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According to preliminary data from the research division of the Italian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers’ Association (MECS-Ucima), the sector’s total turnover in 2020 reached €7.639 billion, a 5% decline compared to the record set in 2019.
Given the severe challenges posed by the dual impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and global economic slowdown, this outcome is unsurprising. Nevertheless, machinery for the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and home & personal care sectors continued to perform strongly.
Specifically, domestic sales by Italian packaging machinery manufacturers fell by 6.8% to €1.574 billion, while exports—which have historically been the industry’s primary revenue source—declined by 4.5% year-on-year to €6.065 billion.
“We anticipated this slowdown, yet our sector remains resilient and looks to the future with confidence,” said Matteo Gentili, President of Ucima. “We were well-prepared for the Covid-19 emergency and demonstrated our strength amid adversity. Our Industry 4.0 technologies enabled remote factory control, testing, and servicing, allowing us to maintain close relationships with customers worldwide. We are cautiously optimistic about a return to growth in 2021, while remaining mindful of competitive pressures and ongoing uncertainties caused by the pandemic in many markets.”
The Italian government’s National Industry 4.0 Plan, involving approximately €24 billion in investments, is expected to play a pivotal role in driving adoption of new technologies. Ucima welcomed this initiative, which will accelerate and enhance tax incentives for companies investing in digital transformation and advanced manufacturing solutions.
