Despite slower growth, the sector represented by Acimac has seen a small 0.9% increase over 2022. Export sales totalled €1.72 billion. Chairman Paolo Lamberti commented: “Despite the challenging economic environment, the sector has continued its growth”.
In 2023, the Italian ceramic machinery and equipment industry saw its sales revenue climb to a new record high of €2.373 billion, continuing its trend of year-on-year growth. However, the growth rate of +0.9% marked a notable slowdown compared to the significant increases of +39% in 2021 and +14% in 2022. Last year’s more modest rise reflects a mixed performance, with export sales up by +1.8% while domestic sales experienced a slight decline of -1.2%. Despite this, the industry’s performance exceeded expectations, surpassing the preliminary year-end estimate of €2.31 billion.
In 2023, the industry saw a small increase in the number of active companies to a total of 138, one more than in 2022. However, employment in the sector experienced a minor decline, with 7,281 employees, marking a 0.6% decrease from the previous year.
These figures were obtained from the 32nd annual National Statistical Survey for the industry published by the MECS – Acimac Research Centre.
International markets
In 2023, Italian companies achieved a record-breaking export turnover of €1.72 billion, the highest figure since records began. Exports accounted for 72.7% of total revenues, marking a year-on-year increase of 1.8%.
Despite a 27% decline in export sales to €387 million, the European Union remained the largest market for Italian ceramic machinery and equipment in 2023. South America climbed to second place with imports of €302 million (+38%). Asia, excluding China but including countries like India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Bangladesh, secured third place with sales of €296 million, up 14% from 2022. Following behind were the Middle East, North America, Eastern Europe, Africa, East Asia (comprising China and Taiwan) and Oceania.
The Italian domestic market
In 2023, Italian domestic sales remained essentially stable at €648 million, a small 1.2% decline compared to the €657 million recorded in 2022.
Client sectors
But the most significant result of the 2023 survey was the distribution of revenue across different client sectors. Sales to the ceramic tile industry saw a slight decrease of 1.3%, dropping to €1.99 billion, while sales to the brick and roof tile industry grew by 24% to €134.6 million and sales to the sanitaryware industry increased by 8% to €118 million.
Sales by machinery type
The variations in turnover distribution across the various types of machinery include declines in sales of forming machinery (down 14% on 2022 to €407 million), moulds and dies (-4%), firing machinery (-14%) and finishing equipment (-5%). This contrasted with significant growth in other sectors, including raw materials preparation machinery (€418 million, +15%), drying machinery (+13%) and storage and handling machinery (+26%).
Workforce
In 2023, the number of employees working in the sector fell to 7,281, a 0.6% decline on the 7,325 of 2022.
The outlook for 2024
According to the Statistical Survey, only 28.3% of Italian business leaders are optimistic about business growth this year. In contrast, 31% anticipate stability, while 40% express pessimistic views regarding their business prospects.
But despite the prevailing uncertainty that dampens optimism about future prospects, it is still possible to make predictions based on the expected performance of Acimac’s main client sector, the ceramic tile industry. Despite the further decline anticipated in 2024, the MECS Study Centre predicts that the ceramic tile sector will see more than half a percentage point growth in real terms (+0.6%) from 2024 to 2027. This expansion will be strongest in terms of sales to Africa and Oceania and, to a lesser extent, to the Middle East and non-EU Europe.
“A slowdown but not a contraction”
“The consolidated figures have essentially confirmed the preliminary projections and set another all-time record, but there’s little to celebrate given the significant slowdown in the sector’s growth curve,” said Acimac Chairman Paolo Lamberti. “The 2023 performance appeared to be the prelude to a decrease in turnover, which we are indeed experiencing in 2024. However, the Italian ceramic machinery industry’s adaptability has enabled it to offset declines in some export markets with growth in others, while also compensating for slower tile machinery sales with robust growth in other client sectors, notably heavy clay and sanitaryware. The ongoing conflict on Europe’s doorstep is exacerbating geopolitical uncertainties, and the high interest rates continue to impact not only Acimac member companies but also their customers. We expect 2024 to be a challenging year, but remain committed to advancing our technological leadership and delivering increasingly sophisticated technologies to the global ceramic industry.”