Swiss processors’ plastics consumption was up 3.3% in 2005

Total Swiss plastics industry turnover amounted to Euro 7.45bn (SFR 11.7bn) in 2005, according to Swiss industry association KVS, which said the industry was now back on a growth path after a period of consolidation. Processors consumed 888,100 tonnes of plastics, up by 3.3% on 2004, and exports of plastic finished articles and semi-finished products were up by 2% to E2.17bn (SFR 3.41bn). The data shows the number of Swiss plastics companies has also expanded, up 1.6% to 850 companies.

KVS says it expects growth to continue through 2006. However, it notes that worldwide increasing raw material prices, which processors have not been able to pass on to customers in full, have squeezed margins. KVS president Peter Weigelt said: “Globalisation will continue and increasingly affect Switzerland as a production location. Product innovations and high automation are the key to future international competitive ability of the Swiss plastics industry”.

The Swiss plastics industry is already responding to productivity concerns; turnover per employee is up from E183,000 (SFR 287,000) in 2002 to E224,000 (SFR 351,000) in 2005, KVS revealed. The association points out that the Swiss plastics industry exported more in May this year than the country’s traditionally important watch making industry.