At the top of the rankings

Stability in the ranks of major machinery exporting countries: Germany is still number one and Italy stands firm at second place.The German Association of plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers (VDMA) has worked out the 2009 export statistics (referring just to "core machinery", i.e., excluding flexographic printing machines, auxiliary equipment and moulds) of the main manufacturing and exporting countries (in order: Germany, Italy, Japan, China, United States, France, Taiwan, Austria, and Canada, representing 84% of world trade for the sector).Germany ranks first, holding 25% of the total, with Italy following at 12%. However, while Italy's share (as well as those of France, Japan and Austria) stands nearly unchanged with respect to 2008, the German competitors have lost over one point. On the other hand, United States, China and Canada increased their quota (respectively by almost two, almost one, and half a point).However, VDMA highlights the fact that German manufacturers' order books for the first half of 2010 turned out much better than had been forecast at the beginning of the year. According to a recent survey carried out by ASSOCOMAPLAST among its Members, Italian companies are optimistic as well: many of them expect a further increase in orders in the coming months, also hoping for a boost from the upcoming K show in Düsseldorf.The survey also indicated that Germany is the number one destination market for Italian plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers, confirming the German processors' trust in Italian-made technology. The next in line are Brazil, France, United States, China and Russia, with the strongest development prospects, according to the ASSOCOMAPLAST members responding to the survey, being the two new-world countries.