The marble market - Italy (2024)

1.2 World market growth

In **** the world marble market is estimated at $**.** billion. Modest growth in the global market is expected in the near future. A compound annual growth rate (***) of *.* percent is projected for ****-****, under which the world marble market could reach a total value of $**.** billion by the end of the period.

Marble Market World, ****-****, in billions of dollars GrandViewResearch

The United States is the world's largest importer of marble. In ****, the country imported marble with a total value of $*.** billion. It is closely followed by China, with a total import value of $*.** billion. Much further behind are India, the United Arab Emirates and Italy, where imports totaled $***.* million, $***.* million and $***.* million, respectively. Major importers of marble (***) World, ****, in millions of dollars Uncomtrade On the export side, Turkey is the world's leading exporter of marble. In ****, the total value of this country's marble exports reached $*.** billion. Above $* billion in value also ranks the exports of China and Italy, at $*.** billion and $*.** billion respectively. Greece and Egypt ranked far behind the other three countries, with total export values of $***.* million and $***.* million. Major Marble Exporters (***) World, ****, in millions of dollars Uncomtrade

1.3 The Italian market

Italy is at the center of the world marble market, falling among both the top exporters and top importers. However, between **** and ****, the value of production sold of marble and travertine appears to be declining. During the period analyzed, the value of extractions decreased from ***.* million euros to ***.* million euros, marking a contraction of **.* percent. However, while between**** and **** there is a growth of **.*%, between **** and **** the contraction is **.*%.

Value of production sold of marble and travertine quarrying business Italy, ****-****, in millions of euros Istat

As for the value of output sold of the industry engaged in stone cutting and processing, between **** and ****, growth is shown. During the period analyzed, the value of production sold grew by **.* percent, from *.* billion euros to *.** billion euros. In this case, the trend is more fluctuating, with a record figure of *.** billion euros in ****. Value of production sold of etre for cutting/construction and work of such stones: marble, travertine, alabaster (excluding tiles, cubes, tesserae and similar items, whose largest surface area can be inscribed in a square whose side is < * cm Italy, ****-****, in billions of euros Istat As for the total turnover of enterprises active in ornamental and building stone quarrying, there ...

1.4 Import - Export

For the analysis of trade flows out of and into Italy, the aggregate figure for HS Codes ****, ****** and ****** is considered.

Between **** and **** there is a gradual decline in the export coverage index, determined by the ratio of exports to imports multiplied by ***. Over the period analyzed, the index decreased from ****% in **** to ***% in ****. In fact, while the value of imports grew by **.* percent, from $*.** billion to $*.* billion, the value of exports dropped from $*.** billion to $*.** billion (***)

Import - Export of marble (***) Italy, ****-****, in billion dollars and % Uncomtrade

The United States (***) represents Italy's main trading partner. In ****, the United States collected **.* percent of Italy's total marble exports. China occupies the second place **.* percent of the total, while India and the United Arab Emirates contribute *.* percent and *.* percent. The other countries individually do not reach * percent of the total value and contribute **.* percent of Italian exports indicating a wide fragmentation of outflows. Main destination countries of marble exports (***) Italy, ****, % Uncomtrade in terms of imports, Croatia is Italy's main supplier of marble. In ****, the country contributed **.* percent of total imports. It is followed by Turkey, China, Namibia, and Brazil, with shares of **.* percent, *.* percent, *.* percent, and *.* percent, respectively. Imports from Vietnam are *.* percent ...

1.5 The consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict

The outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in February **** has led to a general increase in prices, among other things. As for the mining of minerals from quarries and mines, between January **** and December ****, there is an increase in the producer price index by ** points, equivalent to a ** percent increase in mining costs. Compared with ****, producer prices increased by **.* percent. Producer price index for other mineral extraction activities from quarries and mines Italy, ****-****, base ****=*** Istat The industry active in stone cutting and processing was also affected by the conflict. Between January **** and December ****, the producer price index increased by **.* points, representing an increase in production costs of **.* percent, partly attributable to the increase in extraction prices. Compared with ****, the increase in production costs was **.* percent.

Producer price index for stone cutting, shaping and finishing Italy, ****-****, base ****=*** Istat

2.1 Demand in Italy

For the analysis of marble demand in Italy, the amount of marble sold after extraction, the amount of marble extracted, and the share occupied by marble in the total minerals extracted are taken into consideration.

Between **** and ****, the total amount of marble and travertine sold after extraction increased by *.* percent, from *.** million tons to *.** million tons. However, while sales volume grew by **.*% between **** and ****, there is a **.*% contraction between **** and ****.

Production sold in quantity of marble and travertine Italy, ****-****, in millions of tons Istat

Just as the quantity sold, the quantity extracted of marble is also increasing. Between **** and **** there is an increase of *.* percent, with the total volume extracted rising from *.** million tons to *.** million tons. However, unlike the previous case, there are no wide fluctuations in values, with the same fluctuating between *.** million tons in **** to *.** million tons in ****. Quantity of marble extracted Italy, ****-****, in million tons Istat Among the various non-energy mineral resources extracted in Italy, marble accounts for just *.*% of the total amount. Limestone, travertine, gypsum and sandstone together gather **.* percent of the extractions, sand and gravel **.* percent while porphyry, basalt, tuff and other volcanic rocks stand at *.* percent of the total. Non-energy mineral resources ...

