Woven fabrics of metal thread and metallised yarn for apparel, furnishing or similar uses market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for woven fabrics of metal thread and metallised yarn contracted from 3 382 t in 2018 to 2 567 t in 2020. This decline coincided with heightened competition from emerging countries and a reported lag among Italian firms in adopting digitalization and circular production models compared to foreign competitors. In December 2020, the government introduced a support decree offering grants for startups and young talents to foster innovation in design, production processes, and sustainable textiles, aiming to counter these challenges.

Market volume recovered in the following years, rising to 2 903 t in 2022, an 11% increase from 2021. In value terms, the market stabilized around $70 million US after earlier volatility, with the physical recovery suggesting a recalibration of supply and demand.

By 2023 and 2024, the sector was affected by an economic crisis and a contraction in global trade, factors linked to increased payment defaults and a reported 6.1% drop in sector revenue. In response, a new ministerial decree in August 2024 established funding for Italian SMEs to invest specifically in green technologies, digitalization, and innovation to drive a structural transition within the industry.

Production metallised yarn woven fabrics in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Production reached its lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018 with a 375-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Italy's output of woven fabrics of metal thread and metallised yarn for apparel, furnishing or similar uses was valued at 88.6 million US dollars, representing a 10.1% year-over-year increase. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 102.1 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 21.2% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018 with a remarkable 37 396.1% surge.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Production hit its lowest point in 2017, then reached its peak in 2018 with a 465-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Italy produced 2 552 tonnes of woven fabrics of metal thread and metallised yarn for apparel, furnishing or similar uses, which represents a 20.5% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum production volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 390 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with an extraordinary 46 433.8% growth.

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

Exports metallised yarn woven fabrics from Italy

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Exports reached their highest point in 2017, then fell to their lowest level in 2020 with a 3.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Italy's cross-border shipments of woven fabrics of metal thread and metallised yarn for apparel, furnishing or similar uses amounted to 9 630 kilograms, which is 69.1% lower than the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with an 11.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicates that Italy's exports of woven fabrics of metal thread and metallised yarn for apparel, furnishing or similar uses were not concentrated on just a few key destinations. The United States accounted for 13.0% of exports, Croatia for 10.8%, and France for 10.0%. Together, these three countries represented only 33.8% of total export flows, showing a diversified export structure.

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

Italy's exports of woven fabrics of metal thread and metallised yarn for apparel, furnishing or similar uses declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 489 thousand US dollars, showing a 49.0% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 58.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 25.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 631 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 37.1% rise.

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

The structure of Italy's exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 points to a diversified set of trading partners. The United States accounted for 20.9% of export value, Japan for 12.4%, and Switzerland for 8.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 41.6% of total export flows, while the remaining 58.4% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports metallised yarn woven fabrics to Italy

Imports in kind, kg

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their highest point in 2017, then fell to their lowest level in 2019 with a 4.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Italy imported 24 341 kilograms of woven fabrics of metal thread and metallised yarn for apparel, furnishing or similar uses, marking a 49.6% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 16 266 kilograms. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 71.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was Italy's main supplier of woven fabrics of metal thread and metallised yarn for apparel, furnishing or similar uses, accounting for 44.7% of imports in kind. Germany followed with 9.4%, and France with 7.3%. Together, these three countries comprised 61.3% of Italy's total imports in kind during this period.

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

After a two-year decline, Italy's imports of woven fabrics of metal thread and metallised yarn for apparel, furnishing or similar uses increased in 2020. Import volume reached 714 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a sharp rise of 56.7% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 14.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 5.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 456 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 44.7% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy imported woven fabrics of metal thread and metallised yarn for apparel, furnishing or similar uses from many countries. Even the largest destinations — France, the Netherlands, and Belgium — together represented only 43.0% of total imports in value terms, indicating a highly diversified import structure.

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

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