The market for hydro-alcoholic gels - Italy

1.1 Definition and scope of study

Hydroalcoholic gels are disinfecting products that prevent infection by attacking or deactivating microorganisms, such as viruses or bacteria. They contain three main components: alcohol, which is the active ingredient that acts on microorganisms, a softener, which is useful for preserving skin hydration, and a gelling agent that provides a less liquid texture for ease of application. Sometimes, gels can also contain a perfume to cover the odor of the alcohol, which is not pleasant at all. The hydroalcoholic gel market can be segmented by type (15% or 20% ethanol), distribution channel, packaging type (flip-flop bottles, pump bottles, and dispensers), and geographical outlook. 

The global hydroalcoholic gel market was valued at $107.62 million in 2020, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.06% during the period from 2021 to 2027.

As in all other parts of the world, the hydroalcoholic gel market in Italy skyrocketed in 2020, with the spread of the pandemic. Indeed, hydroalcoholic gels have become daily-use products, and sales trends can witness this interesting increase: we shifted from a total of 9 million products sold in Italy in 2019 to a total of more than 103 million bottles in 2020. Naturally, given the sharp rise in demand, even the supply side has undergone some relevant changes. For instance, packaging has become more user-friendly, involving different formats for each different need, and the composition of such gels has been modified to fulfil different exigencies with regards to skin cure.

Obviously, after the outbreak of the pandemic, the reopening of offices and public spaces required new formats of gel bottles to be introduced in the market. Sometimes, actual dispensers are installed in the corridors of buildings or at their entrance. Therefore, lots of companies on the Italian jurisdiction have seize the opportunity to start the business of producing and delivering hydroalcoholic gel to companies and enterprises (business-to-business market). And it goes without saying that such market will grow even more during the upcoming years, when restrictions will be lifted and people will return back to their normal lives, so much more contacts among them will happen.