Another year of growth (+8% compared to 2022) for Italian manufacturers of packaging and packaging machinery. Exports excel and reaches 7.2 billion euros in 2023 (+10.5% compared to the previous year). The domestic market records positive results too.
Packaging market, growing numbers
The Italian automatic packaging machinery industry marks, for the third consecutive year, significant growth. In 2023, the sector more than doubled the already excellent results of 2022, generating a turnover exceeding 9.2 billion euros (+8%), increasing the market share to 16% within Federmacchine.
This trend confirms the global leadership of Italian technology, capable of overcoming geopolitical and commercial challenges thanks to high productivity, plant efficiency, the widespread network of suppliers and the constant dialogue between company research and market demands. 78.7% of the turnover was achieved on foreign markets and 21.3% on the domestic market.
The photograph of the sector was taken by the Mecs – Ucima Study Center, which in the 12th National Statistical Survey analysed a sector with 594 companies and 38,219 employees.
Export orientation for the Italian packaging industry
Also in 2023, the export orientation of Italian producers remains solid. Foreign turnover grew to 7.2 billion 2022 (+10.5% compared to 2022).
The European Union remains the main outlet market (2.71 billion in revenues, 37.3% of total exports).
Asia follows with 1.47 billion euros (20.3%) and North America is in third place with 1.25 billion. Other markets include Non-EU Europe (651 million), South America (583 million), Africa and Oceania with 456 and 135.8 million euros respectively.
Sales on the domestic market remained almost unchanged (+0.2%), reaching 1.9 billion euros, equal to 22.6% of the overall turnover.
Food and primary packaging in the lead
The food sector confirms itself at the top of the ranking. Food-related sales maintain leadership, representing 30.9% of total turnover, with 2,856 million euros, up 5% on 2022. Beverage follows, which accounts for 26.2% of the total, reaching 2,415 million euros, with an increase of 13.9%.
Other sectors, such as tissue and tobacco machinery, contribute 1,699 million euros (+6.8%), while the pharmaceutical sector generates 1,492 million (+4.7%). Cosmetics and chemicals also show good results, with 406.6 million and 359.7 million euros (+7.6% and +19.3%, respectively).
As regards the type of production, primary packaging machines remain dominant with 52.4% of turnover, up by 13.1%. The end-of-line, labeling and auxiliary equipment segment represents 27.2% of the total, while B, up 3.4% compared to 2022, covers the remaining 20.4%. Forming – Filling – Closing (FFS) and Thermoforming machines prevail in the market, with a value of 2,033 million euros, up by 18.7%.