Plasticised PVC compounds market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for plasticised PVC compounds showed marked volatility in both volume and value from 2018 to 2024. Market size in physical terms fluctuated between 86.8 thousand tons in 2021 and a peak of 146.9 thousand tons in 2024, while in monetary terms it more than doubled from $149.8 million to $284.4 million over the same period, indicating significant price or product mix effects alongside changing demand.

Production volumes followed a similar volatile trajectory, declining notably in 2023 before a strong recovery in 2024. Concurrently, import volumes generally rose, especially in 2022 and 2023, while export volumes trended downward after 2021, which contributed to the expansion of domestic market availability in the latter part of the period.

A key feature was the disparity between volume and value growth, particularly evident in 2022 when the market value reached $277.2 million against a volume of 115.9 thousand tons. This suggests that unit values increased substantially, likely reflecting cost pressures or a shift toward higher-value compound types within the market.

Production plasticised PVC compounds in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's output of plasticised PVC compounds was valued at 272.5 million US dollars, marking an 8.2% decline compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 31.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.8%. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, at 26.3%, while the only increase was recorded in 2019, at 1.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Italy produced 177.6 thousand tonnes of plasticised PVC compounds, which is 12.5% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 42.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -16.8%. The most significant decline was in 2018, at 39.0%, whereas 2019 saw an increase of 7.8%.

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

Exports plasticised PVC compounds from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, the volume of plasticised PVC compounds exported from Italy increased in 2020. Exports reached 101.7 thousand tonnes, up 1.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 9.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -3.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 100.4 thousand tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy traded plasticised PVC compounds with numerous countries. Even the top destinations—Poland, Germany, and Slovakia—collectively accounted for only 35.5% of total exports in volume terms.

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

The value of plasticised PVC compounds exported from Italy declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. Exports amounted to 154.3 million US dollars, down 3.1% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 12.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.2%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of trading partners. Germany (13.7% of exports), Poland (12.6%), and Slovakia (10.2%) together represented only 36.5% of total flows, while the remaining 63.5% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports plasticised PVC compounds to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, the volume of plasticised PVC compounds imported into Italy declined in 2020. Imports totaled 23.2 thousand tonnes, a 2.9% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 33.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.0%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 23.9 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 19.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Czechia (35.3% of imports in volume), France (18.7%), and the United Kingdom (17.1%) formed the core of Italy's imports, together accounting for 71.1% 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

The value of plasticised PVC compounds imported into Italy declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports amounted to 30.3 million US dollars, down 5.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 32.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 19.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (27.5% of imports in value), France (26.7%), and Czechia (20.6%) continued to lead as the main suppliers of plasticised PVC compounds to Italy, jointly accounting for 74.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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