There was two-digit growth for Italian manufacturers of machines, equipment and moulds for plastics and rubber in the first quarter of this year. The study centre from Amaplast (Milan / Italy; www.amaplast.org), formerly Assocomaplast, an association comprising over 160 manufacturers of plastics and rubber machinery, has reported on foreign-commerce data provided by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat, Rome; www.istat.it) for Q1 2017. In comparison with Q1 2016, the data show an increase of 15.3% on imports and an increase of 16.3% on exports. The fact that not only imports but also exports have been rising by double-digit percentages is particularly positive for Italian machinery manufacturers who, in 2016, already exceeded their pre-crisis production value of EUR 4.2 bn. With the exception of presses, the increase in exports concerns almost all types of machinery – from 8% for tyre presses to 70% for thermoforming machines.

Total exports to other European countries have also been growing steadily at around 20% (from EUR 380m to EUR 455m), with Germany, Spain and Romania as frontrunners. Even trade with Russia appears to be recovering slowly. Sales to Central and South America shot upwards by 53% (EUR 47m), with figures especially impressive for exports to Brazil and the newly-opened Cuban market. Exports to Africa increased by 21% to EUR 33m, with trade volumes being especially high towards Algeria, Nigeria and South Africa. Exports to Asia and North America somehow stagnated, recording a rise of 4%. Finally, it is worth noting that the Middle and Far East (including Oceania) on the one side and the NAFTA countries on the other each accounted for 14% of the entire Italian export volume in Q1 2017.

The survey carried out by ISTAT among Amaplast members showed an overall positive trend: 39% and 49% of the respondents had, respectively, improving and stable turnovers. As much as 42% of the respondents recorded increasing order volumes, with 52% remaining stable. “We do not expect double-digit export growth rates until the end of the year,” said Amaplast president Alessandro Grassi, “but this is definitely one important signal that confirms the continuing expansion of the sector, supported by the good internal market performances already recorded in recent months.”