Supported Ni catalysts market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2019 to 2020, the Italian supported nickel catalysts market contracted in volume to 3 541 t but grew in value to 390.6 million US dollars. This increase in market value occurred alongside volatility in nickel prices due to global trade wars and economic slowdown, as well as rising global nickel demand driven by the energy sector and the shift toward electric vehicles.

By 2023, the market volume had fallen to 2 912 t, with value declining to 308.8 million US dollars. This period coincided with a reported contraction in the relative competitiveness of Italian industry over 2018-2022, while protectionist trade policies and international tensions affected key downstream sectors like automotive. Simultaneously, a significant increase in nickel production from Indonesia, up 48% in 2022, expanded global supply, and investments in critical minerals like nickel rose by 20%, influencing the supply chain for catalyst producers.

In 2024, the market rebounded sharply to 4 356 t and 377.6 million US dollars. This recovery was supported by sustained global demand for nickel from the energy transition, alongside the implementation of new regulatory frameworks such as the Decreto Legislativo 135/2024 on worker protection from nickel compounds and the EU Regulation 2024/1987 setting new maximum nickel levels in foodstuffs. The activities of the state-involved ORIM plant in Macerata for recycling strategic metals and the continued commercial expansion of major alloy producer Gruppo Cogne further contributed to the market landscape.

Production supported Ni catalysts in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's output of supported nickel catalysts was valued at 382.0 million US dollars, marking a 7.0% increase compared to the previous year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Italy produced 3 353 tonnes of supported nickel catalysts in 2020, representing a moderate year-over-year decrease of 6.3%.

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

Exports supported Ni catalysts from Italy

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Italy's exports of supported nickel catalysts were recorded at 362.6 tonnes, showing a substantial increase of 67.2% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 27.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 175.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Germany together accounted for 88.4% of Italy's total exports by volume, with the remaining flows distributed thinly across other markets.

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, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values declined to their lowest level in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 9.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Italy's exports of supported nickel catalysts amounted to 1 983 thousand US dollars, up by 211.9% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 36.9%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 360.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (45.1% of export value), Austria (23.5% of export value), and Germany (12.6% of export value) emerged as the primary markets for Italy's exports by value, together representing 81.2% 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 supported Ni catalysts to Italy

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy's imports of supported nickel catalysts amounted to 550.5 tonnes, reflecting a sharp increase of 29.0% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 19.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.0%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 426.7 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 815.7 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 47.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Germany (48.2% of import volume), France (19.4% of import volume), and Denmark (15.0% of import volume) formed the core sources for Italy's imports by volume, together accounting for 82.7% 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, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend during this timeframe. Import values reached their minimum in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.4-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Italy's imports of foreign supported nickel catalysts amounted to 10 555 thousand US dollars, representing a 64.2% increase year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 6 428 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 15 374 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 58.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018, at 76.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (34.5% of import value), France (20.4% of import value), and the United States (13.3% of import value) constituted the main group of sources for Italy's imports of supported nickel catalysts by value, with a combined share of 68.2% 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