Italian machinery makers see 'mixed signals' in overseas markets amid tariff pressure

Milan, Italy -  The Italian plastics and rubber machinery industry has reported weakness in exports to Europe, especially within the EU, while sales to the Americas remained stagnant.

More positive results were observed in Asia/Oceania, where sales to the two main markets – China and India – increased by 15% compared to 2023, said industry association Amaplast 26 March.

Supplies to Germany declined by 2% year-on-year, which Amaplast described as “a relatively modest drop considering the severe economic and industrial crisis the country has been facing.”

Nonetheless, Germany remained the top destination for the Italian rubber & plastics processing machinery.

In particular, the trend is more encouraging given the fact that German manufacturers suffered a 30% year-on-year collapse in domestic sales and order intake in 2024.

Other major European markets that had performed well in recent years, such as Spain and Romania, experienced a slowdown of 6% and 20%, respectively.

Poland also registered a decline of 19% year-on-year, while demand from Turkey continued to grow, up 15% year-on-year.

Amaplast noted “mixed signals” in overseas markets, compounded by the recent uncertainties caused by tariffs and other protectionist measures by the Trump Administration.

Compared to 2023, Italian exports of plastics and rubber machinery to the US, the sector’s second-largest destination, fell by 4%.

However, Amaplast said it would take “several more months” to fully assess the impact any potential new tariff measures.

While Mexico registered a “significant” increase in orders, Amaplast said future investment plans in the country remains closely tied to the US and its policies.

Exports to Brazil, meanwhile grew 86% on 2023 levels, hitting an ‘all-time record’ of €120 million, primarily driven by strong demand for high-tech machinery.

As for machinery types, Amaplast noted a 7% decline in injection and extrusion machines.

These were counterbalanced by the strong performance of blow moulding machines, increasingly in demand in the US, the UK, France, Turkey, and Poland.