Italian plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers, represented by the trade association Amaplast, closed 2023 with a record-breaking turnover of 4.8 billion euros, marking a 2.8% increase over 2022. This achievement, driven primarily by exports, confirms the industry’s strong global standing. However, the domestic market experienced a decline of 7.5% compared to 2022, signaling potential challenges ahead.
The export market showed positive growth in key regions. Europe saw a 6.1% increase, with the EU area performing particularly well at 9.2%. The Americas experienced a significant growth of 20.2%, with notable increases in the USMCA zone and Latin America. Asia showed an 8.1% increase, driven by strong growth in the Middle East.
Despite these successes, uncertainties loom over 2024 due to various factors such as the war in the Middle East and rising interest rates. Analysts predict a challenging year ahead, following the resolution of supply chain issues that led to an accumulation of orders in 2021 and 2022.
“We are very pleased with this record result,” stated Massimo Margaglione, President of Amaplast. “The consolidated 2023 data, combined with the success of our Plast fair, confirm that the plastics and rubber machinery industry retains a leadership role internationally for the Made in Italy.”
The industry is hopeful for support from initiatives like Industry 5.0, which aims to support technology investments for a green transition. However, delays in implementation and ongoing uncertainties are impacting the sector’s momentum, requiring timely support measures to sustain growth.