Steady growth

The 2011 final balance for the Italian plastics and rubber machinery industry confirms the forecasts worked out some months ago by Assocomaplast (the Italian association, belonging to Confindustria, that groups together some 170 manufacturers).
Last year, exports grew by more than 20% from 2010 values while the domestic market held generally steady (+0.9% in value).
Germany, France, China and United States confirmed and enhanced their top positions in the ranking of destination countries for Italian exports while sales toward the Russian Federation posted a considerable increase (+60.4%). On the other hand, the association highlights shrinkage in Brazilian demand and stagnation in Spain.
The survey carried out by Assocomaplast at the end of February confirmed the positive trend in exports although a deceleration was recorded in recent weeks. This may partially be due to a moment of reflection by Italian and foreign operators not only regarding the uncertain world economic situation but also in view of the grand rendezvous scheduled in just a few weeks – PLAST 2012 at the Fiera Milano fairgrounds, 8-12 May – which is this year's largest exhibition for the European plastics and rubber industry, with over 1,400 exhibitors of machinery, auxiliary equipment, and materials.
According to highlights provided by exhibitors, the main focus of the show will be machinery offering considerable energy savings compared to its predecessors. Another important innovation at PLAST 2012 will be the recovery and re-use of post-consumer plastics, even for food contact applications.