The report of European plastics machinery manufacturers on the business situation on the eve of the “K 2019” trade fair in Düsseldorf / Germany was full of minus signs. Luciano Anceschi, chairman of European industry association Euromap (Frankfurt / Germany; www.euromap.org), predicted a decline in global production value of around 10% compared to the previous year, from EUR 36.8 bn to EUR 33.1 bn.

The head of shredder manufacturer Tria (Cologno Monzese / Italy; www.triaplastics.com) added that the downward trend was present in all regions and sectors and that new orders had also continued to decline across the board, with a further 5% decline to around EUR 31.5 bn expected by 2020.

With their own expectation of a 10% decrease for 2019, European machinery manufacturers see themselves on par with their intercontinental competitors, as their exports are predicted to drop by 7.5% for the current year. For China and the US alone – two key export markets – decreases of 6.8% and 12% are expected, respectively.

Concrete reasons include an economic slowdown, the decline in manufacturing in large parts of vehicle production, uncertainty regarding the future of individual propulsion strategies and international trade disputes. In view of the small volume of the UK market, Brexit only has a subordinate influence, according to Anceschi.

Euromap VP Michael Baumeister found a ray of hope in the analysis. “The use of recycled materials is the biggest driver of innovation since digitalisation,” said the managing director of machinery manufacturer Brückner (Siegsdorf / Germany, www.brueckner.com). He added that the goal of using 10m t of recyclate in 2025, amounting to around 20% of plastics used in Europe, is driving the market.