US and Germany drive Italian plastic machinery exports: Report

—Sponsored article by Machines Italia

Exports of Italian plastics and rubber machinery equipment rose significantly during the first six months of 2015, compared to the year before, according to a new report from Assocomaplast, the Italian trade association.

Exports were up 17 percent at the end of June 2015, compared to the same period last year. Germany was among the top import markets for the equipment, with a 19 percent rise over the same period in 2014, according to the report.

There was also a notable increase in business from Spain and the Czech Republic, along with the NAFTA group. In North America, imports to the US were up 36 percent, and 15 percent in Mexico. Brazil is also investing in more Italian-made machinery, with a 17 percent rise—shifting from four years of steady declines.

The continued decline in exports to Russia—down 39 percent—was caused in large part by the Ukraine crisis, according to the report. Negative values were also seen for India (down 24 percent), where Italian suppliers are finding it difficult to make headway; and China, where there are marked swings in performance from year to year.

Read the full report on Machines Italia’s web site.