Plastic bottles and similar articles market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market for plastic bottles and similar articles in Italy reached USD 1 795 million, supported by steady demand for traditional plastic packaging, particularly for food products. The following year, the entry into force of the EU Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive imposed restrictions on single-use plastic items, which contributed to a contraction of the market to USD 1 504 million. The COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 initially disrupted production, but a rebound in manufacturing activity and increased demand for plastic containers for pharmaceuticals and detergents helped lift the market value to USD 1 681 million.

From 2021 onward, regulatory pressures intensified. Rising prices for virgin PET and HDPE raw materials, coupled with the Italian legislative decree implementing the SUP Directive's requirement for tethered caps on containers up to 3 liters from July 2024, increased industry costs and coincided with a market decline to USD 1 489 million. The full activation of the SUP rules in Italy from January 2022, mandating biodegradable content, and the early launch of tethered cap programs by major brands like Coca-Cola further affected the market, which fell to USD 1 359 million. By 2023, the industry adapted: the gradual adoption of tethered caps and preparatory testing for a 25% recycled PET (rPET) content requirement spurred investments in production line upgrades, helping the market recover to USD 1 589 million. In 2024, the mandatory introduction of tethered caps in July and preparations for the 25% rPET mandate effective from 2025 required producers to reconfigure lines and bear additional costs, leading to a slight market adjustment to USD 1 541 million.

Production plastic bottles and similar articles in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Italy, the production value of plastic bottles and similar articles reached $1,640 million in 2020, marking a significant 14.4% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 2.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 0.7%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2019 at $1,433 million, while the peak occurred in 2018 with $1,719 million. The most substantial drop in production was observed in 2019, when it fell by 16.6%.

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

Exports plastic bottles and similar articles from Italy

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy exported 46,377 tonnes of plastic bottles and similar articles, showing a steady 8.0% rise from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 12.6%, averaging an annual increase of 4.0%. The largest decline in export volumes occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports of plastic bottles and similar articles were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. France accounted for 21.3% of the export volume, Spain for 13.8%, and Poland for 9.9%. Together, these three countries represented 45.0% of the total export flows, highlighting the broad geographical spread of Italy's export markets.

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 exports of plastic bottles and similar articles in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export value reached $245.8 million, reflecting a gradual 4.5% improvement over the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 21.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Spain, and Germany were among the top buyers of plastic bottles and similar articles from Italy in value terms. France led with 26.6% of total export value, followed by Spain at 10.9% and Germany at 8.9%. However, even combined, these three countries accounted for just 46.4% of Italy's total export value, indicating a highly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports plastic bottles and similar articles to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy imported 66,967 tonnes of plastic bottles and similar articles in 2020, representing a solid 15.4% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 22.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.1%. The most significant decline in import volumes was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 6.2%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, France, Switzerland, and Germany were the key sources for Italy's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles in volume terms. Together, these three markets accounted for 60.5% of total import flows, underscoring their central role in Italy's supply chain.

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 plastic bottles and similar articles in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled $286.7 million, down 6.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 4.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.5%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at $310.3 million, which also saw the largest annual increase of 13.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Switzerland, and China were the primary sources for Italy's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles in value terms. France contributed 18.8% of the total import value, Switzerland 18.2%, and China 13.2%. Collectively, these three countries made up 50.3% of Italy's total import value, solidifying their position as the main suppliers.

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

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