NEWS
Exports push Italy’s machine sales to highest ever level
Sales of Italian plastics and rubber machinery in 2023 could set a new record. Figures from trade body Amaplast and the MECS Statistical Study Center estimate full-year sales exceeding €4.8 billion – a rise of around 3% compared to 2022. This is mainly due to strong exports
– which rose by 13% in the period between January and September 2023. At the same time, imports were up by 6%. Exports, which make up more than
70% of production, showed strong growth for all types of machinery for the year, including extruders (12%). Europe remains the primary destina-
tion, with a share of 56%. Germany (+7%), France (+23%) and Spain (+19%) saw strong results – as did two
Italian market for plastics and rubber machinery (millions of euros)
Production Exports Imports
2022 2023 (est.) 4,670 3,250 1,120
Domestic market 2,540 Trade balance
2,130
4,820 3,410 1,160 2,570 2,250
Source: Amaplast-MECS Statistical Study Center
relatively new smaller markets – Roma- nia (+71%) and the Czech Republic (+38%). There was also a 61% increase in deliveries to Russia. Exports to the Americas rose 24%, especially to Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Peru. However, exports to the Far East saw a 12% decline due to contractions in China (-15%) and India (-6%). In addition, there were declines in South Korea (-61%), Japan (-47%) and Taiwan
(-68%). Higher sales to Thailand (+140%) and Indonesia (+81%) were not enough to overcome the slump, as both are relatively small markets. Despite the sales rise, Italian firms have seen a downturn in recent months – for a variety of reasons including component shortages, fluctuating raw material prices and rising inflation. “To address market the challenges,
it is increasingly important to imple- ment digital development plans,” said Massimo Margaglione, president of Amaplast. “Another rapidly evolving field, which companies are having some difficulties embracing, is generative artificial intelligence – which offers application potentials that have yet to be fully grasped.” �
www.assocomaplast.org
One Rock now owns Constantia
Above: Construction is underway at Gabriel-Chemie’s plant at at Nyíregyháza IMAGE: GABRIEL-CHEMIE
Gabriel-Chemie announces €6m expansion in Hungary
Austrian masterbatch producer Gabriel-Chemie broke ground on a 2,200m2 expansion of its plant at Nyíregyháza in Hungary last month. The €6m investment
project, which is expected to complete before the end of 2024, will double its
8
production area and provide space for additional extrusion lines. It also includes 800m2
of new
office space. The company has manufactured masterbatch- es in Hungary since 2003. “We believe this invest- ment is a strong statement of
FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | January/February 2024
commitment, not only to increase the capacity of our Hungarian plant but also to provide the foundation for future growth of the Gabriel- Chemie Group,“ said Andreas Berger, chief financial operating officer at the company. �
www.gabriel-chemie.com
Private equity firm One Rock Capital Partners has completed its acquisition of flexpack manufacturer Constantia Flexibles from Wendel and other share- holders. Based in Vienna, Austria,
Constantia employs more than 7,150 people at 28 sites in 15 countries. “Demand for flexible
packaging is increasing, and we continue to provide leading products for our customers’ growing needs,” said Pim Vervaat, CEO at Constantia Flexibles. �
www.cflex.com
www.filmandsheet.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
