WILCO Automates High-Mix/Low-Volume Visual Inspection With The Launch Of EVO CAX
Designed for visual inspection of high-mix/low-volume pharmaceutical products, the EVO CAX 20 fully automates vial inspection within the smallest possible footprint. This innovative solution enhances production planning flexibility, particularly in clinical and small-scale environments, by providing consistent, high-quality visual inspection.
The EVO CAX 20 addresses longstanding challenges faced by pharmaceutical manufacturers in high-mix, low-volume production settings. Clinical and small-scale production requires high flexibility for product turnover while the intervals between batches can be difficult to bridge for human operators. The EVO CAX delivers 100% automated visual inspection efficiency with reliable and reproducible results at minimal space requirements. It’s an ideal solution for facilities constrained by space, suitable for both clinical and small-scale production environments.
Key Features
Small Footprint
Designed for minimal space, the EVO CAX seamlessly integrates into existing production environments. Its ideal size allows for scalability through a fleet concept as well as accompanying a product throughout its life cycle, from the laboratory to inline production through to reduced product volume before market withdrawal.
Quick Format Change
Featuring the WILCO OptiX fixed vision system, the EVO CAX eliminates the need for setup adjustments during format changes, enhancing operational efficiency.
Highest Flexibility
Capable of handling liquid and lyophilized (lyo) vials ranging from 2R to 30R at speeds up to 20 vials per minute, the EVO CAX supports swift product changes.
Fast Recipe Development Cycles
Equipped with AI-supported baselines, the EVO CAX accelerates the development and validation of new product recipes, ensuring rapid adaptation to varying production configurations.
Addressing Market Challenges
The clinical production of parenterals often encounters issues such as product variability, infrequent production batches, and small batch sizes. Manual Visual Inspection (MVI) requires extensive operator training and requalification, resulting in fluctuating inspection quality. The EVO CAX overcomes these challenges by consistently delivering high-quality inspection results during production runs spread over time, reducing the need for constant requalification and enabling economical production of small batches.
Innovative Design for High Performance
The EVO CAX is compact in size, but does not hold back on additional innovations and functionalities to improve inspection quality and usability while focusing on gentle products treatment:
Adapted Lighting: Reduced energy exposure to products, minimizing stress and preserving product integrity.
Human-Inspired Inspection: Gentle mechanical handling with robots reduces the need for fast vial spinning, further protecting products.
Turbidity and Color Inspection: Fully integrated color and turbidity measurement for less stress on products by reducing transport needs.
Operator Assistance: Guides operators through critical processes, such as line clearance, ensuring smooth and error-free operation.
The EVO CAX sets a new benchmark for visual inspection, delivering reproducibility, security, and stringent quality standards. Its advanced capabilities cater to the evolving needs of ATMP (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products) and C&G (Cell & Gene) product markets, offering a reliable alternative to manual inspection methods.
As the industrial momentum of “Make in India” accelerates its sweep across the global plastics landscape, the flagship Asian plastics exhibition, PLASTINDIA 2026, is set to open grandly at the Bharat Mandapam Exhibition Centre in New Delhi from February 5th to 10th, 2026. Under the theme “Bharat Next,” the exhibition will convene top global technological forces and industry leaders. As a pioneer in injection molding technology, Haitian International will make a significant appearance at Stand A-12, Hall 10, showcasing four integrated solutions and embarking on the industry’s future journey with partners worldwide.
Empowerment Through Technology: Integrated Value Delivery Rooted Locally
True empowerment begins with close listening and responsive action. As the world’s leading manufacturer of injection molding machines by sales volume, Haitian International holds a long-term commitment to and has deeply cultivated the Indian market. With established local production bases in Gujarat and Chennai, the company has built a comprehensive network for R&D, production, and service. These facilities are not distant “production bases”; they are extensions reaching out to local customers, ensuring faster response, closer support, and deeper understanding.
At this exhibition, Haitian will centrally display its forward-looking technological achievements and cutting-edge core machine portfolio. The focus will be on four sets of intelligent injection molding solutions designed for key sectors such as automotive, home appliances, and packaging. These solutions deeply integrate automation and precision molding technologies, offering the core advantages of high efficiency, stability, and reliability. They represent a panoramic view of Haitian’s “Intelligent Equipment + Digital Platform” integrated solution offering.
