Italian trade association Assocomaplast (Milan; www.assocomaplast.org), which represents about 170 plastics and rubber processing machinery manufacturers, has said that, based on figures for the first nine months of 2011 from the Italian National Statistics Institute (ISTAT; www.istat.it), it expects that the full year will reflect highly improved performance in exports and stability in the domestic market.

The association said that exports in 2011 will rise by over 19% year-on-year to EUR 2.4 bn, while production will rise by 11% to EUR 4 bn. Imports are predicted to increase by almost 6% compared with 2010, while the domestic market will remain relatively stable, with 2% growth. Germany will remain Italy’s principal market. Elsewhere in Europe, increases in exports to Russia (based on Jan-Sept 2011 data: up 65%), Poland (54%) and Turkey (46%) are highlighted by Assocomaplast. High growth levels were also seen in the Far East, which is expected to see a 30% rise in exports in 2011, with China leading gains. Sales to South America have slowed following recent positive trends.

Moulding machinery exports are forecast to see a 55% year-on-year increase in 2011, with sales of extruders rising by 26%. Although they represent only a small proportion of the market, sales of mono- and multifilament and thermoforming machines have almost doubled compared with 2010.

Export credit insurance is problematic, compared with Germany and France, and is a cause of concern for companies in the sector Assocomaplast said. The association is addressing the issue with export credit insurance agency SACE and the Italian Ministry of Economic Development.