The injection molding machine sales have shown an upswing in the US during 2012 compared to 2011, according to the latest statistics by Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI).
As per the data reported by SPI's Committee on Equipment Statistics, the year 2012 saw the orders of nearly 3,307 injection molding machines in the country, up 16% over the order level of 2011, reported Plastics News.
Besides, the segment also edged out other segments such as extruders and blow molding machines in the current year, which either remained flat or declined.
The new orders of all-electric machines rose 12% while sales of hydraulic versions went up 17%, the report revealed.
Economist Bill Wood was quoted by the website as predicting that injection moulding machines segment will post gains of 6-8% to 3,500 units and that shipments would grow 8% to 3,300 machines in 2013.
He said that extrusion machinery seemed to be at a cyclical bottom in 2012 and is predicted to catch up in 2013 supported by construction sector recovery.
Wood forecasts that plastics volume will grow 5% in 2013, while capacity utilization, which averaged about 79% in the fourth quarter of 2012, is anticipated to touch 82% by the end of 2013.
In the fourth quarter of 2012, new orders of all-electric machines grew 12%, and orders for horizontal machines went up 17%, while vertical press orders slipped 27%.
