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In this Edition September 2011 |
LEAD FEATURE |
COMPANY NEWS |
MATERIALS NEWS |
MACHINERY NEWS |
ENVIRONMENT NEWS |
INJECTION MOULDING ASIA |
RUBBER JOURNAL ASIA |
 ELECTRONIC ISSUE |
PRA September 2011 Electronic Issue Now Available |
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Machinery News
European associations gung-ho about industry
I
n spite of the dim economic outlook for China, both the German and Italian plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers have reported higher machine sales to China, albeit based on last year's results.According to the VDMA, the German Plastics and Rubber Machinery Association, last year saw a robust recovery in foreign deliveries by German plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers. However, in spite of the annual growth of 25.6%, exports fell far short of the record achieved in 2008. "There is a chance that the gap may of course close again this year," said Ulrich Reifenhäuser, Chairman of VDMA, adding that German export deliveries had risen by 46.5% by the middle of 2011.
China ranked first with a 67% increase, followed by the US with 60%, India with 95%, Russia with 80.1%, Mexico with 96.8% and Turkey with 87.3%. The industry's sales were up 35% in the first half of 2011. "Based on the current forecast sales will rise by 18% over the year as a whole," said Thorsten Kühmann, Managing Director of the Association. "However, in the light of the figures for the year to date, growth may in fact top the 20% mark. The industry as a whole will therefore reach its all-time high again and is even set to exceed it."
The positive sales trend is expected to continue in 2012. The industry's new orders were up by a further 23% in the first six months of 2011, with orders from customers in Germany rising by 21% and those from abroad by 24%.
Meanwhile, Assocomaplast, the Italian machinery trade association is conveying a feel-good message to the industry, with its latest report indicating higher exports, which will top EUR2.3 billion by the end of the year. Production is expected to rise 11.1%, while the domestic market will grow 6.7%.
The sector posted a 22% increase in the first half of 2011, compared to the same period last year, reaching an estimated value of EUR1.1 billion. The association says that the country still holds its second position in the world exports of plastics and rubber machinery (with a share of 11%), after Germany.
China has eased its way up as the second export destination for Italian machines, followed by France, US and Poland, while Germany still ranks first (15% share).