Urea and thiourea resins market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for urea and thiourea resins in primary forms showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2024. Market volume peaked at 448 thousand tons in 2018, then declined steadily to 290 thousand tons in 2020. A recovery to 367 thousand tons followed in 2021, but another downturn occurred over the next two years, with the market shrinking to 268 thousand tons in 2023. The period concluded with a strong rebound in 2024, reaching 341 thousand tons.

The market contraction in 2023, a drop of 19.5%, was driven by geopolitical disruptions. Sanctions on Russia and the war in Ukraine created instability in raw material supply chains and price volatility, directly constraining production. In contrast, 2024 saw a 27% growth in market volume. This recovery was fueled by rising demand for urea-formaldehyde resins from the construction sector and increased use of technical urea in automotive selective catalytic reduction systems, supported by stricter Euro VI emission standards.

Production urea and thiourea resins in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of urea and thiourea resins declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 110.9 million US dollars, marking a sharp year-on-year decrease of 26.7%. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 45%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 18.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy's production of urea and thiourea resins declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 254.6 thousand tonnes, representing a 19.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 43.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -17.2%.

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

Exports urea and thiourea resins from Italy

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Italy's cross-border shipments of urea and thiourea resins increased in 2020. Exports totaled 15 593 tonnes, up 5.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 34.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 13.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 14 768 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 27.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for Italy's exports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Germany accounted for 18.1% of exports, Slovenia for 7.1%, and France for 6.7%, together representing 31.9% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 68.1%.

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

After two years of decline, Italy's exports of urea and thiourea resins increased in 2020. Exports totaled 19 371 thousand US dollars, rising 3.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 21.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 18 809 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 14.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Spain, and France were the largest but not dominant buyers of urea and thiourea resins from Italy in value terms. Germany accounted for 18.4% of exports, Spain for 6.9%, and France for 6.2%, together making up 31.5% of total exports. This occurred against a broad background of smaller partners.

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

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

Imports urea and thiourea resins to Italy

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy's imports of urea and thiourea resins amounted to 50 609 tonnes, a 3.5% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 18.7%, equating to an annualized increase of 5.9%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 52 455 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 23.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Austria continued to lead as the main sources for Italy's imports in kind, together accounting for 80.3% of total flows. Other partners played a supplementary role.

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

In 2020, Italy imported 26 493 thousand US dollars worth of urea and thiourea resins, up 0.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 29 447 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 22.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Sweden were the main suppliers of urea and thiourea resins to Italy in value terms. Germany accounted for 63.2% of imports, Austria for 12.6%, and Sweden for 5.3%, together comprising 81.2% of total imports.

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

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