Upbeat outlook from Italy's Assocomaplast

ISTAT national statistics suggest imports fell 4% and exports 1.7% in the first quarter of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009. In 2009, exports fell by at least 26% every month compared to 2008, showing a considerable slow down in the industry’s decline, says Assocomaplast.

The association also points out lower declines in exports in each of the months in the first quarter 2010 compared with the same month in 2009, with January down by 6.4%, February by 9.6% and March by 7%.

Flexographic machinery exports, representing 5.5% of total exports value, rose by an impressive 35% in the first quarter 2010. Injection moulding machinery exports, 3.7% of the total, were also up, by 8.3%, as were those for blow moulding machinery, 7.1% of the total and up by 8.2%. Moulds, representing the largest share (33%), did less well with exports increasing 1.3%.

Assocomaplast has carried out a survey of its member companies and 45% of respondents say they expect turnover to increase in the second half 2010 compared with the first half 2010. Some 43% expect no change.

Comparing June with May this year, 34% of respondents expect an increase in turnover. Another 45% say there will be no change.