December 20, 2024 15:13

This year, Italian manufacturers of machinery and equipment for plastics and rubber processing are not celebrating record numbers as they did in 2023. According to estimates by the trade association Amaplast, production is expected to drop by 9 percentage points by year-end, reaching €4.35 billion.

The decline in national production mirrors weakened exports during the year, although the drop is less severe compared to other industrial sectors and international competitors. The estimated export value is approximately €3.25 billion, down from €3.4 billion last year. Imports, on the other hand, are forecasted to close the year with a steeper decline of around 15%, reflecting continued weak domestic demand.

Numerous factors explain the downturn: the end of the post-pandemic rebound supported by tax incentives, delays in implementing the new Transition 5.0 plan—the incentive program that replaced Industria 4.0—which has paused investments by Italian companies, the slowdown in the automotive sector, and ongoing economic and geopolitical uncertainties on the global stage.

Looking ahead to the upcoming year, Amaplast remains cautious. “Making forecasts is not easy,” says the association’s president, Massimo Margaglione. “The ability of Italian plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers to adapt to market changes and offer advanced, flexible technological solutions faces challenges amid increasingly complex global scenarios.”
“At this point, we anticipate only a modest rebound, with key sector indicators returning to positive territory by one to two percentage points,” he adds. “Our hope is for a stronger recovery in the domestic market, supported by the effective rollout of the Transition 5.0 measures, alongside the adoption of sustainability and energy-saving directives outlined by the European Union for production processes. However, a clearer picture will only emerge after the first few months of the year.”

© Polimerica -  Reproduction prohibited, all rights reserved