In contrast to other industrial sectors, at this time of complexity – with component shortages overcome but with persistently high energy costs and freight transport issues – the Italian market scenario for manufacturers of machines for printing, package printing and converting is showing positive signs and underlining its resilience.

According to Acimga, the sector ended 2023 with turnover of 3,050 million euros, an increase of 3.6% compared to 2022. Growth was driven by domestic shipments (+4.8%), but there was also positive data for exports (+2.7%), which increased by almost 50 million euros compared to the previous year, just falling short of the 1,800 million mark and almost hitting the record figure of 2018. The USA cemented its position as the main destination market for Italian exports, while the European Union remains the largest destination area for the sector and recorded growth of 15.1% on 2022.

Initial estimates for the first quarter of 2024 and provisional data for the current year as a whole are also positive, showing signs of continued general growth, with an increase in exports.

While the package printing segment is performing positively, the commercial, graphic and paper converting segments – i.e. offset & digital machines – are undergoing a particular phenomenon in Italy.

According to Argi, the 2022 surge in sales was heavily influenced by Industry 4.0-related tax breaks and incentives, and its impact accounted for the rebound effect in 2023. The highly attractive tax benefits have led to the upgrading of pools of printing and converting machines, concentrating investments in the Industry 4.0 area, so much so that the rebound effect is much stronger in offset machines, having focused on systems where the tax relief could have the greatest impact.

However, 2023 saw offset sales far exceed the 2018, 2019 and 2021 figures: from 2021 to 2023, revenues were 60% higher than sales in the previous three-year period.

For Digital Printing Machines, meanwhile, there was a fall of just under 10% compared to 2022. However, it is interesting to note that the drop in turnover deriving from the sale of machines (normally referred to as 'non-recurring revenues') fell by only just over 2%, while 'recurring revenues’, i.e. arising from services and consumables, saw a heavier fall (-15%).

The market for digital label printing, meanwhile, registered a continuous positive growth trend, at around 8% year-on-year over the past three years. The market segment of machines with printing speeds of over 20 meters per minute is experiencing the steadiest growth.

Lastly, after suffering a fall in 2020, the plate market missed out on the rebound enjoyed by other segments. Indeed, the natural decline in the number of square meters of plates sold has continued, indicating a downsizing in printing volumes that continues to affect the commercial printing market in particular.