MILAN, Italy—Italian rubber and plastics machinery makers are experiencing an outstanding year in foreign trade through the first three quarters of 2012, according to their trade association, Assocomaplast.
The organization of 165 manufacturers of plastics and rubber processing machinery and molds expect the full year's results to rival those of 2007, the best year ever, the association said. Production is expected to be worth $5.6 billion and exports more than $3.4 billion.
Assocomaplast said imports recorded a modest increase of 2 percent so far this year, which it called impressive nevertheless because of the prolonged crisis in the domestic market.