Ceramic machinery: 45% growth in turnover in 2021

According to the preliminary figures compiled by the MECS - Acimac Research Centre, the sector’s year-end turnover will rise to €2,145 million, 45% up on 2020. Almost 6 months of production is guaranteed in 2022

2021 has been a year of recovery for the Italian ceramic machinery and equipment industry, bringing a 45% growth in sales to €2,145 million.

The Italian market has performed strongly, gaining 58% with respect to the previous year to reach a total of €623 million. However, exports continue to make up the lion’s share of the total with a value of €1,522 million, up 40% on 2020.

These are some of the preliminary figures published by the MECS-Acimac (Italian Ceramic Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers’ Association) Research Centre.

This year the domestic market has received a boost from the National Transition Plan 4.0, while the international market has benefited from a cyclical recovery in the sector following two years of modest investment. However, the return of industrial plants to full capacity has been accompanied by an increase in production costs. Companies face soaring raw materials costs, higher prices and delayed deliveries of components, more expensive land and sea transport, and a disproportionate rise in the cost of energy for operating factories.

This situation is impacting companies’ turnovers in the final months of the current year and risks undermining Italy’s overall economic recovery.

The sector has already received orders corresponding to 5.5 months of production in 2022.

“Following the signs of recovery that we first saw a year ago, our expectations have been fulfilled in 2021,” comments Acimac Chairman Paolo Mongardi. “It is a truly exceptional result but one that will be difficult to replicate in 2022, given the different fundamentals. Despite the 6 months of production assured by existing orders, we believe that a slowdown in the sector’s growth is inevitable. We are also deeply concerned about the 30% increase in production costs, which are no longer sustainable for companies. Our association is working to secure urgent systemic measures to support businesses and enable them to benefit fully from the current productive and economic recovery without facing further difficulties.”