Italian plastics & rubber machinery sector reports ‘second highest’ results

Milan – Italian rubber & plastics machinery industry recorded its ‘second highest ever’ results in 2022, with exports contributing the lion’s share of sales.

Total revenue came in at €4.35 billion during the year, up 8% compared to 2021, the 'national statistical study 2022' issued 4 July by industry association Amaplast shows.

Exports, which tracked a further uptrend towards the end of the year, contributed to €3.1 billion of sales, up 8.5% year-on-year, according to the study.

The machinery industry witnessed sustained growth in key geographical zones, with year-on-year increases in: the EU of 8%; North America, 6.6; non-EU Europe at 8%; and Far East, 9%.

In terms of product exports, extrusion systems held the lead, bringing in 20.8% of the entire Italian business volume and up 13.7% over 2021.

These were followed by auxiliaries at 13.7%, and injection machines at 9.5%, and the remaining categories collectively amounting to 24.2% of the overall sales.

According to the official data, around 6% of Italy's total machinery production went towards machines and moulds for the rubber industry in 2022.

The rubber machinery segment reported a total revenue of €260 million during the year, while auxiliaries posted sales of just under €600 million.

Italy’s domestic market grew by 6.8% with respect to 2021, with a business volume exceeding €1.18 billion.

The top three client sectors were packaging at 40.6%, automotive at 15.9% and
construction at 11%.

As for 2023, Amaplast said it recent survey showed a “strong sense of optimism” among manufacturers of plastics and rubber processing machinery “well above the level suggested by economic indicators.”

According to the survey, 39% of respondents expect further improvements in results for 2023, with 43% expecting stability, and only 18% expressing a pessimistic outlook.

Top export markets for Italian plastics & rubbber machinery