Italy's imports of clays and kaolin experienced fluctuations over the past decade, peaking at 4.81 million metric tons in 2017 before falling to 3.32 million metric tons in 2020, due to market dynamics and global events. In 2023, imports stood at 4.39 million metric tons, with a slight year-on-year increase of 5.4% from 2022. Forecasts predict a steady increase, reaching 4.54 million metric tons by 2028, reflecting a modest 5-year CAGR of 0.52%.
Key variations include a significant drop in 2020 followed by a recovery, with the last two years showing some stability. The average annual growth rate over the past five years was -0.25%.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Potential impact of environmental regulations on production and imports.
- Technological advancements in alternative materials.
- Shifts in global supply chain dynamics and trade policies.
