World plastics and rubber machinery exports to Russia were up about 50% year-on-year in 2011, reaching a total of almost EUR 596m, the latest figures from the German Engineering Federation VDMA (Frankfurt; www.vdma.org) indicate. Top supplier continued to be Germany (about EUR 184m), followed by Italy (EUR 95m) and China (EUR 69m). In terms of year-on-year gains, however Finland took the lead, raising its plastics and rubber machinery exports to Russia by 541% over 2010 to a total value of EUR 20.8m. The second largest gainer was The Netherlands, whose exports rose by 303% from EUR 10m in 2010 to EUR 40.6m last year.

Looking at the historical evolution of German exports, VDMA data show that in value terms, 2011 has marked the turnaround from the recession of 2008/2009, when plastics and rubber machinery deliveries to the country caved in significantly. Although the current level still remains below the more than EUR 200m in exports registered in 2006, 2007 and 2008, a recovery appears well underway. VDMA data from the first nine months of 2012 show that German plastics and rubber machinery exports to Russia grew by another 2.7% year-on-year in the period in question, meaning the sector is poised for further, albeit slower, growth this year.