VDMA, the association of German plastics and rubber machinery producers, has released its annual report stating that there was 5 percent growth in German plastics and rubber machinery manufacturers sales in 2015, with the industry expecting sales in 2016 to top 7 billion euros ($7.6 billion) for the first time.
Ulrich Reifenhäuser, the VDMA's chairman, said: “Twelve months ago we predicted 4 percent growth in industry sales, but with an actual rise of 5 percent the forecast was in fact exceeded. We now believe the trend will continue at the same high level in the year ahead.”
The association says that domestic sales were down in 2015, whilst orders from abroad were up, with overall incoming orders showing a rise of 6 percent year on year.
Thorsten Kühmann, the VDMA's managing director, said: “From January to September 2015, German deliveries abroad showed a positive trend, up 2.2 percent on the previous year. The export trend is dominated by deliveries to the countries of the EU; German plastics and rubber machinery was in particular demand in the four biggest markets, Poland, Italy, Great Britain and France.”
Whilst German sales decreased to Russia they increased to North America, with the US and Canada, Central America with Mexico, and South America with Brazil, Argentina and Columbia seeing growth.
India recorded strong growth although from a low base point but there was a drop in exports to China. Sales were down for Japan and Taiwan, although South East Asia saw a bigger than predicted increase.
The VDMA says it predicts German, European and global sales will continue to grow between 2015 and 2017 seeing an average annual growth rate of 2 percent. European machinery manufacturers are forecast to grow by 1.5 percent annually and the global plastics and rubber machinery industry by 3.2 percent.