According to preliminary figures from the Research Department of ACIMAC (Italian Ceramic Machinery and Equipment Manufacturers’ Association), the Italian ceramic machinery industry is expected to close 2017 with an 8.8 percentage point growth to €2.2 billion (approximately $2.6 billion). Exports again accounted for the majority of revenues, with 73.5% of the total. Export sales totaled €1.6 billion (~ $1.9 billion), a 4.8% increase compared to 2016.

The best performance was in the Italian market. Due to tax incentives offered by the Industry 4.0 Plan, turnover in Italy grew by 21.5% to a record €585 million (~ $698.8 million).

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

For more information, visit www.acimac.it.