 million amid ongoing global expansion of additive production capacity and increased collaboration between lubricant manufacturers and OEMs.

In 2024, the market surged 47% to USD 778 million. This leap was fueled by the launch of new synthetic oils with improved properties from major companies such as ExxonMobil, available in Italy, coupled with regulatory updates requiring stricter compliance and rising demand for biodegradable and plant-based lubricants.

Production lubricating oil additives in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Italy, the output of lubricating oil additives was valued at 1 156 million US dollars in 2020, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019 on a year-over-year basis. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 37%, which translates to an annualized rate of 14.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 37.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 0.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy's lubricating oil additives production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 350.0 thousand tonnes, up by 1.7% from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall production decreased by 34%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 341.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 35.6%.

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

Exports lubricating oil additives from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy exported 278.0 thousand tonnes of lubricating oil additives in 2020, marking a 9.3% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 306.6 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for lubricating oil additives in kind was diverse. France accounted for 11.5% of exports, Belgium for 10.0%, and Germany for 9.7%, together making up just 31.2% of total flows. The remaining 68.8% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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 a two-year rise, Italy's lubricating oil additives export volume declined. In 2020, exports stood at 933 million US dollars, showing a gradual decrease of 7.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 5.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 007 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 1.7%.

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

During 2017–2020, the partner landscape for exports in value terms was broad. France contributed 12.3% of exports, Belgium 11.1%, and Germany 10.6%, together forming only 34.0% of total flows. A substantial 66.0% was supplied to or from many other countries.

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

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

Imports lubricating oil additives to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, lubricating oil additives volumes imported by Italy declined. In 2020, Italy imported 144.5 thousand tonnes, constituting a strong decrease of 12.5% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 165.2 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 6.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, France concentrated 74.0% of total imports in kind, with the rest of the volume shared by many countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

Imported lubricating oil additives volumes in Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 386 million US dollars, indicating a drop of 16.1% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 471 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was the main supplier of lubricating oil additives to Italy, accounting for 69.8% of imports in value terms. The United States contributed 8.0%, and Germany 5.9%, together comprising 83.7% 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