2.2 Demand drivers

For the analysis of the drivers of marble demand in Italy, trends in the number of companies active in artistic marble processing and the luxury real estate market (***) are analyzed.

As for enterprises active in the artistic processing of marble and related stones (***), with the number of company growing by *.*%.

Enterprises active in the artistic working of marble and other related stones, mosaic work (***) Italy, ****-****, in number Istat

Regarding the total number of luxury properties in Italy, between **** and ****, the total number of for-sale listings grew by *.*%, from ***** to ***** listings. In ****, **% of the ads are for apartments while **% are villas. Luxury property listings, breakdown by property type Italy, ****-****, in thousands Immobiliare.it The total value of the stock in **** is **.* billion euros. The cities of Milan and Rome collect the highest shares, accounting for **.* percent and *.* percent of the total, respectively. They are followed by Versilia with *.* percent, the Ligurian Riviera with *.* percent and lake areas with *.* percent. Total value of the stock of luxury properties, breakdown by geographic area Italy, ****, % Realty.co.uk

2.3 Geographical distribution of demand

In order to visualize the geographical distribution of demand, a map was created with the share of luxury residential properties in each Italian macro-region.

In ****, the Northwest of the peninsula collects the highest share of luxury properties, accounting for **.*% of the national total. This is followed by the Center and the Northwest where **.*% and **.*% of luxury properties are present. Finally, the South and the Islands have the lowest values, shares in both geographic areas at *.*% of the total.

2.4 New demand trends: between new uses and attention to sustainability

Consumer preferences for marble in **** show some interesting trends in the world of interior design. Marble is seen not only as a luxury material, but also as a key element in bringing elegance and modernity to living spaces. Two main trends that are shaping the demand for marble are:

Innovative use of marble: Marble is seeing a renewal in its application in interior design. In addition to traditional uses such as flooring and countertops, marble is now being used in more creative ways. For example, it is used as a decorative wall element, adding a touch of sophistication and luxury to rooms. Marble coffee tables, console tables, and headboards have become popular, as they offer a unique blend of elegance and sturdiness. These innovative applications of marble show its versatility and ability to adapt to various design styles, transforming ordinary spaces into sophisticated and trendy settings. Marble and sustainable development: Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important issue in the marble industry. In ****, there is a growing interest in mining and using marble in more environmentally friendly ways. This includes choosing responsibly mined marble to minimize environmental impact. Recycled marble is gaining popularity as an environmentally friendly option, offering consumers a more ...

3.1 The market structure

To analyze the market structure Mining of ornamental and building stone, limestone, gypsum stone, chalk and slate" and **.**.* "Stone and marble sawing and processing." In particular, trends in the number of active enterprises and the number of employees in active enterprises are analyzed.

Mining

Between **** and ****, there is a gradual case of active enterprises in the extraction of ornamental and building stones, including marble. During the period analyzed, the total number of active enterprises fell from *** to ***, marking a contraction of **.* percent. The decline appears to be constant throughout the period, and the outbreak of the pandemic in **** does not appear to have accelerated the decline in the industry.

Active enterprises under Ateco Code **.** "Quarrying of ornamental and building stone, limestone, gypsum stone, chalk and slate" Italy, ****-****, in numbers Istat

Just as the number of enterprises, the number of employees in the industry is also declining. Between **** and ****, the total number of employees fell by **.* percent, from **** to ****. Again, the decline appears to be constant throughout the entire period, and in the three-year period ****-**** there is no significant change from previous years, suggesting that the outbreak of the pandemic did not result in major consequences for the sector. Employment ...

3.2 The value chain

The value chain for the marble market can be summarized as follows:

Extraction: The first stage of the marble value chain is the extraction of raw material from quarries. This process includes identifying marble deposits, using extraction techniques such as cutting and drilling, and transporting the raw blocks from the quarries. Transportation: After extraction, the raw marble blocks are transported from the quarries to the processing plants. This step requires careful logistics to minimize damage and expense. Sawing: Marble blocks are then cut into more manageable slabs or shapes. This process uses diamond-bladed saws and other advanced technologies to ensure precise cuts and minimize waste. Processing: Marble slabs are further processed to achieve the desired finish. This may include honing, polishing, etching, or other finishing techniques that improve the appearance and quality of the marble Design and customization: At this point, the marble can be further customized to the customer's specific needs. This may include custom cutting, artistic workmanship, or the application of special treatments. Commercialization and sale: The processed marble is then marketed and sold to customers. This can be through various channels such as distributors, retailers, interior designers, or directly to end consumers. Installation: Marble is often sold with ...