From customized injection molding machines tailored to India’s key industries to digital management systems that streamline the entire production workflow, each achievement embodies the deep integration of Haitian’s solutions with local needs. They are designed to tangibly help customers enhance production efficiency, optimize quality control, and reduce overall operational costs, ensuring technological value materializes in every production step.
Co-creating value means standing on the same ground of manufacturing, facing real challenges together. In India, Haitian International is dedicated to transcending the role of a mere supplier to become a trusted, long-term strategic partner for its customers. Leveraging its localized manufacturing and service system, Haitian ensures rapid response and efficient support for customer needs, providing end-to-end assistance—from production optimization to ongoing operation and maintenance.
During the exhibition, Haitian’s team of experienced technical experts will be available on-site for in-depth, one-on-one consultations. Together with customers, they will analyze specific production scenarios and challenges to chart clear, viable pathways for intelligent upgrading. We firmly believe that the best solutions are always born from the real echoes within the workshop.
Witness dynamic production demonstrations of cutting-edge injection molding solutions up close, experiencing technology-driven production innovation.
Engage in face-to-face discussions with industry experts to explore personalized, customized solutions.
Gain in-depth insight into Haitian’s comprehensive, end-to-end service system in India—spanning local production, technology application, and after-sales support.
We sincerely invite colleagues from the global plastics industry to visit the Haitian International booth at Stand A-12, Hall 10, Bharat Mandapam Exhibition Centre, New Delhi, from February 5th to 10th, 2026. Let us gather here to explore the forefront trends of intelligent manufacturing and jointly infuse sustained industrial momentum into the high-quality development of “Make in India.”
How did NICHEM Solutions begin, and what inspired the company to start in 2014?
NICHEM existed as Advanced Agrotech since 1995. It was led by two innovation driven professionals Rajan Raje and Prof VC Malshe who believed in a simple approach that everyone had the right to get pure air, water and food. Both were fascinated by global technologies used for agriculture in small countries like Egypt, Turkey, Spain etc. They strongly felt the need to develop cost-effective, eco-friendly and non-toxic solutions for the post-harvest segment. In 2014, the partnership was strengthened after Aniket Malshe came on board. He broadened the vision of the company and rebranded its positioning as NICHEM SOLUTIONS in the market. At NICHEM, the spark has always been developing innovative chemical solutions to customer’s unmet needs.
Can you explain how the founders and early team members worked together to build NICHEM from the beginning?
NICHEM’s early years were built on collaboration more than structure. Prof. V.C. Malshe developed every product we offered in the initial phase his scientific lens shaped our foundation. Rajan Raje brought decades of industrial experience, managing applications, production and business realities with equal clarity. When Aniket Malshe joined, he broadened our voice and helped position NICHEM’s technologies to the world. Later, with Dr. Leena Raje, we transitioned into an organisation with stronger administrative discipline and a people-first culture. Decisions were made in labs, over trials, and during plant visits not across meeting tables. Every founder contributed from their strengths, and that shared ownership allowed NICHEM to take shape steadily.
NICHEM has a team with almost 150 years of experience. How does this help you solve real-life problems?
Experience gives perspective. Many industrial challenges have repeating patterns, and our collective decades in chemistry, application engineering and manufacturing help us identify these early. Instead of treating symptoms, we can understand the underlying chemistry that causes them. Experience also brings realism knowing what will scale safely, what may fail unexpectedly, and what approach is most likely to survive production and field conditions. This allows us to design solutions that are not only innovative on paper but also reliable in practice.
Why is innovation so important in the work you do at NICHEM?
Innovation is not an optional pursuit for us. It is central to why NICHEM exists. Innovation is the heart of NICHEM. The problems industries face today are not the ones we saw a decade ago. Materials are evolving, sustainability pressures are increasing, and regulations are tightening. Without meaningful innovation, specialty chemistry becomes stagnant. Our Innovation Centre, established in 2023, was our way of institutionalising this belief. With application labs across polymers, water, agriculture and personal care, and a microbiology facility, we ensure that every new idea is tested against real industrial conditions. Innovation allows us to remain relevant, responsible and forward-looking. We reinvest significant amounts of profits annually to strengthen our innovation infrastructure.
You make products for polymers, water purification, personal care, and industry. How do you make sure the quality is high in all these areas?
