Extrusion International USA 1-2022

15 Extrusion International 1/2022 Plastics and Rubber Processing Machines: Sector in Recovery „ The full-year forecast developed by MECS-Amaplast sta- tistical studies centre shows double-digit growth in 2021 for the Italian plastics and rubber processing machinery, equipment, and moulds industry “According to our estimates, at the close of 2021 produc- tion should be a hair’s breadth from pre-pandemic lev- els, reaching 4.35 billion euros and an impressive +11.5% with respect to 2020,” states Amaplast president Dario Previero. The primary driver of recovery in the sector in Italy is the domestic market, which is forecast to close the year with growth of nearly fi fteen points and a value of 1.35 billion euros. On the basis of the most recent economic survey of the fi rst nine months of the current year, the surge in or- ders from Italian customers mainly regards machinery and complete processing lines. Exports are also playing a decisive role and are expect- ed to return to a value on the order of 3 billion euros, giving a boost to the balance of trade. Indeed, 8 of the top 10 Italian export destination countries, collectively absorbing nearly 60% of the total, show strong growth in demand, with +17% from Poland and +83% from China. Orders received in the fi rst three quarters of the year, both from Italian and foreign customers, cover production for the next six months and mainly regard machinery. The re- placement parts segment, while in the positive range, ap- pears somewhat less dynamic. As regards applications, it is not surprising to see the high- est and most sustained demand for technology from the packaging and medical sectors, while construction and au- tomotive travel at more moderate speeds. “Naturally, various factors of instability that arose and worsened over the past year – from raw materials costs to dif fi culty in procuring components, from an increase in energy and transport costs to restrictions on personal mo- bility – are still unresolved and continue to be sources of concern for companies,” adds Previero. However, the clear recovery recorded in 2021 –with the fi rst signs of an upswing already observed in the last months of 2020 – gives us good reason to expect performance beyond pre-crisis levels already next year. “This con fi rms the robust response capacity of compa- nies in the industry, deriving typically from their fl exibility. Faced with the challenges posed by the context and mar- kets, the companies have again succeeded in developing tailor-made solutions in terms of technological content, sustainability, and ef fi ciency,” emphasizes Previero. A Più SRL www.a-piu-srl.com