Steady growth for the Italian plastics and rubber processing machinery export

The 2011 final balance for the Italian plastics and rubber machinery industry confirms the forecasts worked out some months ago by Assocomaplast (the Italian association, belonging to CONFINDUSTRIA, that groups together some 170 manufacturers). Last year, exports grew by more than 20% compared to 2010 whilst the domestic market remained unchanged (+0,9% in value).

Germany, France, China and United States confirmed and enhanced their top position in the ranking of the destination countries for the Italian exports while sales towards the Russian Federation posted a considerable increase (+60.4%). Contrarily, the sector association highlights a demand shrinkage from Brazil and a stagnation in Spain.

The sentiment survey carried out by Assocomaplas at the end of February confirmed the good trend of exports but a certain slackening occurred in the latest weeks. This could be also due to the hold-over pause of the Italian and foreign operators not only for the uncertain world economic situation but also in view of the rendez-vous scheduled in a few weeks - PLAST 2012, Fiera Milano fairgrounds, May 8-12 - which is the largest European sector exhibition of the year, with over 1,400 exhibitors of machinery, auxiliary equipment, materials etc. According to highlights provided by exhibitors, the main focus of the show will be repre-sented by machinery which allow a considerable energy saving compared to some years ago. Another important innovation at PLAST 2012 will be recovery and re-use of post-consume plastics, even for food-contact applications.

Source: Assocomaplast