3.3 The main actors

The following is a proposed list of the main players active in marble extraction and processing in Italy:

Mining

Palissandro Marmi s.r.l: founded in ****, is an Italian company specializing in the processing and marketing of Palissandro marble, a particularly valuable and rare variety of marble, quarried exclusively in certain quarries in the Italian Alps. Located in the Piedmont region of Italy, the company is renowned for its expertise and mastery in processing this type of marble, which is characterized by an elegant combination of unique colors and veining. The company has earned a prominent place in the industry because of its ability to supply high-quality Rosewood marble, suitable for a variety of uses: from architecture to interior design, from floor and wall tiles to use in sculptural and artistic works. Palissandro marble is known for its durability and versatility, as well as its refined aesthetic appearance, making it a preferred choice for luxury and high-profile projects. Palissandro Marmi s.r.l offers a complete service from the extraction of marble in its quarries to its processing and finishing, according to specific customer requirements.

CooperativaApuana Vagli Sopra Società Cooperativa: founded in ****, is an important player in the marble quarrying and ...

3.4 The mining sites

Regarding mining sites and quarries in particular, between **** and **** there is a sharp decline in the total number in Italy. During the period analyzed, the number of quarries decreased from **** to ****, registering a decrease of **.*%. The decrease appears to be constant during the entire period and evenly distributed among the different years.

Active quarries Italy, ****-****, in number Istat

Regarding the geographic distribution of quarries in Italy, in **** the Northeast collects the highest share of mining sites, accounting for **.*% of the national total. This is followed by the Northwest and the Center where **.* percent and **.* percent of mining sites are concentrated, respectively. Finally, the South and the Islands concentrate **.* percent and **.* percent of the total number of quarries in Italy.

MACROREGION ACTIVE QUARRIES Northeast *** Northwest *** Center *** South *** Islands *** ITALY ****

4.1 Type of products

Below, we offer a non-exhaustive list of the main types of marble found in Italy.

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it is virtually impossible to list all the different varieties of marble, as their color shades and purity vary greatly. As early as ****, at the time of the First World Exhibition in France (***), a catalog of marbles was launched in a Traité de Minéralogie written by Armand Dufrénoy of the Académie des Sciences.

Italian marbles are among the most famous in the world. Italy is perhaps the richest country in terms of marble varieties. In Sicily, in Tuscany (***), in Venice, on the Genoese coast, on the island of Elba, and in many other places, there is an immense variety of marbles, white, black, yellow, green, red...

In Greece, the island of Thassos is particularly famous for its white marbles(***).

Although not as famous as Italian marble, French quarries are no less, and France has quarries and different varieties of marble, from Nord-Pas-de-Calais to the Pyrenees. There are at least ** French departments with marble quarries.

In China, marble quarrying is becoming increasingly important, as in the case of marble from the Guangxi region. Important marble quarries and varieties are also valued in Spain ...

4.2 The prices

A list of market prices for the main types of marble with their extraction locations is proposed below:

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4.3 New supply trends: patented innovations

Two important innovations introduced by the approval of two separate patents concerning are proposed for the analysis of supply-side trends in the marble market in Italy:

A method for cutting and laying marble slabs. (***) cutting and laying of said slabs, variously combined. Euromarble s.r.l.'s patented method involves: Generation of virtual images of the marble slabs. Virtual cutting of the images to subdivide the slabs into virtual sections. Marking these sections with unique codes and storing their actual shapes and sizes. Virtual placement of sections on a drawing of a furniture component, reproducing the original configuration on the marble slab.

This method offers significant advantages in terms of design flexibility, optimization of slab use, and the ability to predict the final aesthetic appearance before actual installation.

A method for bleaching marble elements (***): The present invention relates to the field of processing marble and other stone materials. Specifically, the present invention relates to a plant and method for improving the bleaching procedure. The method patented by Venturini Marmi s.r.l. involves: Preparation of a plant comprising a conveyor belt to move marble, a bleaching tunnel with heating sections, and a cooling tunnel. Placement of marble on the conveyor belt ...

5.1 The regulation of mining activities in Italy

European Standards:

Directive **/***/EEC: concerns the implementation of measures to promote the improvement of the safety and health of workers at work. Directive **/**/EEC: concerning minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers in the mineral-extracting industries by drilling. Directive **/***/EEC: on the minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers in surface or underground mineral-extracting industries. Directive ****/**/EC: on the management of waste from the extractive industries.

Italian legislation:

National legislation on the subject still dates back to Royal Decree ****/****, which distinguishes, on the basis of the material extracted, between first-category (***) extractive industries. In compliance with constitutional dictates, competencies related to non-energy minerals mining were transferred, at different times, to the regions. For quarries, the legislative reference is Presidential Decree No. *** of July **, ****.

Regional laws:

6.1 Segmentation of actors

• Palissandro Marmi s.r.l
• Cooperativa Apuana Vagli Sopra Società Cooperativa
• Italmarble Pocai s.r.l
• Cavatori Canalgrande Società Cooperativa
• Antolini Luigi & C. s.p.a
• Marmi Orobici Graniti s.p.a
• Mondial Granit s.p.a
• Franchi Umberto Marmi s.p.a