Delivering technologies without compromising on the quality is crucial for NICHEM. To ensure consistent quality, we abide to ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standards accepted globally. We have a robust Quality Control and Assurance process to perform stringent checks of incoming raw materials, outgoing finished goods, manufacturing processes etc to deliver quality products. It is strengthened by a structured R&D who conduct initial verification and validation studies of efficacy and safety in-house during product development. Third party certifications make our documentation, traceability and consistency credible. To us, quality is a culture built through discipline, scientific rigour and respect for process.
How did getting your first U.S. patent for CROPSIL help your company grow?
Cropsil was our first major scientific milestone. Developing the most stable Orthosilicic Acid formulation in a short duration was a breakthrough! Receiving patents in India, USA and Canada validated the unique ness of the technology on a global platform. It reassured us that our research could stand international scrutiny. It strengthened customer confidence and encouraged us to invest more aggressively in R&D. This led to creating more patentable technologies and a stronger innovation pipeline.
Your customers say NICHEM is great at re-engineering and co-creating solutions. How do you build strong, long-term relationships with clients?
Our relationships with our clients grow out of listening. When clients come to us, they usually bring complex, open-ended problems rather than ready-made briefs. We work alongside them developing formulations, running trials, visiting their plants, and refining the chemistry until it fits seamlessly into their process. Co-creation builds trust. When a client sees that we remain committed even when the problem becomes challenging, the relationship naturally becomes long-term. We walk the path with them together!
How do you make sure your chemicals are safe, eco-friendly, and good for the environment?
Safety and Environmental Responsibility are one of the key values at NICHEM. It begins at the formulation/design stage of product development. Our Research Team first reviews the regulatory information of raw materials under consideration from credible chemical databases of USA and Europe. This helps us to identify hazardous chemicals. We actively explore non-hazardous or low-hazard alternatives to begin formulation development. This ensures that safety is built-in rather than corrected later. Alongside regulatory diligence, we also evaluate biodegradability, residue behavior and end-of-life impact. This approach allows us to create chemistries that perform effectively without compromising environmental integrity.
You say your goal is to “restore green back to the environment.” How do your products support this mission?
“Restoring green back to the environment” is not an abstract mission for us; it guides how we prioritize and direct our research. Much of our work focuses on enabling industries to operate with a lower environmental footprint. Our Polymer Additives support recyclability, improve process efficiency and enable controlled biodegradation under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Our Water Treatment Chemistries help reduce overall chemical load and improve purification outcomes, allowing systems to function with fewer inputs. Our Agriculture Input Solutions contribute to replacing toxicity on fresh produce with eco-friendly alternatives thereby reducing carbon footprint on the land and water bodies. Our Disinfection Solutions ensure carcinogen-free surface and aerial protection from microbes. Across sectors, we design formulations that extend material life, reduce waste generation and promote circularity. In this sense, our products are not only performance enhancers they are tools that help industries shift toward more responsible, resource-conscious manufacturing.
What new products or big plans can people expect from NICHEM Solutions in the future?
Our future work will continue to move in the direction of sustainable and responsible chemistry for air, water, land, plastic, paint, cosmetics & many more. Many of our upcoming technologies are designed to support circularity whether through improving recyclability, enabling controlled biodegradation, or reducing dependence on hazardous ingredients. Beyond individual products, we are also building deeper capability within our Innovation Centre so that ideas can move from concept to validated application more efficiently. We are gearing up our R&D Services to independently support industry & incubate unique ideas for product development for technology transfers. As regulations evolve and industries shift toward greener practices, we aim to offer chemistries that not only meet those expectations but help customers transition smoothly into the next generation of materials.
What message would you like to share with young people who want to enter the chemical industry?
To young professionals entering the chemical industry, we would say this: Chemistry is a field that rewards curiosity, responsibility, and patience. Build a strong scientific foundation, but pair it with an understanding of sustainability, digital tools, and cross-disciplinary thinking including finance. The future of this industry will belong to those who can balance performance with environmental insight and who treat regulatory awareness as part of good science. Most importantly, see your work as contribution rather than output. When you develop a formulation that is safer, greener or more efficient, you are not just solving a technical problem you are shaping how industries function in the decades ahead. If you approach the field with sincerity and a desire to make meaningful impact, it will offer you a lifelong journey of discovery with satisfaction!
Constantia Flexibles Retains Ecovadis Platinum Rating For 2025
Constantia Flexibles has retained its EcoVadis Platinum rating for 2025, reaffirming its position among the top 1% of companies worldwide assessed globally based on environmental, social and governance criteria. Building on its first Platinum recognition in 2024, the company continues to lead the way in corporate responsibility and environmental innovation.
