Packaging machine manufacturers racking up successes, recording over €10 billion turnover in 2024
New record for the industry shows revenues reaching €10.06 billion. Exports booming (+10%). Ucima chair Riccardo Cavanna stated: “A wide-spread network extending to far-off markets, plus the value chain are two key assets that helped us deliver these results, despite custom duties and international tensions”
2024 marked another record-breaking year for the Italian automatic packaging and wrapping machinery industry, with turnover reaching over €10 billion for the first time ever. Total revenues reached €10.06 billion, marking a rise of 9% against the previous year.
The data, which emerged from the 13th National Statistical Survey conducted by the Mecs Research Centre, was reported at the Ucima Annual Members’ Meeting. The research examined 619 companies in the industry, which employ 40,503 people (+6% on 2023).
The international markets
The propensity for export demonstrated by Italian packaging companies was further consolidated in 2024, with foreign sales reaching €8 billion, equivalent to 79.4% of the total turnover, and a double-digit growth recorded on the previous year (+10%). Export growth of over 700 million further consolidated the global standing of Italian-made products, which continued to be appreciated for reliability, flexibility, and innovation. The destination rankings remain unchanged, with the European Union confirming its role as the main market for Italian packaging technologies, registering €2.9 billion in turnover and a 35.8% share of total exports. Next in the tables, Asia recorded a turnover of €1.6 billion (20.2%), followed by North America with 1.3 billion (16.6%), followed by non-EU Europe (€768 million), South America (€730 million), Africa (€573 million), and Oceania (€122 million).
The domestic market
The domestic market is also on the rise, showing an increase of +5.2% that has brought Italian turnover to over €2 billion (against €2.07 billion in 2024). The share of domestic sales stands at 20.6% of the total. The food industry remains the leading domestic customer sector, accounting for 36.8% of the market, followed by the beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
Customer industries: food and beverages still at the forefront
The packaging machinery industry once again demonstrated its cross-sector relevance in 2024, with demand spread across various production chains. The majority of the turnover comes from the food and beverage industries, which together account for 56.1% of total sales, with food coming in first with €3.12 billion (31% of total turnover), followed by beverages with €2.52 billion (25.1%). Third place is held by the industry that includes tissue paper, tobacco, and other segments, making up €1.92 billion, or 19.1% of the total. The pharmaceutical industry is also rocketing, recording a turnover of €1.74 billion (17.3%).
Turnover by production type
Primary packaging machines remain the leading source of turnover, accounting for 53% of the total. This result is driven in particular by forming-filling-closing (FFS) machines, which generated alone €2.24 billion - 22.3% of total turnover - marking a 10.3% surge. Second place is held by filling and metering machines, with a turnover of €1.90 billion (18.9%, +8.6%). Secondary packaging, which includes cartoning and case packing machines, stands at 19.9% of turnover, registering a growth of 6.6%.
Regional base: Emilia-Romagna is the industry’s driving force
Emilia region’s Packaging Valley reaffirms its role as the industry’s production hub. There are 211 companies based in Emilia-Romagna (34.1% of the national total), which generate 62.1% of the total turnover (over €6.2 billion) and employ over 22,300 people. Lombardy, Veneto, and Piedmont follow.
In terms of provinces, Bologna, Parma, Modena, and Rimini have confirmed their first four positions within the turnover rankings, while Treviso is fifth, Vicenza sixth, Reggio Emilia and Mantua seventh and eighth, respectively.
Growing workforce
In 2024, employees in the industry reached 40,503, marking a rise of 6% on 2023. New hires totalled 2,284.
Outlook for 2025
Focussing on the current year, companies in the industry remain cautiously optimistic. According to the survey conducted by the Mecs - Ucima Research Centre, 37.5% of businesses forecast a growth in turnover for 2025, while 45.8% expect sales to remain stable. Factors such as international instability, changing energy costs, and industrial policies across Europe are weighing on future prospects. However, confidence in the industry’s ability to innovate and consolidate its position on global markets remains high.
“We have reached a new, historic milestone” - declared Ucima chair Riccardo Cavanna - Breaking the €10 billion record provides further confirmation of the strength of our industry. Our extensive network, which reaches even the most far-off markets, and the value chain are key assets. Exports continue to grow, driven by reliable, competitive and flexible technologies. But we cannot ignore the critical issues that are looming on the horizon, such as wars, customs duties, instable energy prices, uncertain geopolitical balances, and a lack of clear industrial policies. All these factors could slow down new investments and curb the competitiveness of our companies. It is vital that we continue to put faith in Italian manufacturing and that a stable regulatory framework that fosters growth is guaranteed “
