NEWS


Italy boosts machinery imports as exports fall


Imports of plastics machinery into Italy made a massive leap in the first quarter of this year – while experts have fallen slightly. Trade association Amaplast said that the slowdown in exports should not come as a surprise – and could be within “the normal range of variation”. It added that the first two months of 2018 saw positive growth – while a fall in March dragged the figures down. “It is premature to talk about a decline, though the sector has seen growth for the last seven or eight years – and a negative phase would be within the norm in the medium or short term,” said Amaplast. On a more positive note,


Grassi: “Machinery imports show that Italian converters are investing again”


imports of machinery grew by 26%, indicating recovery in the domestic market. “It shows that the


propensity to invest among Italian converters is back on a positive growth trend, and we can only be happy about


this,” said Alessandro Grassi, president of Amaplast. The association also carried out a survey of its 170 members in mid-June, comparing the current half year with the same period in 2017: just over half (51%) of members expect stable turnover this year, while more than two-thirds (38%) expect to increase sales. In terms of orders, 42% expect stability and 41% expect to see increases. “After an excellent 2017, it is not unreasonable to expect this year to close with positive performance in both production and foreign trade – albeit at more modest growth rates than in recent years,” said Amaplast. � www.amaplast.org


European machines to grow 2%


European manufacturers of plastics and rubber machinery expect to see a 2% growth in production this year. This equates to a value


of around €15.6bn, said Euromap, the umbrella body for machinery trade groups in nine European countries, including Germany and Italy. At the same time, world produc- tion is expected to grow by 3%, to €37.4bn. Euromap added that its members are reporting full order books – though this is causing long delivery times. Other companies are having trouble finding skilled workers, it added. � http://plastics.vdma.org


PPI sets its sights on PP pressure pipe


The US-based Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) has created a polypropylene (PP) pressure pipe steering committee within its Building and Construction Division (BCD). The new group will focus


entirely on two types of PP pressure pipe: PP random copolymer (PP-R); and PP random copolymer with modified crystallinity and temperature resistance (PP-RCT). Both types are approved for potable hot and cold water plumbing systems, hydronic heating and cooling systems, and other applications. Tony Radoszewski,


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president of PPI, said that the new group – known as P4 SC – reflects the growth of PP pressure pipe in the North American market. “PP pressure pipe is relatively new in North


America, and PPI can help to grow this market in a technically correct and responsible manner,” he said. The new committee will engage in a number of activities – such as support-


PPI’s new technical committee supports the growing use of PP pressure pipe in North America


PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | July/August 2018


ing industry efforts to update and harmonise product standards ASTM F2389 and CSA B137.11; coordinating and publishing research on proper uses of PP systems for plumbing and hydronic applications; developing online calcula- tors for design of PP piping systems; and creating educational content about PP materials. PPI recently published a technical document, Proper Integration of Copper Tubing and Components with PP-R Piping Materials for Plumbing Applications. � www.plasticpipe.org


www.pipeandprofile.com


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