Ucima: exports up (+1.5%), domestic market +4.5% in 2025
The Italian packaging machinery sector maintained its overall turnover in 2025, although a weaker investment climate and a complex global scenario weighed on new orders
Preliminary figures released by MECS - Ucima Research Centre show that the Italian packaging technology sector will close 2025 with broadly stable results compared to the previous year. This performance is in line with expectations, supported by the strong 2024 order backlog, which had already secured 7.6 months of production. Total turnover is estimated at €10.2 billion, a slight increase (+2.1%) compared to the €10 billion recorded in 2024. The sector once again confirms its position as a benchmark of technological excellence and one of the pillars of Italian exports, despite an increasingly uncertain global environment.
Exports remain the main driver of growth, reaching €8.1 billion, a modest but positive increase of +1.5% over the previous year. The domestic market, although smaller, also closed the year on a positive note at € 2.1 billion, up +4.5%.
Exports continue to account for around 78–80% of the industry's total turnover. However, the last quarter of the year recorded a marked slowdown in order intake. Companies report more cautious demand from international customers and a general deterioration in the investment climate. Trade tensions and new tariffs introduced by several major economies have intensified competitive pressure in foreign markets, while euro–dollar volatility has affected margins and sales planning. This is compounded by a still-fragile geopolitical environment - marked by ongoing conflicts and persistent disruptions in global supply chains - which continues to generate caution in industrial decision-making.
Riccardo Cavanna, Chairman of Ucima, commented: “2025 confirms the structural strength of our industry, but it also marks a turning point. The slowdown in orders observed over recent months is not merely the result of the current economic cycle; it reflects a deeper shift in global competitive dynamics. Trade tensions, currency volatility, conflicts and new forms of protectionism are reshaping the international industrial landscape and require companies to make rapid decisions, target their investments and strengthen their presence in strategic markets. In this context, the role of the European Union becomes crucial. As Ucima, we echo Confindustria’s call for European institutions to adopt industrial policies capable of safeguarding and enhancing the value of European manufacturing, protecting strategic technological supply chains and ensuring fair competitive conditions with non-EU players. This is not a call for closure, but for an industrial vision that recognizes the value of European innovation and supports it with adequate tools. The future competitiveness of our sector depends on our ability to accelerate in digitalization, sustainability, artificial intelligence and advanced services. These are pathways that require strong European coordination, continuous investment in skills, and an ongoing dialogue between companies and institutions. It is on this ground that we will defend our global position and turn today’s volatility into tomorrow’s growth opportunities".
