Propylene market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, Italy's propylene trade flows experienced considerable volatility. Imports surged to a peak of 81 K t in 2021 before falling sharply to 6.3 K t by 2024. Exports also peaked at 276.8 K t in 2021, then declined to 197.1 K t in 2024.

Domestic propylene production increased from 363.8 K t in 2020 to 375.7 K t in 2021, but then contracted to 301 K t in 2022. Consequently, the physical market size shrank from 190.4 K t in 2020 to 115 K t in 2022. In value terms, the market rose from $146.4 million in 2020 to $231.4 million in 2021, then dropped to $172.7 million in 2022, reflecting shifts in both volumes and prices.

During this period, Italy implemented several market and competition laws, including the 2021 Annual Law for the Market and Competition and the 2022 legislative decree on transparency and local planning. These regulatory changes aimed to strengthen competition and administrative oversight, potentially influencing the industrial operating environment and logistics for chemical sectors like propylene.

Production propylene in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Exports propylene from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's propylene exports declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 211.7 K t of propylene, which was 5.5% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 27.5%, representing an average annual decline of 10.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Greece were consistently the main destinations for Italy's propylene exports in volume terms. France accounted for 47.6% of exports, the Netherlands for 13.1%, and Greece for 12.3%, together making up 73.0% of total flows.

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 propylene exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 158.0 M $ US, down 23.0% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 36%, with an average annual rate of decline of 13.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 255.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 3.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Greece were the primary buyers of Italian propylene in value terms. France represented 46.6% of exports, the Netherlands 13.0%, and Greece 12.1%, collectively accounting for 71.7% 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 propylene to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 16.4 K t and peaked in 2019 at 52.0 K t, showing a 3.2-fold difference. In 2020, Italy's propylene import volume was 38.3 K t, a 26.3% decrease from 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 216.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Serbia, Spain, and Germany were the key partners for Italy's propylene imports in volume terms. Serbia accounted for 37.0% of imports, Spain for 24.0%, and Germany for 9.4%, together representing 70.4% 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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. Imports hit a low in 2018 at 17.0 M $ US and a high in 2019 at 50.0 M $ US, varying by a factor of 2.9. In 2020, Italy's propylene import value was 28.1 M $ US, down 43.7% from the previous year. The largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 193.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Italy's propylene imports in value terms were Serbia, Spain, and Germany. Serbia made up 35.7% of imports, Spain 23.3%, and Germany 10.1%, jointly accounting for 69.1% 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