Total Exports for The Sector Increased by 10% to Compared with 2009

The Italian plastics and rubber machinery and equipment manufacturers association Assocomaplast said the sector saw production value increase by more than 9% in 2010 - higher than the 8% growth figure predicted in December last year. The association says overall production value, according to information from its 170 members, increased 9.1% to €3.6bn. "All five of the main indicators for the sector reveal decidedly positive trends, recovering the losses suffered in 2009 compared with the record year 2008, " says Assocomaplast. Imports increased 17.2% to €67m, while exports went up 9.7% to €2bn. "It is also worth mentioning that, while total exports for the sector increased by 10% to compared with 2009, those for core machinery – injection moulding presses, extrusion lines, blow moulding machines, etc – achieved an average increase of 14%, " says the association. "A 30% jump was posted by extrusion lines. " Germany was the most popular destination for exports (up 10% to €10m), while China came in second place. Exports to China rocketed 55% in 2010, giving this market at value of €30m. Source: European Plastics News