Marc Rademacher, EVP Consumer Commercial and Group Sustainability at Constantia Flexibles, commented: “Retaining Platinum status for 2025 demonstrates our teams’ commitment to sustainability. We are not just meeting expectations, we are driving progress and setting new benchmarks for environmental and social responsibility in our industry. And we will continue to raise the bar in the years ahead.”
EcoVadis, a leading global sustainability ratings platform, assesses companies on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Achieving Platinum status for the second consecutive year highlights Constantia Flexibles’ commitment to integrating sustainability across its operations and value chain. Moreover, it reinforces the company’s mission to create lasting value for its business, partners, and the environment.
The MOU was formally signed by Mr. R. K. Mishra (IRS, Director IIP & Additional DGFT Mumbai), Director representing IIP and Mr. Saurabh Agrawal (VP & GM Avery Dennison South Asia) representing Avery Dennison. Under this partnership, they will jointly launch a unique Management Development Programme tailored especially for mid-level packaging professionals working in industry segments such as Food & Beverages, Home & Personal Care, Wine & Spirits, Pharmaceuticals, Lubricants, Agrochemicals, Solar, Batteries, Automobiles, Appliances etc. The three-day extensive programme will be conducted across IIP Mumbai and Avery Dennison’s Pune facility, combining academic learning with practical, hands-on industry exposure. Facilitators will include senior industry leaders, accomplished academicians and varied thought leaders from the packaging world. Representatives from both organizations expressed strong confidence that this collaboration will significantly enhance capability-building efforts, bridge the gap between academic training and industry needs, and contribute to the long-term growth of India’s packaging ecosystem.
“This MOU marks a significant milestone for the Packaging industry in India, as this is the first time an industry leader is joining hands with a revered academic institution to augment industry’s packaging talent. This aligns with our ongoing efforts to contribute meaningfully to the Indian ecosystem,” said Saurabh Agarwal, Vice President and General Manager, South Asia, Avery Dennison.
“The MoU is aimed at bringing capacity building to a new level for the packaging industry leadership with a focus on leveraging the emerging opportunities as well as fulfilling the societal obligations of sustainable development,” said RK Mishra, Director, IIP.
The program will target mid-level packaging talent working with brands across segments, so as to help them accelerate their packaging careers in the light of fast changing external considerations such as AI, Sustainability, Compliance, Fast evolving Consumer behaviour etc. The program will offer valuable exposure to real-world applications, emerging technologies, and expert insights from practitioners, better preparing the members for future leadership roles in their organisations. The first batch will be starting in March 2026 and will be a cohort of 20 high-potential candidates.
Clariant, a sustainability focused specialty chemical company, today announced the laureate of the National Catalysis Achievement Award at the 22nd National Congress on Catalysis of China (NCC 2025). Presented by the Catalysis Society of China, and sponsored by Clariant, the prestigious award recognizes Prof. Dr. Zhang Tao from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics for his exceptional contributions to catalysis research. The ceremony took place during the congress opening at Xiamen International Conference Center, marking Clariant’s fourth consecutive collaboration with the Catalysis Society of Chinese Chemical Society to honor breakthrough innovations in the field.
The National Congress on Catalysis, China’s premier academic event in the field of catalysis, is held biennially and co-organized by the Catalysis Society of Chinese Chemical Society and Xiamen University. This year’s congress, themed “Catalytic Science and Technology in the New Era: Upholding Fundamentals and Embracing Innovation,” brings together leading researchers and industry experts to discuss advancements in catalysis research and applications.
“We are honored to continue our sponsorship of the National Catalysis Achievement Award for the fourth consecutive time, demonstrating our long-term commitment to advancing catalysis research in China,” said Marvin Estenfelder, Head of Research & Development at Clariant Catalysts. “Prof. Dr. Zhang Tao’s pioneering work in single-atom catalysis and sustainable chemical processes aligns perfectly with Clariant’s focus on developing innovative catalytic solutions that enable more sustainable chemical production and support the transition to an environmentally responsible future.”
