Safety glass market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian safety glass market was shaped by regulatory mandates throughout the period, beginning with the introduction of UNI 7697 in 2018. This standard mandated the installation of toughened or laminated safety glass in all glazed openings less than one meter from the ground, creating a sustained source of demand. This regulatory push, coupled with a growing consumer preference for laminated glass with acoustic benefits, supported market growth to 911 million $ by 2019. The market then contracted to 879 million $ in 2020 and 851 million $ in 2021, a period where the COVID-19 pandemic caused indirect disruptions to construction and renovation activity, overshadowing the 2021 update to UNI 7697 which further clarified risk zones.

A strong recovery followed, with the market size surging to 1 166 million $ in 2022, likely fueled by pent-up demand and the ongoing enforcement of safety glazing regulations. Growth continued into 2023, reaching 1 299 million $. However, 2024 saw a significant market correction, with the value falling to 979 million $, indicating a volatile post-recovery phase.

Production safety glass in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's safety glass production was valued at 1 150 million US dollars, marking a modest decline of 7.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 24.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 18.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 0.1%.

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

Exports safety glass from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Safety glass exports from Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 174.6 thousand tons, representing a drop of 13.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 11.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 213.4 thousand tons, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Germany, France, and Spain—together absorbed 50.8% of Italy's total safety glass exports in kind.

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

Safety glass shipments from Italy to abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 515.7 million US dollars, reflecting a robust decrease of 15.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 20%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 680.2 million US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (26.1% of exports in value terms), France (15.6% of exports in value terms), and the United Kingdom (9.5% of exports in value terms) consistently remained the main destinations for Italy's exports in value terms, together accounting for 51.2% 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 safety glass to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, Italy's volume of safety glass imports declined. In 2020, imports totaled 113.6 thousand tons, indicating a decrease of 18.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 139.8 thousand tons, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 11.8%.

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

The market base for imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was wide, with China (28.4% of imports in kind), Germany (12.2% of imports in kind), and Turkey (9.0% of imports in kind) jointly accounting for just 49.6% of total flows, while the remaining 50.4% was shared by numerous other countries.

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 volume of safety glass imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 244.7 million US dollars, showing a decrease of 10.1% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 277.5 million US dollars, with the largest increase also occurring in 2018 at 12.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms were distributed across a wide set of partner countries, with China (19.6% of imports in value terms), Czechia (12.1% of imports in value terms), and Germany (11.7% of imports in value terms) jointly accounting for just 43.4% 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