Vulcanised rubber articles market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for vulcanised rubber articles contracted sharply in 2020, with volume falling to 184.8 thousand metric tons from 228.9 thousand metric tons the previous year, and market value dropping to $1.2 billion.

A production rebound of 19% in 2021 drove market recovery, with volume reaching 253.7 thousand metric tons. Growth continued in 2022 to 271.4 thousand metric tons, supported by sector turnover growth of 10.7%, though profitability was squeezed by soaring raw material, energy, and logistics costs exacerbated by the Ukraine conflict. Regulatory shifts, including EU packaging rules and Italy's end-of-waste status for tyre-derived rubber, began influencing the market landscape.

In 2023, the sector anticipated a 4.5% decline due to persistent cost pressures and Plastic Tax uncertainties. By 2024, market volume rose to 286.9 thousand metric tons, valued at $1.7 billion, amid ongoing challenges from high costs and new EU product safety and packaging sustainability regulations, with Industry 4.0 incentives seen as key for support.

Production vulcanised rubber articles in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of vulcanised rubber articles declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1,860 million US dollars, marking a significant decrease of 16.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production fell by 24.9%, with an annualized decline rate of 9.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Italy produced 190.5 thousand tonnes of vulcanised rubber articles, reflecting a strong year-on-year decrease of 17.3%. Between 2018 and 2020, production decreased by 16.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 230.3 thousand tonnes, which saw a modest increase of 1.3% that year.

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

Exports vulcanised rubber articles from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy exported 67,975 tonnes of vulcanised rubber articles in 2020, marking a modest gain of 3.2% compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 65,885 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 68,803 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports of vulcanised rubber articles were distributed across a broad range of buyers. Germany accounted for 24.8% of exports in kind, France for 9.0%, and Poland for 8.6%, together contributing 42.4% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares.

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 vulcanised rubber articles declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 1,174 million US dollars, reflecting a slight fall of 2.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 3.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,282 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 13.2% that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports of vulcanised rubber articles in value terms were characterised by a broad spread across markets. Germany accounted for 35.6% of exports in value terms, France for 7.0%, and Poland for 5.0%, together representing 47.7% 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 vulcanised rubber articles to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's imports of vulcanised rubber articles declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 62,330 tonnes, down by 3.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.2%, with an annualized decline rate of 2.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 68,748 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 1.3% that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Germany, and Spain were the leading suppliers of vulcanised rubber articles to Italy. China accounted for 26.7% of imports in kind, Germany for 17.0%, and Spain for 10.2%, jointly taking 53.9% of total imports.

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 imports of vulcanised rubber articles from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 541 million US dollars, down by 7.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.4%, with an annualized decline rate of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 625 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 5.8% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's imports of vulcanised rubber articles in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. Germany accounted for 26.1% of imports in value terms, China for 10.2%, and France for 8.9%, together representing 45.2% 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