Prof. Dr. Zhang Tao, a CAS academician and Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) & International Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, has made significant contributions to the field of catalysis, including pioneering the concept of “Single-Atom Catalysis” with worldwide impact. His groundbreaking discovery of a one-step catalytic process converting cellulose into ethylene glycol has been scaled to a thousand-ton pilot plant, demonstrating the practical applications of his research. Prof. Dr. Zhang has also led the development of catalysts used in China’s aerospace, aviation, and petrochemical sectors.
“I am deeply honored to receive this prestigious award and grateful to Clariant for their continued support of catalysis research in China,” said Prof. Dr. Zhang Tao. “Catalysis plays a crucial role in addressing global challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity. I look forward to further collaboration between academia and industry to develop innovative catalytic solutions for a more sustainable future.”
During the congress, Clariant also presented on catalyst scale-up from laboratory idea to commercialization, sharing knowledge and expertise gained through decades of experience in catalyst development and production.
Clariant’s sponsorship of the National Catalysis Achievement Award underscores the company’s commitment to supporting scientific excellence and fostering innovation in catalysis research. Through its state-of-the-art R&D center in Shanghai and research partnerships with top Chinese universities, Clariant continues to develop sustainable catalytic solutions that help reduce the carbon footprint of the chemical industry and contribute to China’s carbon neutrality goals.
SACMI Acquires Majority Stake In Groupe Emballage Technologies
This operation strengthens and expands SACMI’s reach in the food packaging sector. President Paolo Mongardi states: “In line with our strategic vision, this acquisition further strengthens our presence in France and other countries.”
SACMI has gained a majority share in the French group Emballage Technologies, which comprises Etpack, Sermatec, and Pactisoud. Made official on Friday 19th December 2025, this acquisition sees SACMI gain a 65% share. The operation was completed via the subsidiary SACMI Packaging & Chocolate SpA, the SACMI Group Business Unit that operates in the food packaging sector.
SACMI has been working with Etpack since 2019 through its Poland-based subsidiary. The basis for this transaction – of considerable commercial and industrial value – is, then, the strong relationship between the two industrial groups and their shared strategic vision.
SACMI Packaging & Chocolate thus expands and completes its range of secondary packaging solutions by integrating specific technologies, with the resulting expansion of the offering allowing the company to reach into additional industries and market segments. This synergy also extends to the construction and assembly of the flowpack ranges and the low- and medium-speed vertical packaging machines – designed by SACMI and assembled in Sermatec – thus boosting the ability to respond to market dynamics.
Groupe Emballage Technologies is a renowned name in France, and SACMI is confident that it will be a major growth driver on this market, in keeping with the goal of achieving a strong local presence via a network of production and sales facilities. Note also that this operation aligns with SACMI Packaging & Chocolate’s broader business strategy: indeed, the company is already present internationally in Poland, the DACH countries and the United States.
“Strengthening our food packaging operations is a key SACMI goal,” notes the President of SACMI, Paolo Mongardi. “The skills and far-reaching presence of Groupe Emballage Technologies on the French market will bolster our growth there, which is extremely important to us. The complementary nature of our primary and secondary packaging solutions completes SACMI’s technological proposal,” adds Paolo Mongardi, “opening up new market opportunities via the full involvement of our Global Network.”
“Groupe Emballage Technologies will retain its managerial autonomy: a crucial aspect, in light of the excellent work done in recent years,” comments Pierrick Doux, who has been at the Group’s helm since 2007. “Closer teamwork will facilitate the pursuit of shared strategic goals, helping to boost growth both in France and abroad.”
The first official market event will be the CFIA trade fair in Rennes in March 2026.
Koenig & Bauer is taking stock of an impressive initial result for its ‘AI Empower 25’ programme, which launched in July. Less than five months after the kick-off, the press manufacturer has substantially expanded the internal use of artificial intelligence (AI) and – for the first time in the company’s history of over 200 years – honoured innovative employee projects with the newly established ‘Innovation Award’. With an active usage rate of over 30 per cent among the workforce, the company clearly exceeds common industry benchmarks.
From introduction to widespread application
In July 2025, Koenig & Bauer launched the strategic initiative ‘AI Empower 25’ under the motto ‘The Power Is You!’, aiming to secure competitiveness through the integration of AI technologies from Google. The goal was not merely to provide tools, but to empower employees through targeted training. This strategy is now bearing fruit: “AI has arrived across the board at Koenig & Bauer,” confirms the current evaluation.
