Rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

European demand for PVC in pipes was rising in 2018, supporting Italian production. Initial discussions on the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive in 2019 prompted regional authorities to draft reduction policies, which temporarily dampened market demand, shrinking the market to 180 thousand tons. The EU-wide ban on single-use plastic products introduced in 2020 shifted focus toward durable plastic applications, aiding a recovery to 218 thousand tons.

The enforcement of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive in 2021, mandating minimum recycled content, spurred producers to increase the use of secondary raw materials in rigid tubes, driving market volume up sharply to 307 thousand tons. This trend continued in 2022 with the strengthening of environmental standards through the Basel Convention and national eco-labeling rules. However, the definitive closure of key polyethylene film recycling plants in 2023 constrained the supply of secondary raw materials for rigid tubes, leading to a market contraction to 271 thousand tons.

In 2024, despite high energy costs and rising prices for secondary raw materials, regulatory incentives—including a national decree on attached caps, pre-announcements of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), and the suspension of the Italian plastic tax—prompted companies to boost production using recycled plastic. Simultaneously, the collection of plastic packaging grew by 4%, enhancing material availability, which contributed to a market surge to 385 thousand tons.

Production rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of decline, Italy's production of rigid plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses rebounded in 2020. Output reached 904 million US dollars, marking a 12.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 11.3%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of -3.9%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2019 at 806 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 16.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After two years of decline, Italy's production of rigid plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses increased in 2020. The country produced 405.6 thousand tonnes, representing a modest year-over-year gain of 9.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 15.2%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 5.4%. The minimum production volume was recorded in 2019 at 370.8 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 16.0%.

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

Exports rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Italy's exports of rigid plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses declined in 2020. Export volumes amounted to 208.5 thousand tonnes, representing a controlled contraction of 4.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 217.1 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 7.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and Switzerland emerged as the primary markets for Italy's exports of rigid plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses. France accounted for 30.4% of export volumes, Germany for 12.6%, and Switzerland for 7.1%. Together, these three countries represented 50.1% of Italy's total export flows during this period.

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 rigid plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 584.9 million US dollars worth of these products, corresponding to a 3.4% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The maximum export value was recorded in 2018 at 616.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 18.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Switzerland were the largest buyers of Italy's rigid plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses in value terms. France accounted for 21.6% of export value, Germany for 13.4%, and Switzerland for 5.5%. Together, these three markets represented 40.5% of Italy's total export value, with numerous smaller partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of rigid plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import volumes stood at 20.6 thousand tonnes, representing a significant reduction of 20.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 22.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 8.2%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 27.8 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred that same year at 4.5%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Germany, Poland, and Austria dominated Italy's imports of rigid plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses in volume terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.0% of Italy's total import flows during this timeframe.

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

After two years of growth, Italy's imports of rigid plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses declined in 2020. The country imported approximately 128.8 million US dollars worth of these products, showing a substantial contraction of 23.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 4.2%. The maximum import value was recorded in 2019 at 169.2 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 11.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Poland, and Tunisia led Italy's import structure for rigid plastic tubes, pipes, and hoses in value terms. Germany accounted for 21.9% of import value, Poland for 16.3%, and Tunisia for 14.3%. Together, these three countries represented 52.5% of Italy's total import flows during this period.

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

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