German manufacturers of plastics machinery organised in the industry association Verband Deutscher Maschinen und Anlagenbau e.V. (VDMA, PO Box 719864, D-60498 Frankfurt) expect sales to rise 5% in 1998, despite the financial crisis in Asia, which was the major factor behind a 5% decline in foreign demand in the first five months. Sales of German plastics machinery rose 8% from January to May 1998, said Bernd Knörr, general manager of the plastics and rubber producers group within VDMA at a press conference in Frankfurt. Demand from German customers rose 17%, from the EU by 11%.

In 1997, the sales value of machinery produced in Germany rose 13% against 1996 to a record DEM 7 bn. Export sales of more than DEM 5 bn pushed the share of foreign sales to nearly 77%. Almost half of "export" trade is with European countries. VDMA estimates German machinery makers' world market share at around 25%. Closest competitors are Japan, followed at some distance by Italy and the US. With a production value of DEM 1.7 bn – 31% higher than in 1996 – injection moulding machinery led the "hit list". Output of extrusion machinery rose 7% to DEM 1.3 bn, blow moulding machinery by 14% to more than DEM 422m. VDMA said it was pleased with the "above average" increase in demand for PET bottle machinery lines.

Looking ahead to 1999, the association predicts that declining demand for automobiles indirectly will impact sales of plastics machinery, while buoyant demand for packaging materials will drive businesss for this type of machinery. Although no impulses are expected to come from Germany, lively building activity in eastern Europe, Turkey, Greece and Egypt will keep machines in this sector humming.

READER SERVICE: Brochure "German Plastics and Rubber Machinery" (98 pages): PIE-No. 42820.