Dr Alexander Blum (left), CFO Koenig & Bauer, presents the Award for Strategic Relevance to Samuel Deener, Plant Manager at Koenig & Bauer Industrial, who accepts the prize on behalf of the entire development team
Honouring pioneering work: The Innovation Awards
To honour the commitment of the workforce, the first ‘Innovation Award’ was presented by CFO Dr Alexander Blum on 3 December 2025. This award marks a milestone in the corporate culture and is intended to recognise outstanding innovative spirit at regular intervals in the future – starting with a focus on Artificial Intelligence. The selection of the winners took place in a multi-stage process involving internal committees, external partners, and the AI Gemini itself, to ensure fairness.
The prize for strategic relevance, awarded by the Executive Board, went to the ‘Industrial Nexus’ project – a licence-free platform for the digitalisation of everyday work in production. The programme code was created largely with the help of Gemini – specifically by employees who had never written software code before. This impressively demonstrates how AI breaks down technical barriers and empowers specialist departments to help themselves.
Dr Alexander Blum (right), CFO Koenig & Bauer, and Pascal Kranich (left), Senior Manager Business IT Strategies at Koenig & Bauer, congratulate Florian Stappenbeck (centre), COO of Koenig & Bauer Sheetfed, who accepted the ‘Innovation Award’ in the Employees’ Choice category on behalf of the team
The ‘Innovation Award’ in the Employees’ Choice category, based on a vote by the workforce, went to a project designed to make the time-consuming creation of documentation significantly more efficient and smarter through the use of AI. The tool transforms filmed processes and handwritten notes into finished instructions within minutes.
Cultural change through ‘AI Empower 25’
The 88 submitted use cases bear witness to a profound change in corporate culture. Over 460 ‘AI Champions’ act as multipliers worldwide, which led to over 120 training sessions being held. Surpassing the 30 per cent mark in regular usage is particularly significant here: it means the critical threshold of 20 per cent, which typically marks the transition from a pilot project to being firmly established within the organisation, has been significantly exceeded. This indicates that AI integration is not merely a top-down initiative but is being supported by the workforce.
The project by Vasco A. Sahlbach and Stephan Förster received the most votes from the workforce
This internal success flanks the company’s external efforts. While ‘AI Empower 25’ increases internal efficiency, Koenig & Bauer Kyana continues to focus on the development of AI-based solutions for the market.
For the coming year, Koenig & Bauer plans to collate successful use cases in a central repository in order to sustainably solidify the digital transformation. The aim is to embed this knowledge across the wider organisation: the entire workforce is encouraged to learn from these internal examples so that they can build on them to realise their own AI ideas in their respective specialist departments. This knowledge transfer is being actively supported by accompanying formats for exchange and continuous learning.
Ucimu-Sistemi Per Produrre: The Italian Machine Tool Industry To Close A Rather Stagnant 2025.Manufacturers Expect Moderate Growth For 2026.
After a really complicated 2024, the year 2025 turned out to be rather stagnant for Italian manufacturers of machine tools, robots and automation systems, who saw their production grow moderately. This was slowed down by the export downturn, which was not counterbalanced by the weak recovery in the domestic market activity. The year 2026 will be better, but the forecasts are cautious owing to the highly unstable context. In brief, this is what emerges from the preliminary figures for 2025 and forecasts for 2026 just released by the Studies Dept. & Business Culture Centre of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE.
In particular, in 2025, production stood at 6,420 million euro, reporting a 1.5% increase compared to the previous year.
The year was characterised by a strong contraction in exports, which went down to 3,710 million euro, i.e. 13.2% less than in 2024. Almost all the major markets for Made in Italy products in this sector recorded a negative performance, as a testimony to the difficult international situation.
According to UCIMU’s analysis of the data from the Italian National Statistics Institute (ISTAT), in the period January-August 2025 (latest available data), the main destination markets for the Italian sector offering of machine tools only were the United States (423 million euro, -8.1%), Germany (196 million euro, -29.7%); France (145 million euro, -0.5%), India (135 million euro, -4.2%), Poland (135 million euro, +13.3%).
On the domestic front, the recovery in consumption, which rose by 20.5% to 4,465 million euro, drove the growth in the deliveries from Italian manufacturers on the domestic market, attaining 2,710 million euro, corresponding to 32% more than in the previous year. Although the increases of these two indicators are significant, the results are not very satisfactory because they are still much lower than the values obtained in the previous years.
The export/production figure started to decrease again, stopping at 57.8%.
