Plastic closures market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for plastic closures experienced considerable fluctuations from 2018 to 2024, largely driven by regulatory shifts. The European directive mandating attached caps for bottles, initially resisted by industry in 2018 and fully implemented by July 2024, required manufacturers to redesign products, influencing market volumes. Starting from 233.5 thousand tonnes in 2018, the market surged to 304.9 thousand tonnes in 2019 before contracting to 205.9 thousand tonnes in 2020.

Demand from the food packaging sector, which accounts for a major share of plastic packaging, supported market recovery in 2021, with volume rising to 213.2 thousand tonnes. In 2022, when the national regulation on attached caps came into force, the market grew to 249.0 thousand tonnes as demand for new closure types increased. Concurrently, Italian machinery producers invested in advanced technologies to offer customized solutions for cap production.

After peaking at 325.3 thousand tonnes in 2023, the market adjusted to 241.0 thousand tonnes in 2024, coinciding with the full attachment mandate and international partnerships aimed at developing more sustainable PET closures.

Production plastic closures in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's plastic closures production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 887 million US dollars, down 9.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 28.5%, with an annual growth rate of 8.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 032 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 49.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of growth, Italy's plastic closures production declined. In 2020, 219.4 thousand tonnes were produced, representing a 31.4% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 37.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 320.0 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 53.5%.

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

Exports plastic closures from Italy

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy's plastic closures exports amounted to 74 257 tonnes, up 3.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 4.1%, with an annual growth rate of 1.3%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 75 231 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 5.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's plastic closures exports were distributed across a wide range of markets. France accounted for 18.8% of exports in volume, Spain for 11.9%, and Germany for 9.2%, together making up 39.9% of total exports. The remaining 60.1% went to numerous smaller destinations.

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 plastic closures exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 501.0 million US dollars, down 0.8% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 5.8%, with an annual growth rate of 1.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 543.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 7.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Italy's plastic closures exports in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. France accounted for 18.9% of exports in value, Spain for 9.7%, and Germany for 8.4%, together representing 37.0% of total 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 plastic closures to Italy

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy's plastic closures imports reached 60 759 tonnes, up 6.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.5%, with an annual growth rate of 2.7%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 64 214 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 14.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 11.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Spain were the main sources of Italy's plastic closures imports in volume. France accounted for 24.2% of imports, Germany for 22.4%, and Spain for 9.6%, together making up 56.3% 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's plastic closures imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 321.6 million US dollars, down 4.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 13.6%, with an annual growth rate of 4.3%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 336.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 19.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, Germany, and Belgium were the primary sources of Italy's plastic closures imports in value terms. France accounted for 25.2% of imports, Germany for 22.1%, and Belgium for 8.7%, together representing 56.0% 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