NEWS
North American machine sales decline in final quarter of 2023
Sales of plastics machinery in North America saw a sharp decline in the fourth quarter of last year. Initial estimates for the
quarter indicate sales of just over US$348 million – a near-20% fall compared to the same period in 2022. However, the figure is almost identical to that from Q3 in 2023, says the Plastics Industry Association’s Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES).
In primary plastics machinery, single-screw extruders saw a decrease of more than 19% compared to the previous quarter – but a near-5% increase com- pared to Q4 2022. Twin- screw extruder sales fell by 19% compared to Q3 – and by nearly 24% in compari- son with Q4 2022. For comparison, injection moulding sales rose nearly 4% on the previous quarter, though declined by more than 21% over the full year.
Primary plastics machinery shipments Source: Plastics Committee on Equipment Statistics
“Last year saw minimal
fluctuations in quarterly plastics machinery ship- ments,” said Perc Pineda, chief economist at the association. “The modest upturn observed in the second quarter was short- lived, with shipments remaining steady until the year’s end.”
He said the decline in US manufacturing activity, plus a high-interest-rate environ- ment, contributed to a slowdown in business invest- ment spending – including
in plastics machinery. The latest CES quarterly survey shows rising confi- dence in the market, with nearly 83% of respondents expecting conditions to remain steady or improve over the next 12 months. In the previous quarter, just 56% of participants ex- pressed this view. US exports of plastics equipment in Q4 reached US$284m, a rise of 5% compared to the previous quarter. At the same time, exports rose nearly 20%
year-on-year. Mexico and Canada remained the top export markets, accounting for a combined share of more than 62%. Half of the exports (around US$124m), went to Mexico, while around one-fifth (19%) of total exports went to Canada (totalling US$53m). Overall, imports saw a near-12% increase com- pared to Q3 – reaching nearly US$428m – but fell around 14% year-on-year. “While the unexpected 2.5% US economic growth in 2023 averted a recession, signs of recovery may emerge in 2024,” said Pineda.
“Sustained consumer spending could prevent economic deterioration, especially if labour markets stay healthy. As interest rates begin to return to normal, business investment – including in equipment – may reverse course.” �
www.plasticsindustry.org
Chinaplas back in Shanghai after six years
The Chinaplas exhibition returns to Shanghai this year – follow- ing a six-year absence. The show, held on 23-26 April, will occupy all 15 exhibition
halls of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Hongqiao, Shanghai. The organiser, Adsale, expects to host more than 4,000 exhibitors in a total exhibition area of over 380,000 sq m. Following several years of strict regulation – in terms of entry – China has granted visa-free entry to several countries, includ- ing France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. It has also introduced measures to simplify the visa application process, in an attempt to make attendance easier and more convenient. �
www.chinaplasonline.com
4 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | March 2024
www.filmandsheet.com
IMAGE: ADSALE
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