Plastics and rubber machinery makers in both Germany and Italy recorded strong export performances for the first half of 2017, with Germany posting a 3.8% growth year on year and Italy 14.6%.
According to the German plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers’ association VDMA, the sector saw 1H exports grow by 3.8% year-on-year to €2.4bn. The strongest markets were the US, up by 4.2% to €402.2m, and China, where sales increased by 19.2% to €310.7m. This followed a decline in sales in China in 1H 2016, largely due to German machinery makers setting up their own production locations there. Favorable exchange rates also boosted this year’s China figures. Mexico was also a strong export market in 1H, up by 26.4% to €137.4m, and there was also good growth in the smaller markets of Russia, up 43.4% to €59.3m, and Brazil, up 78.2% to €35.3m.
However, exports to EU countries were down by 6.1% to €848m due to weaker performances in the important markets of Poland, France and Italy.
Meanwhile, Italy’s plastics and rubber machinery association Amaplast said 1H exports were up by 14.6%. Sales within the main EU market were 20% up on 1H 2016 and in Russia more than doubled from €21m to €50m. The Americas were 10% up, mainly due to a strong performance in Brazil. NAFTA countries saw only modest growth while Asia was stagnant, with China 12% down. Saudi Arabia and Iran were also weak.