Non-cellular plastic sheets market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-cellular plastic sheets in Italy, measured in value, rose from 366 million US dollars in 2018 to 833 million in 2020. This growth was interrupted in 2021 when the market declined to 740 million US dollars. This contraction coincided with the entry into force of Italy's Legislative Decree 196/2021, which transposed the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive. The decree banned the market placement of many single-use plastic items and introduced extended producer responsibility schemes, directly reducing demand for the affected products.

Subsequent years were defined by evolving regulatory and market pressures. In 2022, turbulent demand linked to post-lockdown recovery and preparation for the SUP directive and a planned plastic tax increased focus on recycled materials. By 2023, low prices for virgin plastic and fierce competition from cheap recycled plastic imports outside the EU pressured the European recycling sector, impacting Italian market conditions. The regulatory landscape intensified in 2024 with new EU packaging rules and specific Italian measures, such as the requirement for attached caps on plastic containers and ongoing infringement procedures for incomplete directive transposition, further steering the industry toward circular economy models amidst generally falling polymer prices.

Production non-cellular plastic sheets in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of non-cellular plastic sheets has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 676 million US dollars, marking a significant increase of 30.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 53.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 15.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy's production of non-cellular plastic sheets has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 532.8 thousand tonnes, showing a dramatic rise of 57.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 86.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 23.1%.

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

Exports non-cellular plastic sheets from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's exports of non-cellular plastic sheets have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 292.1 thousand tonnes, reflecting a moderate increase of 4.1% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 12.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's exports of non-cellular plastic sheets in volume terms were relatively evenly distributed. Germany accounted for 16.2% of exports, France for 14.6%, and Spain for 8.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 39.2% 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, M $ US

In 2020, the value of non-cellular plastic sheets exported from Italy reached 1 242 million US dollars, up by 2.0% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 16.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 1.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 16.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's export portfolio for non-cellular plastic sheets in value terms was quite broad. Germany held 17.9% of exports, France 14.2%, and Spain 6.7%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 38.9% 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 non-cellular plastic sheets to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of non-cellular plastic sheets have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 84.5 thousand tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 2.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 10.4%, with an average annual decline of 3.6%.

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

Over the period 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of Italy's imports of non-cellular plastic sheets in volume terms was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 30.0% of imports, China for 8.1%, and France for 7.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 45.6% of total import flows, with the remaining 54.4% distributed among numerous smaller partners.

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 non-cellular plastic sheets have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume stood at 398 million US dollars, down by 7.5% year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 436 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of Italy's imports of non-cellular plastic sheets in value terms was highly diversified. Germany accounted for 29.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 10.9%, and France for 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 49.4% of total import flows, with the remaining 50.6% spread across many smaller partner countries.

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

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