VDMA says the upswing in 2003 was ‘not yet sustainable’

German plastics machinery makers experienced “light recovery, but not yet a sustainable upswing” in 2003, according to VDMA president Prof. Helmar Franz. Production of core plastics machinery grew by 4.3% to a value of E4.359bn, he said at a meeting yesterday. China has overtaken the USA as the largest market for German plastics machinery in 2003, although the USA still holds first position for German injection moulding machines.

Exports to eastern and central European countries grew by 32.7% to E480m, outstripping 29.2% growth in exports to China and Hong Kong that reached E438m. Hungary led at 94.2% growth, followed by Poland at 36.9% and the Czech Republic at 32.4%, Russian growth was a relatively modest 12.5%.

Prof. Franz asked of the meeting: “Will transfer of investment to the new EU member countries, Russia and China continue? Or will the caravan move on to, for example, India?” Incoming orders for core plastics machinery were up 13% and even in the depressed domestic market orders started to grow again at 3%.

VDMA predicted 6% growth in production value in 2004 and a further revival in the domestic market with 5% growth in deliveries.