Organic surfactants and washing preparations market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Italian market for organic surfactants and washing preparations experienced significant shifts. In 2018, market volume reached 2 130 thousand tons, supported by growing consumer demand for bio-surfactants and eco-friendly detergents as sustainable alternatives, alongside increased sensitivity toward biodegradable products. The following year, the market contracted sharply to 1 277 thousand tons, while industry focus shifted toward non-ionic and natural surfactants for gentler applications in cosmetics and personal care. A rebound occurred in 2020, with volume rising to 1 790 thousand tons, driven primarily by heightened demand for cleaning and disinfecting products due to the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with greater interest in bio-surfactants for professional hygiene settings.

Between 2021 and 2024, the market exhibited gradual growth amid evolving trends. In 2021, volume edged up to 1 795 thousand tons, facilitated by the entry of new players and investments in R&D for plant-based green surfactants, as well as the adoption of policies promoting ingredient transparency and limiting volatile organic compounds. The market continued to expand to 1 821 thousand tons in 2022, fueled by innovations in sustainable packaging and product personalization, alongside a sustained transition toward renewable, bio-based surfactants and rising demand for effective liquid laundry detergents. After stabilizing around 1 789 thousand tons in 2023, the market volume increased to 1 944 thousand tons in 2024.

Production organic surfactants and washing preparations in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of decline, Italy's production of organic surfactants and washing preparations has rebounded. In 2019, output reached its lowest point at 1 552 million US dollars, but then surged by 52.2% in 2020 to reach 2 362 million US dollars. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 26.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.6%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 37.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of contraction, Italy's production of organic surfactants and washing preparations has shown a recovery. In 2019, production hit a low of 2 005 thousand tonnes, but then increased by 23.9% in 2020 to 2 485 thousand tonnes. From 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 17.7%, corresponding to an average annual decrease of 6.3%. The steepest decline was recorded in 2019 at 27.9%.

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

Exports organic surfactants and washing preparations from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Italy's export volume of organic surfactants and washing preparations experienced a slight downturn. In 2019, exports peaked at 1 246 thousand tonnes, but then decreased by 3.7% in 2020 to 1 199 thousand tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 10.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 7.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's exports of organic surfactants and washing preparations in volume terms were widely distributed across destinations. France accounted for 19.9% of exports, Germany for 9.9%, and Spain for 8.9%, together making up 38.8% of total flows. The remaining 61.2% was spread 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 two years of expansion, Italy's exports of organic surfactants and washing preparations in value terms saw a modest decline. In 2019, exports reached their highest level at 1 626 million US dollars, but then fell by 1.0% in 2020 to 1 610 million US dollars. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 18.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%. The most substantial rise was recorded in 2018, at 16.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Spain were significant but not dominant buyers of Italy's organic surfactants and washing preparations in value terms. France represented 15.5% of exports, Germany 8.9%, and Spain 8.6%, collectively accounting for 33.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports organic surfactants and washing preparations to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of organic surfactants and washing preparations in volume terms declined slightly in 2020. In 2019, imports reached a high of 518 thousand tonnes, but then decreased by 2.5% in 2020 to 505 thousand tonnes. The largest increase during this period was recorded in 2019, at 1.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain were key suppliers of organic surfactants and washing preparations to Italy in volume terms. Germany accounted for 17.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 12.5%, and Spain for 12.5%, together making up 42.6% of total imports. The remaining 57.4% came from a diverse range of other 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 organic surfactants and washing preparations in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2018, imports peaked at 921 million US dollars, but then fell by 4.4% in 2019 and by another 2.5% in 2020 to 859 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France consistently led as the top suppliers of organic surfactants and washing preparations to Italy in value terms. Germany accounted for 24.2% of imports, the Netherlands for 14.5%, and France for 14.0%, jointly representing 52.8% of total import value.

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

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