For 2026, the forecasts prepared by the Studies Dept. & Business Culture Centre of UCIMU show a (still) moderate rise of the main economic indicators. In particular, in 2026, production should grow, reaching 6,590 million euro (+2.6% versus 2025).
This outcome should be determined by the return of exports to positive territory (+0.7% compared to the 2025 figure), totalling 3,735 million euro, as well as by the upturn in the domestic deliveries from Italian manufacturers, which should grow to 2,855 million euro (+5.4% versus 2025), supported by increased domestic demand.
Italian consumption of machine tools, robots and automation should go up to 4,730 million euro, i.e. 5.9% more than in 2025. Imports should also benefit from the recovery in domestic demand, as proven by the forecast figure indicating a 6.8% rise to 1,875 million euro.
The export/production ratio should go down again, standing at 56.7%.
Riccardo Rosa, president of UCIMU, commented
Riccardo Rosa, president of UCIMU, commented: “After a really complicated 2024, 2025 confirmed as the year of trend reversal, with a change from negative to growth, however very modest, recorded in the production figure. Actually, we did not expect it could be exports to weigh down the final outcome, as they did”.
“The international geopolitical instability, the ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, President Trump’s tariff war and the consequent new (dis)order of international trade put our exports under severe strain”.
“On the other hand, the performance achieved by Italian machine tool manufacturers on the domestic market was better than expected, but however, they recovered only a small portion of the ground lost in the previous two years. This was due to the critical issues related to Transition 5.0, which started to be operational with an unforgivable delay, underwent several adjustments, becoming easy to use only in its final months of operation, then suddenly closing more than a month before the deadline set for 31 December”.
“Despite the numerous difficulties encountered – continued President Rosa – the results obtained have demonstrated the usefulness of 5.0, obviously in addition to 4.0, as a measure aimed at supporting investments in new production technologies in Italy”.
“We hope that the incentive measures established by the government bodies under discussion in recent weeks during the drafting of the 2026 Budget Law, will be actually easy to use and quick to implement. We Italian machine tool manufacturers – went on the president of di UCIMU – simply ask for clarity and immediacy. In order to work, the measure must involve little bureaucracy and must be issued and made available from the first weeks of the new year. Only in this way will the measure – which seems overall valid, on paper, as we have seen it – be able to bring real benefits to the country’s manufacturing sector”.
“That said – added Riccardo Rosa – we greatly appreciate the recent announcement of the government regarding its intention to focus on a multi-year duration of the measure. Having a measure available from the beginning of 2026 to 2028 is certainly a wise choice, allowing customer companies to plan their purchases, as well as manufacturers to organise their production, so that they can distribute their work according to their production capacity in the best way”.
“On the foreign front, the weaking of some markets, starting with Germany, which has been overwhelmed by the automotive crisis – the difficulty of sales in the USA, our primary export market, due to tariffs, and the closure of certain areas particularly rich in opportunities, such as Russia, require even more intense work to develop commercial relations with traditional areas and with “alternative” areas, including the countries of the Mercosur region. For this reason, – continued Riccardo Rosa – it is discouraging to read in the newspapers that Italy is among the countries questioning the continuation of the process for the conclusion of the EU-Mercosur Agreement, which has actually reached its final stages. Backtracking now, at a particularly delicate moment for international trade, would be a serious mistake”.
“Also based on this agreement, over the last two years, the Association has boosted its initiatives dedicated to Latin American countries. In addition to exploratory missions carried out in Brazil, conceived to strengthen partnerships with the local system of institutions, companies and representative organisations, UCIMU has started interesting discussions with industrial representative organizations of Argentina in preparation for new collaborations between the industries of the two countries. Moreover, – added President Rosa – we have not overlooked the so-called “associated countries” and “observers” linked to the agreement, as we are confident that these will also offer our companies interesting opportunities. Among the Mercosur associate members, we have focused our attention on Chile where, following a survey mission, a project is being studied to develop a Technology Centre with the participation of local universities. On the other hand, among observers, our focus is on Mexico, where, since the beginning of 2025, the Oficina Italiana de Promotiòn Mexico has been operating as a desk that works to support Italian companies in learning about and penetrating the relevant market, also concerning the area of Central and North America”.
“With regard to Asia, India and Southeast Asian countries are of particular interest to us because they are characterised by very strong growth and a favourable inclination towards us, as proven by the dynamism of the activities supported by the Association: from Desk India to the ITCIndia Network and the IMT Vietnam Network, both of which have just been renewed”.
