Chinaplas corona-linked rescheduling to hurt Italian machinery makers

Milan, Italy – A decision to postpone the major China rubber & plastics event Chinaplas will have a significant impact on Italian machinery makers for the sector, according to trade body Amaplast.

With the outbreak of Covid-19 (coronavirus) in China, Chinaplas organisers have postponed the Shanghai event to 3-6 August, from the original dates of 21-24 April.

In a 24 Feb statement, the Italian rubber & plastics machinery trade association Amaplast said the epidemic was “a source of concern” for Italian exporting companies.

The rescheduling of the show, said the association, represents “a significant problem”, as it will cause delays in the potential orders that would be collected at the show.

In addition, the new dates coincide with the start of the Italian summer holiday period.

Amaplast, which organises the Italian pavilion at Chinaplas and coordinates participation of Italian exhibitors, said over 60 companies have confirmed their participation at the Chinese event this year.

However, it said, those companies are now “unsure about how to proceed”, as there is uncertainty about the epidemic’s future development.

According to the association, the corona-linked production halt in China has already led to “many cases of delays" in the delivery of machinery which are ready for dispatch or are approaching completion at the manufacturer’s factories.

The disruption in the installation of new plants as well as the suspension of new orders and investment decisions could cause “a major difficulty” and “financial stress” for the Italian machinery suppliers, Amaplast added.

China is an important export market for Italian rubber & plastics processing machinery, equipment and moulds.

In 2018, China was the eighth biggest importer of Italian rubber & plastics machinery with €120 million worth of imports. In the first nine months of 2019, the country imported in excess of €110 million worth of machinery from Italy.