Italian rubber and plastics machinery trade grows strongly

Recently, the Italian Plastics and Rubber Processing Machinery and Mould Industry Association (Amaplast) Research Center analyzed the first quarter of this year's foreign trade data released by the Italian National Bureau of Statistics (ISTAT). The data shows that the Italian rubber and plastics machinery trade has grown strongly.

The analysis showed that the import volume increased by 15.3% in the first quarter, while the export volume increased by 16.3%. Exports continued the upward trend in 2016. In 2016, more than 70% of the products were exported, with a value of more than 4.2 billion euros, returning to the level before the recession. In addition to tire vulcanizers and foam equipment, exports of almost all machinery products have increased significantly – with vulcanizers growing at 8% and thermoforming machines being 70% arrogant.
 
From a regional perspective, exports to Europe (primary market) grew strongly (nearly 20%), rising from 380 million euros to 455 million euros, especially in Germany, Spain and Romania. At the same time, Russia showed signs of recovery, with sales in Central America and South America rising 53% to 47 million euros. Exports to Brazil have grown substantially, notably opening up the Cuban market. Exports to Africa increased by 21%, sales reached 33 million euros, and the top three were Algeria, Nigeria and South Africa. On the other hand, the upward trend in the Asian and North American markets is not so obvious, and the growth rate is basically maintained at around 4%. However, these regions have absorbed a considerable share of Italy's exports in the industry: from January to March 2017, the Middle East and Far East markets (including the Oceanian marginal region) and the North American Free Trade Agreement countries each accounted for 14% of total exports.
 

At the end of May, Amaplast conducted a survey of its members, comparing the first half of this year with the same period in 2016, highlighting the positive growth trend of income and orders: 39% of members reported income growth, 49% reported stable income, and 42% of members Report orders increased and 52% of members reported stable orders. “We don’t expect exports to maintain a double-digit growth trend until the end of the year,” Amaplast’s chairman, Alessandro Graci. “However, this is undoubtedly an important signal to confirm the continued growth of the industry. Support for positive trends in the domestic market for several months."

Amaplast is made up of 160 Italian plastics, rubber processing machinery and mold makers, formerly known as Assocomaplast, which was changed to its current name in early June.