Strong domestic demand fuelled double-digit growth in the period from January through September of this year for Italian plastics and rubber processing machinery, equipment, and moulds, according to the country’s industry association Amaplast (Milan; www.amaplast.org).

The trade group also expressed optimism about the current quarter, saying that international demand is expected to boost orders by 17% and revenues close to 60%. “Warehouse stock levels remain close to stable with a slightly downward trend indicating increased delivery speeds.”

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The association reported that in the first nine months of 2021, sales rose 14% versus the year-earlier period, and orders jumped 41%, which pushed the production horizon for companies out to more than six months.

The robust first half of this year (see Plasteurope.com of 27.09.2021) was supported by third-quarter results, with sales up 17% versus the same period in 2020, and orders growing 30%. “The undeniably significant [rise of] 30% actually represents lower growth than the peak recorded in the previous quarter, but is nevertheless quite impressive, sustained by the greater demand for machinery both in Italy and abroad, while the replacement parts segment appears somewhat less dynamic.”

For specific sectors, packaging and medical have been experiencing the most positive trend, while construction and automotive remain more static, the association said.

But the association warned that Italy is not out of the woods quite yet: “There are concerns about factors that could compromise the intensity of the recovery in the Italian economy in general and in the plastics and rubber processing machinery industry specifically. In parallel with the escalation of raw materials and component prices – coupled with low availability and longer delivery times – serious issues have plagued logistics for over a year now, without any near-term resolution in sight.”

It also noted that rising energy costs are beginning to “weigh heavily” on machinery manufacturers and threaten to make Italian production in the sector less competitive internationally.

Additionally, Amaplast said travel restrictions – some of which could even stop Italians from re-entering their own country – remain a concern. Such measures hinder contact with customers while making installations and on-site repairs of plastics processing machinery and equipment problematic, serious obstacles for an industry that on average earns 76% of sales from exports.