“Turning our gaze towards Europe, while waiting to see how the German economy and manufacturing industry will respond to the measures implemented by the Merz government, the hope is that the EU will intervene to correct the timing and methods of the transition towards green mobility, so as to avoid the risk of industrial desertification in the Old Continent. In our opinion, the principle of technological neutrality is the only appropriate response to this situation.”
No Christmas without plastics? In fact, there is more of it in the festive season than we realise in the hustle and bustle of preparations. From artificial fir trees to shatterproof tree decorations, from toys to packaging: plastics ensure that our celebrations are safe, colourful, practical – and often more sustainable. We show you 7 things where plastics play an important role at Christmas.
Plastic Christmas trees are durable, easy to care for – and just as festive as real fir trees.
It is THE classic Christmas symbol and an indispensable part of almost every living room in December: the Christmas tree. But instead of buying a real fir tree every year, many families opt for an artificial tree, usually made of polyethylene (PE) or PVC. Modern plastic Christmas trees look deceptively similar to the real thing, do not shed their needles and can be put up again and again every year. Using one for a long time even conserves resources in the long run.
Break-proof plastic baubles combine safety with festive sparkle on the tree.
They shine, sparkle or shimmer with a matte finish: plastic Christmas baubles have long been more than just an inexpensive alternative to glass baubles. Made of polystyrene, acrylic or PET, they are break-resistant, lightweight and durable – making them ideal for households with children or pets. And when it comes to design, they are in no way inferior to glass.
Plastic housings make LED fairy lights safe and weatherproof – indoors and outdoors.
3.Fairy Lights & LEDs – Safe Lighting Thanks to Plastic
Christmas without lights? Hard to imagine. Today, LED fairy lights have replaced traditional tree candles in many households – and for good reason. Instead of open flames, small points of light provide festive sparkle without any fire hazard or wax residue. The light elements are enclosed in heat-resistant plastic housings such as polycarbonate or acrylic, which protect the sensitive technology. The cable insulation is also made of robust plastics that can withstand winter weather when used outdoors.
Plastic cookie cutters and baking aids are simply part of Christmas baking.
4.Plastic Baking Aids – An Indispensable Part of Christmas Baking
Baking is as much a part of Christmas as snow is to December. Many Christmas baking aids are made of plastics: cookie cutters made of PP, silicone mats, piping bags and dough scrapers. These materials are lightweight, hygienic, dishwasher-safe and durable. They make baking easier – and ensure that even little bakers can help out safely.
Gift wrap and bows made of plastic add sparkle under the Christmas tree.
5.Gift Wrapping & Adhesive Tape – With Moderation and Material Awareness
For many people, gifts are a must at Christmas – and so is attractive packaging. Many gift wrappings today contain plastic: shiny coated paper, polypropylene adhesive tape, polyester ribbon. This does not automatically mean waste, as many plastic wrappings can be recycled or reused. Creative alternatives such as boxes made from recycled plastic or reusable packaging are also gaining in popularity. Those who pay attention to sustainable materials can use plastics in a targeted and sensible way.
Plastic bubble wrap protects Christmas gifts on their way through the parcel logistics system.
6.Plastic Packaging and Transport Protection – For Gifts That Arrive Undamaged and On Time for the Holidays
Online shopping is booming – especially before Christmas. Intelligent packaging solutions are needed to ensure that gifts arrive undamaged. Bubble wrap, plastic packaging and recyclable shipping bags made from monomaterials protect sensitive contents. Many manufacturers are now developing packaging that is single-material, recyclable or made from recycled materials. This shows that plastic can not only protect, but also be part of the circular economy.
Plastic toys make children’s eyes light up under the Christmas tree – year after year.
7.Toys Under the Tree – Plastic Ensures Lasting Joy
When children’s eyes light up at Christmas, it is often because of plastic toys. Whether building blocks, cars or dolls: toys made of polypropylene, ABS or, nowadays, bio-based plastics are robust and colourful. Some manufacturers rely on recycled plastics or climate-neutral production. Plastic toys are not disposable products – they can be passed on or recycled for generations.
Whether visible or hidden, plastics contribute to safety and joy in many moments during the Christmas season. With thoughtful use and a growing focus on recycling and material innovation, sustainable accents can also be set during the most festive time of the year.
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