Nonwovens market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2024, the Italian nonwovens market volume showed significant growth, rising from 215.2 thousand tons to 325.7 thousand tons despite some yearly fluctuations. A key driver was the increasing consumer demand for sustainable and ethically produced textile goods, which boosted the market in 2022 and supported later recovery. This shift in preferences aligned with the European Union's strategy for sustainable and circular textiles, encouraging innovation and the adoption of eco-friendly materials within the nonwovens sector.

Regulatory changes substantially shaped the market environment. The introduction of extended producer responsibility for textiles in 2020 and the mandatory separate collection of textile waste from January 2022 incentivized manufacturers to invest in circular production models and recycling technologies. Furthermore, new EU and national labeling rules, such as those defining terms like 'leather' and requiring transparency on animal-derived components, increased compliance costs but also fostered greater consumer trust and market differentiation for compliant products.

Global supply chain pressures from geopolitical tensions and energy crises affected raw material costs and competitiveness in 2022 and 2024. The industry responded by focusing on technological innovation and supply chain resilience, supported by Italian industrial policies. Investments in digital product passports and environmental labeling, as part of broader EU circular economy frameworks, continued to influence production strategies and market dynamics throughout the period.

Production nonwovens in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's nonwovens production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 1 694 million US dollars, marking a solid 15.7% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 425 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 19.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy's nonwovens production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 473.2 thousand tonnes were produced, remaining virtually unchanged from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 394.4 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 32.0%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest increase of 19.6%.

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

Exports nonwovens from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's nonwovens exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 292.6 thousand tonnes, marking a gradual uptick of 4.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 3.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 276.8 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 1.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's export structure in volume terms remained highly diversified. Germany accounted for 15.5% of exports, France for 9.9%, and Poland for 6.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 32.2% of total flows, while a long tail of smaller markets formed the remaining 67.8%.

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 nonwovens exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume was recorded at 1 230 million US dollars, representing a slight decline of 1.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 2.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 289 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 7.3%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the largest decline of 2.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Czechia were the largest but not dominant buyers of Italian nonwovens in value terms. Germany accounted for 18.5% of exports, France for 8.2%, and Czechia for 5.8%. Together, these three countries represented 32.5% of total exports, against a broad background of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports nonwovens to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year contraction, Italy's nonwovens imports increased. In 2020, Italy imported 117.0 thousand tonnes of nonwovens, which is 21.6% greater than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 19.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.1%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 96.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, China, and Turkey made the biggest contribution to Italy's imports in volume terms. Germany accounted for 21.3% of imports, China for 15.4%, and Turkey for 13.8%. Jointly, these three countries accounted for 50.5% 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, M $ US

Italy imported approximately 613 million US dollars of nonwovens in 2020, equivalent to a sharp increase of 29.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 38.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 3.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's imports in value terms were distributed across a wide set of partner countries. Germany accounted for 21.3% of imports, China for 18.0%, and Japan for 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented just 49.5% 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