In 2022, Mexico solidified its position as the seventh-largest importer of Italian machinery for plastics and rubber, reaching 141 million euros. Projections for 2023 indicate continuous growth, as in just the first half of the year, this figure reached 95 million euros.

During the recent Plastimagen, held from November 7 to 10, Italy stood out as the second country with the highest participation, with 26 companies in the Italian Pavilion and an additional 25 distributed throughout the exhibition.

Mario Maggiani, Director of the Italian Association of Manufacturers of Machinery for Plastics and Rubber (AMAPLAST), shared his insights into the Mexican and Latin American markets regarding Italian machinery. Maggiani emphasized the remarkable growth of the Mexican market in recent years, highlighting the expansion of the exhibition in terms of participants and the quality of displays.

Maggiani expressed confidence in the robust growth of the market. Despite challenges in the European automotive market, the automotive sector in Mexico continues to thrive, contributing to the overall growth of the plastics machinery industry. Additionally, Maggiani identified the packaging sector as a growth engine, driven by the increasing demand for food safety and pharmaceutical packaging during the pandemic.

Regarding the types of machinery driving exports to Mexico, Maggiani highlighted equipment for injection, extrusion, and all technology related to recycling, especially in the mechanical recycling of plastics. According to the expert, Italy leads in the production of machinery for this sector. Another segment where Italian machinery has great recognition within the industry, according to Maggiani, is auxiliary equipment, such as chillers, granulators, and feeders, which have high demand in Mexico.

With ongoing nearshoring and reshoring trends, where Mexico holds an advantageous position, Maggiani foresees continuous growth in the market. He attributes this trend to the challenges faced by manufacturers in China, such as rising costs, transportation and logistics issues, and a shortage of electronic and non-electronic components. According to him, this will lead to a shift in production from China and other countries to Mexico, becoming a prominent trend in the coming years.