Italy: Expanded Clays Market 2024

Expanded Clays Market Size in Italy

The Italian expanded clays market shrank notably to $X in 2021, dropping by -54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption faced a dramatic contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with a decrease of -8.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Expanded Clays Production in Italy

In value terms, expanded clays production dropped dramatically to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production faced a sharp downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 32%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Expanded Clays Exports

Exports from Italy

In 2021, approx. X tons of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag were exported from Italy; jumping by 31% on the year before. In general, total exports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, expanded clays exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Spain (X tons), France (X tons) and Switzerland (X tons) were the main destinations of expanded clays exports from Italy, with a combined 86% share of total exports. Slovenia, Singapore and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 7.8%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the UK (with a CAGR of +102.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Spain ($X), France ($X) and Switzerland ($X) constituted the largest markets for expanded clays exported from Italy worldwide, together comprising 68% of total exports. These countries were followed by the UK, Slovenia and Singapore, which together accounted for a further 13%.

Among the main countries of destination, the UK, with a CAGR of +135.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average expanded clays export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 7.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a noticeable setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Slovenia ($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 UK (+16.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Expanded Clays Imports

Imports into Italy

After two years of decline, purchases abroad of exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays and foamed slag increased by 31% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Imports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, expanded clays imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 72% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Slovenia (X tons), Germany (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of expanded clays imports to Italy, together accounting for 72% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Slovenia (with a CAGR of +15.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Slovenia ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) appeared to be the largest expanded clays suppliers to Italy, with a combined 80% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +16.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average expanded clays import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 4.3% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, expanded clays import price increased by +85.7% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 34% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Austria ($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 (+12.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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