Exports cushion Italian plastics & rubber machinery makers

Miltan, Italy – The Italian plastics and rubber machinery industry "experienced a mix of highs and lows" in 2024, according to sector association Amaplast*.

According to Amaplast, its 160 member companies closed 2024 with a turnover drop of just less than two percentage points compared to 2023.

Also, it reported, 2024 saw a slight yet steady 1% year-on-year increase in the
number of employees in Amaplast member companies.

Based on the results, Amaplast forecast an overall three-point contraction in turnover for the whole sector, compared to 2023.

Despite the increasing threats to global economic stability, the Italian plastics & rubber machinery sector "managed to limit losses," continued the 26 March release.

Amaplast linked this resilience to exports, which increased for the fourth consecutive year, growing by 1.5% to total €3.62 billion in 2024.

Moreover, it noted that a surge in foreign sales during the final quarter of last year, particularly in December, had prompted an upward revision of previous estimates. (ERJ report)

The solid performance of exports, which account for about 75% of total production, helped to offset a domestic market that is clearly struggling, the report continued.

The latter trend was evidenced by a nearly seven-point decline in imports, which barely exceeded €1 billion – a "sharper drop than that recorded the previous year," Amaplast stated.

On business environment, Amaplast said Italian companies were facing difficulties in making "structural investments" needed to enhance the competitiveness of their production systems.

*Information based on Amaplast surveys and year-end report prepared by the Mecs Study Centre using foreign trade data gathered by ISTAT.