The building materials market - Italy

Glulam: -2.5%, confirming a downward trend that started in 2023;

Expanded polystyrene (EPS): +1.7%;

PVC pipes: +4.1% .

In terms of structure, the supply chain consists of about 47,000 active companies, 97 percent of which are microenterprises with fewer than 10 employees. Distribution is through more than 4,000 specialized outlets, alongside large-scale retail (such as Leroy Merlin and Obi) and a growing digital channel for standard products and finishes. The direct channel between manufacturer and construction company continues to account for a significant share for structural materials. The market remains highly segmented, with main segments broken down as follows:

Structural and masonry materials (concrete, steel, bricks, conglomerates);

Thermal and acoustic insulation (rock wool, EPS, natural fibers);

Finishes and coatings (tiles, plasters, paints);

Roofing and waterproofing materials;

Innovative and dry construction systems.

Recent trends (2023-2024) include:

the growing demand for materials with low environmental impact, recycled or recyclable;

the adoption of digital tools for materials life cycle assessment (LCA) monitoring and integration into BIM models;

the adaptation of products to the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) required in public procurement;

the normalization of prices, with a gradual reduction of the large fluctuations observed in the previous two years.

The sector is regulated by EU Regulation 305/2011 on Construction Products, which imposes CE marking and technical traceability requirements, supplemented in Italy by UNI standards, CAM and the new Public Contracts Code for public works.