CHICAGO – The Italian Trade Commission's Chicago Office (ITC), represented through its project Machines Italia, will be one of the major sponsors of the World Business Forum 2010 (October 5 th and 6 th). On the second day of the Forum (October 6th) during the official program itself, Dr. Luca Majocchi, former CEO of Unicredit, one of Italy's major commercial banking institutions, and currently managing director of Meccano SpA as well as an advisor to FEDERMACCHINE (Italy's National Federation of Associations of Manufacturers of Capital Goods Intended for Industrial and Handicrafts

Some good news, at last, though long awaited, for the Italian production of machinery and technology to process wood and wood-based materials. According to the Acimall trend survey for the first quarter 2010, we are seeing a consolidation of recovery that started in the last three months of 2009. It’s mainly good news from foreign markets that are bringing cautious optimism also for the near future, still considering that these figures compare to the first quarter 2009 that was the most difficult period of the crisis. According to the statistic sample interviewed by the analysts of the

Pratt Industries (http://www.prattindustries.com) will begin production of eco-friendly paper / packaging with the opening of its state-of-the-art, 100% recycled paper machine in Shreveport, La., which will become a major producer of lightweight paper in North America. The Shreveport mill, Pratt’s third paper machine in the United States, represents a $150 million investment in the future of the industry. It will specialize in 23-pound liners and mediums to meet market demand for less packaging and greater environmental responsibility. At capacity, the Italian-made OVER Meccanica S.p.A. (http