Italy: Market for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) 2024

Market Size for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in Italy

In 2021, the Italian market for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) decreased by -83.5% to $X, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a dramatic decrease. Cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Production of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in Italy

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production contracted notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 189% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Exports from Italy

In 2021, exports of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) from Italy dropped markedly to X tons, shrinking by -16.3% against 2020. In general, exports saw a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 111% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports expanded modestly to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +85.3% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 81%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and Spain (X tons) were the main destinations of cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports from Italy, together accounting for 32% of total exports. Poland, Turkey, the UK, China, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Mexico, Romania and Congo lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Congo (with a CAGR of +48.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exported from Italy were the Czech Republic ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 33% share of total exports. These countries were followed by China, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Portugal, the UK, Congo and Mexico, which together accounted for a further 34%.

Congo, with a CAGR of +75.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average export price for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) amounted to $X per ton, growing by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price posted a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average export price increased by 42%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Czech Republic (+23.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Imports into Italy

After two years of decline, supplies from abroad of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 9% to X tons in 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Imports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) to Italy, accounting for a 57% share of total imports. Moreover, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports from Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), fourfold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Spain stood at +8.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+1.2% per year) and Germany (-10.0% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) to Italy, comprising 44% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Sweden, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Spain totaled +8.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-4.3% per year) and Sweden (+10.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 17% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a mild decrease. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Poland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+6.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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