Italian ceramic machinery sees strong sales growth

The ceramic machinery manufacturers continue to surge ahead in global markets. According to preliminary figures published by the Research Department of Acimac (Italian Ceramic Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers’ Association), the industry is expected to close 2017 with further 8.8 percentage point growth to 2.205 billion euros.

Exports once again accounted for the majority of revenues (73.5% of the total). Export sales totalled 1.620 billion euros, 4.8% up on 2016.

However the best performance was in the Italian market. Thanks to the tax incentives offered by the Industry 4.0 Plan, domestic turnover has grown by 21.5% to the record figure of 585 million euros.

“Again this year the figures collected by our Research Department confirm the technological and commercial supremacy of our companies,” commented Acimac Chairman Paolo Sassi.

It is difficult to make forecasts for the coming year. “While the international markets are showing greater buoyancy, especially in terms of new investments for the production of large ceramic panels, the Italian market is expected to level out,” continued Sassi.

2018 will certainly be a year of innovation. “At Tecnargilla our companies will showcase new process and product technologies and once again demonstrate their ability to shape the future of ceramics,” concluded Sassi.