Italy: Mineral Wool Market 2024

Mineral Wool Market Size in Italy

The Italian mineral wool market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, increasing by 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +71.4% against 2016 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Mineral Wool Production in Italy

In value terms, mineral wool production contracted notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production faced a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 216%. Mineral wool production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Mineral Wool Exports

Exports from Italy

For the fourth consecutive year, Italy recorded decline in shipments abroad of slag wool, rock wool and similar mineral wools and mixtures, which decreased by -11.2% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 68%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, mineral wool exports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% 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 decreased by -27.5% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Croatia (X tons) were the main destinations of mineral wool exports from Italy, together accounting for 37% of total exports. These countries were followed by Switzerland, the UK, Australia, China, Slovenia, Germany, Russia, Austria, Spain and Poland, which together accounted for a further 45%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Australia (with a CAGR of +32.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X) remains the key foreign market for slag wool, rock wool and similar mineral wools and mixtures exports from Italy, comprising 18% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Austria ($X), with an 8.3% share of total exports. It was followed by China, with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to France stood at +25.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Austria (+39.0% per year) and China (+26.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average mineral wool export price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price posted a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 173% against the previous year. The export price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Slovenia ($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 France (+24.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Mineral Wool Imports

Imports into Italy

In 2021, purchases abroad of slag wool, rock wool and similar mineral wools and mixtures increased by 44% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, mineral wool imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Croatia (X tons) constituted the largest mineral wool supplier to Italy, with a 41% share of total imports. Moreover, mineral wool imports from Croatia exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), fourfold. Slovakia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Croatia totaled +6.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+10.4% per year) and Slovakia (+48.4% per year).

In value terms, Croatia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of slag wool, rock wool and similar mineral wools and mixtures to Italy, comprising 32% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Poland, with a 9.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Croatia amounted to +6.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+4.3% per year) and Poland (+8.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average mineral wool import price amounted to $X per ton, standing approx. at the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average import price increased by 4.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Slovakia (+2.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :