ECONOMY AND MARKET
Despite challenges for Italian manufacturers of plastics and rubber machinery , preliminary results show a potential recordbreaking production of over 4.8 billion euros in 2023 , driven by a 13 % increase in exports . Europe remains the primary market , while the Americas and the Middle East show promising growth .
ENCOURAGING PRELIMINARY RESULTS ,
DESPITE A FEW SHADOWS
Italian technology plast / April 2024
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According to estimates by the Amaplast-Mecs Statistical Study Center , in 2023 the Italian plastics and rubber machinery production could set a new all-time record for the sector of over 4.8 billion euros , racking up a gain of at least three points over 2022 . This is mainly due to a positive trend in exports – which improved progressively over the nine months assessed by the Italian Institute of Statistics ( Istat ) – that have increased by 13 % compared to January-September 2022 . In the same period , imports have increased by 6 % while the active trade balance has increased by sixteen points .
THE EXPORT Exports – accounting for more than 70 % of national production for the sector – show robust growth with a positive trend in all main machinery types for primary processing and those boasting the highest share of the total : moulds ( 24 % share and + 14 % with respect to January-September 2022 ); extruders
( 12 % and + 22 %), injection moulding machines ( 5 % and + 2 %), blow moulding machines ( 4 % and + 17 %), but also figuring prominently are machines for moulding and forming ( 4 % and + 22 %), flexographic printers ( 4 % and + 18 %), and machines for foamed products ( 4 % and + 40 %).
EUROPE Geographically speaking , Europe confirms its status as primary destination of products made in Italy for the sector , with an overall share of 56 %. EU countries account for 45 % and sales within this market show the most positive results : Germany (+ 7 %), France (+ 23 %), and Spain (+ 19 %). Two EU countries have made it into the top ten commercial outlets after a significant increase in exports : Romania (+ 71 %) and the Czech Republic (+ 38 %). We have also seen a robust increase in deliveries to Russia , in spite of all the well known issues associated with this country : + 61 %. www . plastmagazine . it