The production value of Taiwan’s rubber and plastics processing machinery sectors is expected to reach USD 1.1 bn this year, representatives of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA, www.taitra.com.tw) told a press conference during “K 2010”. That is USD 300m more than in 2009, although still a little less than USD 300m below the record value of USD 1.4 bn achieved in 2005. TAITRA believes the upward trend will continue, predicting that output will reach USD 1.4 bn in 2011. This puts Taiwan’s 250 equipment and machinery makers on sixth spot globally, after Germany, Japan, Italy, the US and France.

About 70% of Taiwan’s plastic injection moulding machines are exported, with key markets including China, India, the Middle East and Africa. All in all, TAITRA predicts that Taiwan’s plastics and rubber machinery exports will amount to USD 940m in 2010, with most machines destined for Asia.

In order to carve out a more competitive role for itself and meet demand in Europe and North America, Taiwanese manufacturers increasingly are producing environmentally friendly products, ensuring energy and carbon emissions savings. Another focus is on equipment that can be customised and computer-controlled. Taiwan has responded to the increasing competition of low-cost products being launched from China by accelerating the development of large, specialised equipment, such as two-colour injection moulding machines. The country’s manufacturers are also increasingly turning towards rapid prototyping, precision high-speed moulding as well as high automation and structural rigidity.

Leading Taiwanese injection moulding machinery makers include Chuan Lih Fa Machinery Works (Yuen Kang City, Hsien; www.clf.com.tw), Fu Chun Shin (Pi Tou Village, Kwang-Meow Hsiang; www.fcs.com.tw), Victor Taichung Machinery Works (Taichung; www.victor-cnc.com), Multiplas (Gueishan, Taoyuan; www.multiplas.com.tw) and Huarong Plastic Machinery (Anding Village, Tainan; www.huarong.com.tw).

For a recent overview of Taiwan’s plastics processing industry, see Plasteurope.com of 27.08.2010.