ROME: The Italian plastics and rubber manufacturing machinery industry remains to be a vital cog in the international marketplace, with exports up 16.3 per cent. According to the Italian trade association Amaplast – previously known at Assocomaplast – foreign trade data published by ISTAT for the first quarter of 2017 revealed that imports were up 15.3 per cent and exports rose 16.3 per cent year-on-year. This upward trend into double digits is a good sign for the Made in Italy brand, as the Italian plastics and rubber machinery manufacturing sector sold 70 per cent of its products at a value of €4.2 billion (£3.9 billion) in 2016 to other countries, returning to pre-recession levels. Exports increased significantly for all machinery categories except tyre presses and foam plants, ranging from eight per cent for presses to 70 per cent for thermoforming machines.
Overall exports indicate growth of nearly 20 per cent to Europe, with sales rising year-on-year from €380 million to €455 million. Germany, Spain and Romania recorded the most significant increases, while Russia is showing signs of recovery. “We do not expect exports to maintain double-digit growth all the way to the end of the year,” said Amaplast President Alessandro Grassi. “Nevertheless, this is certainly a very important signal confirming ongoing growth in the sector, supported also by the positive trend in the domestic market as recorded in previous months.” Sales to Central and South America shot upwards by 53 per cent to €47 million, with significant growth in exports to Brazil and notable opening of the Cuban market.
Exports to Africa increased by 21 per cent to €33 million, with Algeria, Nigeria, and South Africa leading the way. The four per cent upward trend in sales to Asia and North America was less pronounced, however, these zones absorb a considerable share of Italian exports in the sector: in January-March 2017, Middle and Far Eastern markets (including the marginal region of Oceania) and the NAFTA countries each represented 14 per cent of the total. The survey conducted among Amaplast members at the end of May, comparing the current half-year to the same period in 2016, highlights a positive trend both in revenues – with 39 per cent reporting growth and 49 per cent reporting stability. Moreover, 42 per cent reported order increases and 52 per cent logged order stability.
