Oxidation inhibitors, viscosity improvers, anti-corrosives market in Italy, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for oxidation inhibitors, viscosity improvers, and anti-corrosives in Italy, measured in physical volume, showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2024. Starting at 172 thousand tons, consumption surged to a peak of 216 thousand tons in 2019, primarily due to a dramatic spike in imports. This was followed by a contraction to around 163 thousand tons in both 2020 and 2021. The market then expanded again to 192 thousand tons in 2022 before entering a downward trend, falling to 156 thousand tons in 2023 and 133 thousand tons by 2024.

The market's trajectory was heavily influenced by fluctuations in trade flows. The 2019 peak was entirely driven by imports, which jumped to 60 thousand tons. The subsequent drop in 2020 coincided with imports collapsing to just 8 thousand tons. The recovery in 2022 was led by domestic production, which reached its highest point of the period at 186 thousand tons, offsetting still-modest import levels. The final years saw production decline sharply, pulling the total market volume down with it.

In value terms, the market exhibited a different pattern, with less severe swings. The market value decreased from $536 million in 2018 to a low of $483 million in 2020, before gradually recovering to $519 million by 2024. This suggests changes in product mix or pricing dynamics, as the physical volume decline in later years was not fully mirrored in the market's monetary size.

Production oxidation inhibitors, viscosity improvers, anti-corrosives in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Production of oxidation inhibitors, viscosity improvers, and anti-corrosives in Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 476.1 million US dollars, marking a slight year-over-year decrease of 2.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 17.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 5.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 512.4 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.0% drop. The most significant increase was seen in 2018, with a 26.5% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Italy produced 159.9 thousand tonnes of oxidation inhibitors, viscosity improvers, and anti-corrosives, reflecting a slight contraction of 2.4% compared to 2019. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 155.4 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 163.9 thousand tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 5.5% growth.

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

Exports oxidation inhibitors, viscosity improvers, anti-corrosives from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy exported 5 099 tonnes of oxidation inhibitors, viscosity improvers, and anti-corrosives in 2020, marking a dramatic year-over-year decline of 35.5%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 40.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -15.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a 4.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Iran were key buyers of oxidation inhibitors, viscosity improvers, and anti-corrosives from Italy, accounting for 13.7%, 8.8%, and 7.6% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 30.1% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 69.9% distributed among numerous other partners.

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, K $ US

In 2020, Italy's exports of oxidation inhibitors, viscosity improvers, and anti-corrosives in value terms stood at 19 158 thousand US dollars, indicating a decrease of 51.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 34.5%, equating to an annualized rate of -13.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 39 634 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 48.4% rise.

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

An analysis of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. France, Romania, and Germany accounted for 14.8%, 14.4%, and 9.0% of exports in value terms, respectively, but together they represented only 38.2% of total flows. A significant 61.8% of exports went to other 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 oxidation inhibitors, viscosity improvers, anti-corrosives to Italy

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 7.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Italy's import volume of oxidation inhibitors, viscosity improvers, and anti-corrosives totalled 8 076 tonnes, marking a steep year-over-year decline of 86.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 60 283 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 147.3% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom were the principal suppliers of oxidation inhibitors, viscosity improvers, and anti-corrosives to Italy, accounting for 31.2%, 21.8%, and 18.4% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 71.3% of total imports in kind.

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, K $ US

After a two-year increase, Italy's imports of oxidation inhibitors, viscosity improvers, and anti-corrosives declined. In 2020, imports were approximately 26 411 thousand US dollars, indicating a 65.6% decrease relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 21.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 76 755 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 53.7% rise.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom formed the core group of markets for imports in value terms, accounting for 32.9%, 20.5%, and 15.0% of imports in value terms, respectively. Together, they represented 68.4% 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