Italian machinery makers expect negative results for 2019

A negative year-end result is expected for the Italian plastics and rubber processing machinery industry as reiterated in the foreign trade data just published by ISTAT (Italian National Statistical Institute) for January-September, analysed by the Amaplast Studies Centre.

The statistics show a continuing slump in the two trade flows: -13.1% for imports (overall value of EUR645 million) and -8.5% for exports (just below EUR2.16 billion) with respect to the first nine months of 2018, said Amaplast (association for the Italian plastics and rubber machinery makers).

Extending to the previous quarterly results, the association observes “a downturn that is less accentuated for imports, which had fallen by nearly 17 points in June and 20 points in March”.

Exports, on the other hand, tended to seesaw: the September results represent a new worsening with respect to the -5% in June, which had partially shored up the losses of -8% in March.

The balance of trade remains fully positive – well over EUR1.5 billion – but nevertheless has contracted by 6%.

The many issues and unknowns characterizing the current world economic climate, compounded by the announced but as yet poorly defined legislative and fiscal measures aiming at reducing the use of plastics, have begun to affect the Italian machinery manufacturers, who are expecting negative year-end results across the board.