Strong performance for packaging machinery

The Italian packaging machinery industry is set to complete another year of growth. According to the preliminary figures published by the Research Department of UcimaUcima (Italian Automatic Packaging Machinery Manufacturers’ Association), the sector’s year-end turnover is expected to reach 7.045 billion euros, 6.7% up on 2016. Both the Italian and international markets have contributed to these results. Exports continue to drive the sector with international sales of 5.6 billion euros in 2017, 6.3% up on the previous year and an 80% share of total turnover.
According to the latest disaggregated data available for the first eight months of the year, all geographical areas have seen strong performances. The only exception is the African continent which has experienced an overall 6.2% decline.
In detail, the best-performing area is non-EU Europe at +14.6%, with 25% growth in the Russian Federation but a two percentage point decline in Turkey. Next come Central and South America (+17.7%) and North America with +12.1%. The United States remains the largest country of export for Italian technologies with sales of more than 300 million euros, up 6.2%.
The European Union also reported an excellent performance (+9.5%), with sales in France and Germany growing by +7.8% and +5.8% respectively. The region confirmed its position as the top area of export by value. Asia and the Middle East, the second largest market for Italian technologies, saw 3.9% growth with China and India both marking up increases of more than 25%.
The Italian market also saw a record performance for the second year running. After an 9.8% upturn in 2016, this year is expected to see further 8.2% growth to 1.4 billion euros.
In the picture: Ucima’s Chairman Enrico Aureli.