GENERAL NEWS
Europe’ s industrial backbone needs support
On 3 December 2025, CECIMO( the European Association of Manufacturing Technologies) warned that Europe’ s machine tool industry has undergone a severe downturn over the last few years. The sector is now under continuous pressure from global instability, trade barriers, weakened demand and disrupted supply chains.
For many years, the European machine tool sector has been a driver of competitiveness, innovation, productivity and technological progress generating positive spillover effects across the entire manufacturing ecosystem. The sector has supported high-skilled employment, strengthened European industrial value chains and contributed significantly to Europe’ s economic growth and resilience.“ However, over the last few years, a combination of unprecedented crises as the pandemic; economic slowdown; inflationary pressures; geopolitical instability; supply chain disruptions; trade tensions; stronger competition emerging from China and increasing uncertainty levels have negatively affected the European machine tool sector. [ These have undermined ] its global position, stability and long-term prospects. Despite its resilience and adaptability, the pressure now facing European machine tool manufacturers is jeopardising their endurance and capacity to absorb shocks and maintain global competitive advantage,” said the association.
François Duval, President of CECIMO.
“ Economic uncertainty and weakening demand have had a significant impact on production and investment. The business sentiment among European machine tool builders has remained negative since Q2 2023, accompanied by a rising level of uncertainty. Machine tool production decreased by 9.2 % in 2024. Expectations for 2025 project a further production drop of around 8.5 %. When examining European machine tool market shares, a decline has been observed since 2023. Current estimates place Europe’ s share of the global machine tool market at 31 %, down from 37 % in 2019,” it continued.
“ Similar patterns are observed when looking at consumption levels. European machine tool consumption dropped by 17.1 % in 2024 and is anticipated to decline by 5.2 % in 2025. Since 2023, the market share of European machine tool builders in global consumption has declined, reaching an estimated level of 20.8 % in 2025, compared to 25.2 % in 2023,” it added.
“ Europe’ s manufacturing backbone is under pressure” said Filip Geerts, CECIMO Director General.“ If we don’ t act decisively, we risk losing our leadership in machine tool technologies to global competitors within the next few years.”
“ The sector’ s decline represents not just a threat to its own survival but also a risk to Europe’ s manufacturing competitiveness and technological sovereignty,” added Francois Duval, CECIMO President.
CECIMO is urging national and European institutions to reinforce their support for the manufacturing technology sector, recognising its strategic importance within the industrial value chain and its essential contribution to innovation, productivity and technological progress across Europe. n
Filip Geerts, CECIMO Director General.
www. cecimo. eu
Welding machinery market revenues
The global welding machinery market is undergoing a significant transformation towards automation, robotics and intelligent weld-management systems, according to a new report“ Welding Machinery- A Global Market Overview” marketed by ResearchAndMarkets. com.
“ With a 40 % increase in the adoption of robotic welding, more than 60 % of manufacturers have incorporated automated set-ups to enhance precision, consistency and efficiency. Technologies such as AIdriven controls, real-time weld optimisation and predictive maintenance are becoming prevalent, buoyed by the adoption of eco-friendly materials and low-emission processes, primarily in the electric vehicle( EV) and energy sectors,” said the report.
“ The accessibility of affordable automation, including cobots and compact robotic cells, is empowering small to midsized manufacturers. From an estimated value of US $ 19.8 billion in 2025, the market
is projected to expand to US $ 29.6 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 5.9 %,” added the report.
Demand is driven by increasing industrial automation and the shift towards highquality, repeatable production, said the report. Key industries( automotive, heavy machinery, shipbuilding and construction) are transitioning from manual to robotic and CNC-based systems to reduce cycle times and maintain stringent quality standards. Rapid infrastructure development, large-scale fabrication and growth in EV manufacturing continue to spur demand for conventional and advanced welding systems.
The report highlighted Asia-Pacific as the dominant and fastest-growing region in the welding machinery market, holding a 37.2 % share in 2025 with a projected CAGR of 7.1 % from 2025 to 2032.
“ Arc welding machinery commanded the largest share of the market at 49.1 % in 2025, driven by its adaptability, costeffectiveness and portability. Laser beam welding machinery ranks as the fastestgrowing segment, with a projected 8.5 % CAGR through 2032. This growth is supported by its precision, speed, easy automation integration and ability to weld advanced or dissimilar materials,” outlined the report,
“ Automatic welding machinery, capturing a 42 % market share and expected to grow at a 7.1 % CAGR from 2025 to 2032, leads as the largest and fastest-growing mode of operation. The‘ Automotive & Transportation’ sector spearheaded the market with a 34.1 % share in 2025, supported by high automation and quality demands.‘ Aerospace & Defence’ is projected as the fastestgrowing end-use sector, with a 7.2 % CAGR from 2025 to 2032, fuelled by increased aircraft production and the modernisation of defence strategies,” added the report. n
www. researchand markets. com / r / syzb0w
6 | ismr. net | ISMR February 2026