Based on the sample of companies monitored by the Mecs-Ucima research centre, the turnover of Italian packaging machine manufacturers remained in positive territory in the first quarter of 2021, with 9.2% growth over the same period in 2020. This growth is driven by the domestic market, which saw a 28.8% upturn, while foreign market growth is more moderate (+4.9%).

Order collection figures also saw further improvement in the first quarter of 2021, with an overall increase of 10.5% compared to the same period last year. Foreign demand grew by 4.5% and domestic demand by 43.2% in the first quarter. Behind this exceptional rebound there is also the effect of the national transition plan 4.0 extended to the whole of 2022.

Expectations for the coming months remain stable in both the domestic and foreign markets, with the outlook most positive in the Food, Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals sectors.

Source: UCIMA