On Thursday, 6 June 2024, Villa Arconati hosted the annual Members Assembly of Amaplast - the national trade association affiliated with Confindustria representing approximately 170 manufacturers of machinery, equipment, and moulds for plastics and rubber. On this occasion, the association’s leadership was renewed with the election of new members:
- General Council, with the election of Luna Artico (Friul Filiere), Alessandro Balzanelli (F.B. Balzanelli ), Michele Bandera (Costruzioni Meccaniche Luigi Bandera), Alessandra Bosco (Inglass), Gianfranco Cattapan (Plastic systems), Maria Grazia Colombo (BFM), Giovanna Franceschetti (Gefran), Gianni Luoni (Elba), Fabiola Plebani (Mast) for the 2024-2026 term
- Board of Arbitrators, with the election of Erica Canaia (FIMIC), Carlo Cominelli (ITIB Machinery), Andrea Fantozzi (MOSS), Valeria Giacomoni (SICA), Aldo Zaffaroni (Zaffaroni for the 2024-2028 term
- Board of Auditors, with the election of Gianni Cazzulo (chartered accountant), Claudia Cribiù (Crizaf), Roberta Rivi (Rivi Magnetics) for the 2024-2028 term
During his speech, President Massimo Margaglione made remarks about the performance of the Italian industry of machinery, equipment, and moulds for plastics and rubber. Drawing on data from the association’s research centre, he observed that, despite a challenging global environment, the sector had seen growth of 2.8% in 2023. Although this increase was less pronounced than in the previous two years, it brought the value of production to a record 4.8 billion euros. Exports remain the main driving force with an 11% increase compared to 2022, solidifying Italy’s position as the world’s third-largest exporter, following China and Germany.
The assembly endorsed their commitment to the federative project that led to the founding of Confindustria Machinery Federation, for ceramics, wood, plastics and rubber, and packing and packaging. Alongside Amaplast, this federation includes:
- Acimac - Association of Italian Manufactures of Machinery and Equipment for Ceramics
- Acimall - Italian Woodworking Technology Association
- Ucima - Italian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers’ Association
The goal is to pool the skills and experiences of each association to expand and further improve the quality of the services offered to member companies.
The newly formed Federation represents over 1,300 companies, with a workforce approaching 70,000 employees, and a total revenue surpassing 19 billion euros.
Vice Presidents Gabriele Caccia and Barbara Ulcelli recapped the initiatives undertaken by Amaplast over the past year, with particular emphasis on the GreenPlast 2023 fair. They also provided details regarding upcoming plans, highlighting the preparations for GreenPlast 2025 (Milan, 27–30 May 2025, once again as part of The Innovation Alliance).
In closing, journalist, author, and columnist for Corriere della Sera Federico Rampini delivered a speech outlining the macroeconomic and political trends shaping the global landscape, with a focus on conflicts, upheavals, risks, and opportunities.
Sector overview
According to the analyses conducted by the MECS-Amaplast research centre, the Italian industry for machinery, equipment, and plastics and rubber moulds closed 2023 with growth of 2.8% despite the challenging global context marked by conflicts, inflationary pressures, and high interest rates. This increase, though more modest compared to that of the preceding two years, propelled production to an unprecedented record of 4.8 billion euros.
