China is an important target market for Italian exports of plastic and rubber machinery. After reaching some peaks in the previous years, it has stabilized between 11 to 12 billion euros since 2004. In particular, in 2008, it reached a value of approximately 10.4 billion euros. China actually became Italy's 7th largest export destination country, accounting for 4.24% of the share.
In addition to general types of machinery, according to the customs statistics in 2008, the most important plastic processing equipment that Italy sold to China were calenders and laminators, accounting for about 14% of the total amount, followed by blow molding machines, which accounted for 8% of the share.
From 2007-2008, Italian plastic machinery formed a positive balance.
The Italian plastics and rubber industry ranks among the top in the world in terms of both production and exports.
According to data obtained by Assocomaplast's statistical department, the trade surplus in 2007 exceeded 2 billion euros. Compared to the previous year, production increased by 9%, and exports grew by 15%.
Just from the statistics of member companies, after a brief pause from 2005 to 2006, employment in the 2006-2007 fiscal year grew by 1.6%.
Maintaining the momentum of export growth mainly relied on sales to emerging markets, such as Russia (an increase of 90.4% compared to 2006) and Turkey (growth of 19%), while exports to traditional trading partners also increased, such as Germany (growth of 22%), France (growth of 11.1%), Spain (growth of 5.3%). Exports to the United States, despite the negative impact of the devaluation of the dollar, still grew by 4.2%.
Close commercial relations between Italian machinery manufacturers and Chinese plastic product factories began in the 1980s. This will be proven again when Italy participates as a group in the Chinaplas International Rubber & Plastic Exhibition held in Guangzhou from May 18-21, 2009. More than 20 Italian exhibitors will showcase their innovative products, with a net exhibition area exceeding 700 square meters. This Italian exhibition group is jointly organized by Assocomaplast and the Italian Trade Commission (ICE), sharing an information desk in Hall 4.1.
Based on the good development momentum in 2008, the majority of Italian manufacturers have already secured orders covering their production capacity for the first half of 2009. The order trends for almost all sub-sectors (injection molding machines, extruders, blow molding machines, recycling equipment, etc.) in the first two months of 2009 remain favorable. However, it is difficult to make predictions for the second half of the year, especially considering the potential impact of the crisis in the U.S. on this market, and taking into account the importance of the dollar region for Italian manufacturing.