Italian packaging machine manufacturing continues to grow
The Italian automatic packaging and wrapping machinery market continues to flourish, increasing exponentially year after year and recording a total turnover of €9.229 billion during 2023, which marks an 8% rise against the previous year – and after 2021 and 2022, this is the third record in a row.
This data was reported by Mecs – Ucima Research Centre in its 12th National Statistical Survey, which provides a snapshot of the industry’s performance every year. 594 companies were surveyed, with employees amounting to 38,219.
Ucima noted that 78.7% of the revenues came from international markets (for a total of €7.262 billion), and 21.3% nationally (amounting to €1.967 billion).
The international markets amounted to €2.71 billion in sales, with the European Union the main target area for machines made in Italy, making up 37.3% of all exports. Asia comes second with a turnover of €1.47 billion, representing 20.3% of the industry’s total international sales. Third place, meanwhile, was held by North America, with sales amounting to €1.25 billion, followed by non-EU Europe (€651 million), South America (€583 million), and Africa and Oceania recording €456 and €135.8 million respectively.
Sales in the Italian market remained essentially stable, making up 22.6% of the turnover, and the year closed at €1.9 billion.
Breaking down turnover according to the various customer sectors, 2023 confirmed the predominant position of the food and beverage industry, which accounted for 57.1% of total revenues. The two sub-sectors of this industry also confirmed their individual leaderships in the ranking: In 2023, food was the top-ranking customer sector, encompassing 30.9% (€2.856 billion) of the total turnover, with an export intensity of 74.5%. The beverages sector takes second place, representing 26.2% of total revenues. 83.3% of sales in this segment are destined for international markets.
The primary packaging machine family remained dominant with 52.4% of turnover, followed by the end-of-line, labelling, and ancillary equipment segment (27.2%) and secondary packaging (which takes up the remaining 20.4%).
The companies that manufacture packing and packaging machinery remain concentrated along the regional thoroughfare called Via Emilia, forming an area that its now known as Packaging Valley, although other production districts are also located in Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto and Tuscany.
In 2023, the number of people employed in the market grew by 1.2%, rising from 37,753 (2022) to 38,219 (2023).
“Essentially, the aggregate data has confirmed the picture painted by the preliminary figures, demonstrating how our industry and the entire Italian supply chain have established a method that guarantees reliability and innovation,” stated chair of Ucima Riccardo Cavanna.”Our companies keep growing and setting themselves new challenges, all the while increasingly pioneering solutions that ensure they retain their global leadership. As regards the domestic market, the introduction of the Italian law decree implementing Industry 5.0 provisions will give impetus to new investments and drive growth in the Italian market.”
