The Italian Paper & Graphics Industry

Turnover for 2017 of over 24 billion euros (+1.6% on 2016); the domestic market has grown by 2.6% but... raw material costs have increased. The industry calls for stability  (source:www.federazionecartaegrafica.it)

With results that «reaffirm the vitality of the sector and the important place it holds in the national economy (1.4% of the GDP with a direct workforce of around 170,000), the Italian Paper & Graphics Federation closes 2017 on the up». This the comment of its President, Pietro Lironi.
From the preliminary figures drawn up by the Federation Research Center, the total turnover at the end of 2017 stands at 24.1 billion euros, showing an increase of 1.6% over the previous year.
The favorable run of things can in first place be put down to domestic sales (14.8 billion euros, +2.6% compared to 2016) with a significant acceleration in the second half of the year (+6.4 and +8%, respectively in the third and fourth quarters). The figures for exports however are substantially stable (+0.1% over the 12 months), which consolidates the already considerable levels of 2016.
Overall turnover figures are also affected by the rising of costs incurred by papermills to supply the virgin raw materials and for the procurement of quality paper for recycling.
 
Sector dynamics. Overall in the graphics industry the weaknesses persists, partially offset by the resumption of book production, while packaging has put in good results, with progress associated with the favorable trend in demand from downstream sectors, also thanks to the development of e-commerce. The paper&board manufacturing and converting sectors also show growth».
«The increase of sales of machinery on the domestic market (+6.9%) adds another positive note - Lironi points out - photographing the effects of the measures underway under the industry 4.0 plan to support innovation. The paper sector turnover has grown by well over 5%, mainly as a result of the need to recover cellulose procurement costs. As for 2018, it is expected to continue in line with the trend of the previous year and corresponding to the forecasts on GDP that finally show a sustained growth even for Italy».
 
Supporting actions. The Federation also takes a stance regarding the political situation in Italy, still uncertain after the recent general elections. «It is essential - reiterates the President - that the new Government, whoever is running it, does not undo the good work carried out in recent years, starting with the Jobs Act and the measures of the national Industry 4.0 plan. As regards our sectors, we believe that support for reading continues to be a priority in the country and we hope that the bonus for 18-year-olds is confirmed and supported by a universal measure involving as many citizens as possible, providing tax deductions for the purchase of books and newspapers».
On the industrial front, lastly, one sees the consolidation of the need to complete the transition towards a circular economy with the expansion of the waste recycling processing capacity. Our industry, in fact, has a high degree of circularity: 55% of raw materials are recycled and packaging recycling is at 80%.