REGIONAL REPORT
‘ Transition 5.0’ was announced by the Italian government in 2024 but has yet to be implemented.
“ Transition 5.0 is surely a great opportunity, because it prompts companies to think about new and necessary approaches to the proper use of resources, energy saving and sustainable production as required by European directives. Companies believe in this potential, but corrective measures must be implemented as soon as possible. Otherwise, once again, the opportunity risks remaining only on paper,” outlined Rosa.
According to UCIMU processing of data from the Italian National Statistics Institute( ISTAT), from January-August 2024 the main destination markets for Italian machine tools were the United States(+ 17.8 %); Germany(+ 12.3 %); China(-15.3%); India(+ 100 %) and France(-9.3%).
The association expected results in 2025 to return to a positive range but with very moderate increases(+ 2.9 % versus 2024).
‘ Made in Steel’ exhibition in Italy.
Industry trade shows
The 23rd edition of sheet metal trade show, LAMIERA, will be held at fieramilano Rho( Milan, Italy) from 6-9 May 2025. It is promoted by UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE( the Italian machine tool, robot and automation system manufacturers’ association) and organised by CEU-CENTRO ESPOSIZIONI UCIMU. The event highlights sheet- metal forming, cutting and processing machines as well as related technologies in the sector.
Machines and equipment for processing sheet metal; tubes; profiles; wire and structural metal fabrication; presses, moulds and dies; surface treatment and finishing; parts, components and accessories; tooling; fastener materials; technical and industrial subcontracting are at the heart of the exhibition. In 2023, the exhibition attracted 19,000 visits from sector professionals, as well as 400 exhibiting companies( 27 % of which came from outside Italy, representing 22 countries).
The 22nd edition of LAMIERA in 2023 also attracted 4,000 visitors from the‘ Made in Steel’ exhibition. LAMIERA will be held alongside the‘ Made in Steel’ exhibition, which will take place from 6-8 May 2025 at Fieramilano Rho in Milan, Italy.
‘ Made in Steel’ is an international event dedicated to the steel supply chain. Every two years, it brings together national and international key figures from the steel industry. The show organiser expects this year’ s event to attract around 350 exhibitors and co-exhibitors, over 30 % of which will be international( 20 countries outside Italy). It anticipates visitor numbers of between 18-20,000.
Italy is moving towards a sustainable, low carbon economy.
Image: Shutterstock. com
LAMIERA and‘ Made in Steel take place in Milan.
A sustainable approach
“ Italy generates more than a third of its electricity from renewable sources, such as hydroelectric, solar and wind power, and has surpassed a European Union goal to recycle 65 % of urban waste by 2025. The‘ Made in Italy’ brand is supported by a green economy, with 345,000 Italian companies embracing low carbon production. Italy is also a high-quality supplier of gas pipelines and has become one of the world’ s top five exporting countries of this type of equipment,” said the Italian Trade Agency.
“ Choosing renewable energy is a matter of social and environmental responsibility. That is why Italy has opted to generate more than a third of its electricity from renewable sources: hydroelectric power has long been the most common, followed by solar photovoltaic, biofuel, wind power and geothermal. In fact, Italy is a global leader in renewable energy,” it added.
The transformation to a sustainable, low-carbon economy is being driven by Italy’ s National Energy and Climate Plan, which is mandating improvements in energy efficiency to ensure that 30 % of the country’ s energy consumption comes from renewable sources by 2030. To achieve this target, nearly 350,000 Italian firms have committed to lowcarbon production according to the Italian Trade Agency.
In addition to other national policies and incentives, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan is expected to transform Italy’ s economic landscape, being one of the most comprehensive investment plans in Italy with circular economy principles at its core.
The European Union set the goal of recovering 65 % of industrial and urban waste by 2025. According to the Italian Trade Agency, Italy managed to surpass the target with 79 %, saving millions of tons in equivalent oil. Italy is a strong circular economy in Europe. Through its National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Italian government is investing over € 2 billion in circular economy strategies to promote green infrastructure and boost the processes of recycling, reuse and repair.
Decarbonising Italy’ s energy requirements and implementing more sustainable methods of production is the ongoing direction of travel.
“ The green economy is great for the environment and the market. Saving energy and limiting CO₂ emissions is not only an ethical choice but adds value to the end product,” confirmed the Italian Trade Agency.
The Italian government’ s Industry 4.0 plan and investments, promoting digitalisation technologies for manufacturers, has also accelerated moves to promote energy efficiency. It also offered incentive programmes for consumers to buy more electric vehicles. Major car plants across Italy have announced plans to switch to renewable energy in their factories and to produce electric vehicles. n
36 | ismr. net | ISMR April 2025