In the first half of 2018, imports of plastic and rubber processing machinery in Italy increased by 23% year-on-year, in sharp contrast to the flat export performance.

A report released recently by Amaplast, an association of manufacturers of plastics and rubber processing machinery in Italy, said that despite a 7 percent decline in the first half of this year, the trade balance has remained at 1 billion euros. The association did not provide further detailed figures.

Amaplast attributed the import growth to renewed confidence in the Chinese market, which was driven by the Italian government's investment incentives.

According to Amaplast, in the first half of this year, imports of injection molding machines in Italy rose 31 percent year on year, while imports of blow molding machines rose 75 percent.

Among them, the largest increase in imports was flexographic printing machines, which rose 111 percent year-on-year.

The association said that the Italian packaging industry is booming. — Major consumers of plastic raw materials and processing machinery. — Is one of the main factors driving the improved performance of the industry.

Amaplast attributed the increase in imports to a return of confidence in the Chinese market

The Italian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Association (Ucima) reported an annual growth rate of more than 14 percent for local Italian packaging companies in 2017.

Germany maintained and significantly improved its leading position as an exporter of Italian machinery, widening the gap with its second-placed rival China.

Amaplast did not provide figures for this.

Moreover, Germany remained the main destination for Italian exports in this sector in the first half of the year. With 61% of Italian exports going to Europe, the region tops the list of destinations for Italian machinery exports. Russia's recovery appears to have lost some momentum in 2017, though, with exports down 32%.

Exports to the Americas remained positive, although the 7 percent increase in the NAFTA region was almost offset by an overall contraction in the Central and South American markets.

Asia and Oceania saw declines of 6 percent and 21 percent, respectively. The decline in Asia was mainly due to weaker sales in the Middle East.

In Africa, sales rose 23 percent on higher sales to both Mediterranean countries and sub-Saharan countries.

The Italian injection molding machine trade balance fell by 14 million euros in the first half of the year to negative territory, according to Amaplast.

" Orders from Amaplast member manufacturers were stable in July, showing a slightly improved trend compared to June 2018 and July 2017, which gives us reason to expect a rebound in production and exports in the final quarter of the year." Amaplast said.

Amaplast President Alessandro Grassi said the most recent end-of-period sentiment survey report, completed in early September, showed the economic sentiment index (more than doubled from a year ago).

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