The ceramic machinery sector confirms its focus on exports

International markets remained the most important outlet for the Italian ceramic machinery industry, accounting for 73.8% of total turnover. In spite of a 32.8% fall compared to 2008, the industry remained the world leader with an export turnover of 915.6 million euro. The European continent continued to be the key market for Italian technologies, accounting for 33.3% of total exports. Asia was in second place with 25.1%, but together with the Middle East (16%) it surpassed Europe to account for 41.1% of exports. America and Africa followed with 12.7% each.

The markets of Asia and Africa (in practice the Maghreb countries) were less affected by the international crisis, while China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, third in the export rankings, was the only area to grow (+29.9%), reaching a turnover of 125.1 million euro, 13.7% of the total. Countries classified as "Others Asia", including India, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam (fifth outlet market) generated a turnover of 104.5 million euro (-17.6%), 11.4% of the total. The African continent was in fourth place with 116.2 million euro (-22.1%) and a 12.7% share of the total.

In spite of a 32.2% fall over 2008, the European Union remained the leading export market for Italian ceramic technology at 242.1 million euro (26.4% of the total), followed by the Middle East (-33.8%), the second most important export region at 146.3 million euro (16% of the total).

South America was in sixth place at 81.7 million euro (-43.6%), equivalent to 8.9% of the total, followed by Eastern European countries, the area that suffered the greatest losses (it was the third largest export market in 2008) with a fall of 66.0% to a total turnover of 63.5 million euro (6.9% of total exports). Next was North America with a turnover of 35 million euro, 3.8% of the total and down by 55.2% from 2008. Lastly, exports to Oceania fell by 61.0% to 1.1 million euro.