Packaging machines accelerating for the fourth consecutive year

Italian manufacturers of packaging and wrapping machinery continue to rack up year-on-year successes: +9% in 2024 compared to 2023, which in turn had reported +8%. Exports remain the driving and decisive factor for turnover (+10%), but the situation is also evolving positively on the domestic market (+5.2%).

There is no stopping the rapid progress of Italian packaging and wrapping machine manufacturers, which also reached a new historic milestone in 2024, demonstrating strong competitiveness globally. Once again, it was exports that were the major driver for growth, coming in at 79.4% of total turnover, accounting for about 8 billion: a jump of 10%. Respectable growth was also achieved on the domestic market, where the sector generated more than €2 billion (+5.2%), accounting for 20.6% of total sales. Overall, turnover exceeded 10 billion, up from 9.2 billion recorded in 2023 (+9%). 
The data were released by the Mecs - Ucima Study Centre in the 13th National Statistical Survey, which provides an annual snapshot of the performance of the industry, consisting of 619 companies and 40,503 employees, up 2,300 (+6%).

Export performance in the various geographical areas

With €700 million more than in 2023, exports also recorded significant growth in 2024, generating an impressive €7.989 billion. 
The podium of the geographical areas, all of which recorded rises, remains unchanged. With 2.9 billion in revenues (2.7 in 2023), the European Union remains the main destination area for Italian-made machinery, absorbing 35.8% of all exports. This is followed by Asia, with 1.6 billion, 20% of the industry's total international performance. In third place is North America, with 1.3 billion. The top three are followed by non-EU Europe (€768 million), South America (€730 million), Africa and Oceania, standing at €573 and 122 million respectively.
Sales on the Italian market, on the other hand, remained largely stable (+0.2%) at €1.9 billion, a 22.6% share of total sales.  
These results show that Italian technology maintains its leadership position on the global landscape, and has succeeded in overcoming increasing geopolitical and trade uncertainties. Thanks to the reach of the large domestic subcontracting network, which makes it possible to remain competitive in terms of price and technology, the sector is expected to be able not only to thrive in continental Europe, but also to compete in markets further afield and in those where restrictions and trade barriers will be present.

Major exporting countries

With a 22.4% share, Italy places second, just behind Germany (24.8%), in the ranking of the 10 largest countries exporting packaging machinery. In third place is China, with 11.6%, followed by the United States with 4.5%, just ahead of the Netherlands (4.4%). France, Spain, Switzerland, Japan and Canada follow, with smaller shares of 3.5%, 2.7%, 3.1%, 3% and 1.6% respectively.

The Food sector maintains its leadership

Among the sectors supplied, sales of machinery in the food sector remain in first place, accounting for 31% (€3,120 million, compared to 2,856 million in 2023) of total sales, up 9.2%, followed by beverage (25.1% incidence) with 2,523 million, up 4.5% on the previous year. This is followed by the tissue, tobacco and other sectors with €1,923 million (+12.2%) and pharmaceuticals, standing at €1,744 million (+16.8%).  Cosmetics, on the other hand, dropped 4.1% to 389.8 million, while chemicals closed at a steady 359.4 million (-0.1%).

Turnover by production type

The primary packaging machinery family remains at the top of the list, with 53% of the turnover (+10.1%), followed by the end-of-line, labelling and ancillary equipment segment (27.1% on turnover) and secondary packaging (+6.6% over 2023), which absorbs the remaining 19.9%. The top category is Forming-Filling-Sealing Machines (FFS) and Thermoforming Machines with a value of 2.24 billion (80.7% made abroad), up 10.2%.

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.

“The results are positive, but uncertainties and reduced investment momentum are causing concern"
“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, unstable 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”.