The Italian packaging technology sector has reached a new milestone, achieving a record turnover of €9.5 billion in 2024, according to preliminary figures from the Mecs-Ucima Research Centre. This 3.5% increase from 2023 marks the fourth consecutive record-breaking year, underscoring the sector’s resilience and its pivotal role in the national economy.
Exports remain the primary driver of this growth, accounting for €7.5 billion, or roughly 80% of total turnover. Key markets such as Africa and Oceania (+10.3%), Asia (+3.3%), and the European Union (+6.1%) have shown robust demand. Significant gains were also recorded in Mexico (+18.8%) and Spain (+11.1%). Meanwhile, the domestic market saw a modest but meaningful growth of 2.5%, reaching €2 billion.
A Strong Foundation for 2025
With 7.6 months of production already secured, the sector is poised for further growth in 2025, with projected revenues of €9.6 billion. However, industry players are cautiously optimistic, given ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and anticipated changes to government incentives.
Riccardo Cavanna, Chairman of Ucima, highlighted the industry’s performance: “The technological excellence of our companies has driven success through a challenging 2024. While exports remain the backbone, we aim to strengthen the domestic market, leveraging tools like the Industry 5.0 plan. Yet, the limitation on Industry 4.0 incentives in 2025 presents hurdles. Despite these challenges, the sector’s resilience and focus on innovation, particularly in artificial intelligence, provide a strong foundation for future growth.”
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
As Italy continues to cement its position as a global leader in packaging technology, companies face mounting regulatory pressures. The sector has urged the government to extend and revise incentives to better align with industry needs. Cavanna further noted that such measures would be critical for sustaining momentum and fostering innovation.
Despite these challenges, the sector remains committed to maintaining its global leadership through technological advancements and strategic market engagement. With an impressive track record and positive outlook for 2025, the Italian packaging machinery industry is well-positioned to navigate both opportunities and obstacles.
