Argentine panorama

The annual study by CAIP (Camara Argentina de la Industria Plastica) illustrates the state of the plastic industry in this South American country. The converting segment includes approximately 2780 companies (80% of which are located in the city and province of Buenos Aires), with 38,000 employees (34,000 in 2011), 70% of which works for companies with fewer than 10 employees. In 2012, production of raw material was approximately 1.37 million tons and consumption 1.73 million (per-capita consumption of 44 kg), against imports and exports of 830,000 and 474,000 tons, respectively.
Consumption by sector of use is distributed as follows: 46% packaging, 13% construction, 10% electric/electronic, 8% automotive, 4% agriculture, 7% household goods and furnishing, 12% other. In 2012, production of plastic manufactured goods just topped 1.7 million tons, down 4% since 2011; consumption also fell by 5%, to 1.78 million tons.
Based on Istat data, in the first six months of the current year, Italian exports of plastic and rubber machinery to Argentina reached 14 million euro, recording a 12% rise compared to January-June 2012. The main customs categories are: flexographic printing machines (3.3 million euro) and blow moulding machines (2.4).