Markets Core Machines General

Half-year rise in imports aided by government stimulus measures / Exports slow but still positive / Asia sees largest increase

Euromap industry association introduces draft energy efficiency label

Exports rise again in first quarter led by China / Imports remain weak / "Much-needed injection of confidence"

Euromap and SPI sign declaration of intent on TTIP free trade agreement / Elimination of tariffs expected to boost export sales, employment

VDMA revises down 2014 sales prediction / Orders in Germany boosted by investment in plant and equipment / Foreign export growth to slow

Improvement in second half exports helps offset effects of poor domestic market in 2013 / Production falls by 2.5% / Some optimism for 2014 / Germany remains largest export market

Producers need to specialise to raise selling prices, says trade group / Production takes a 7% decline in 2012

Global sales to reach USD 37 bn in 2017 led by Asia / Strong growth forecast for 3D plastic printers / Freedonia study

Decline in imports and exports driven by sluggish recovery in domestic market / Order books up / Optimism from employers' federation / Germany remains largest market

Orders for German machinery manufacturers on the rebound / Exports show upward trend

Positive start in 2013 turns sour for exports / Industry looks to government for support / Assocomaplast releases first-quarter trends

Small fall in sales expected in 2013 / More buoyant market anticipated in 2014 with 6% gain forecast / Increasing global market share

Mold-Masters acquisition is wrapped up

Improving exports continue to drive production output / Overall manufacturing levels remain static / Germany is largest market / US shows good growth

Merger with Mold-Masters will create leading global solutions provider / Canadian hot-runner specialist acquired from 3i in CAD 975m deal

VDMA industry association finds sales rose by 6% in 2012 / Member poll suggests further growth in 2013 / Doubtful about western European market

Major shift from west to east takes China to top position / Fragmented industry producing cheap and simple machines / Imports can cost up to 30 times more than domestic output / Germany and Japan are leading exporters / STM Stieler research

MX injection moulding machinery range to be manufactured in Haiyan near Shanghai / Rising demand from Chinese infrastructure sector spurs local orders for extruders

Sector posts core machinery production record in 2011 / Asia is leading export destination / Domestic market strong / 2012 expected to see slight decline / Renewed growth in 2013

Manufacturers reap order bonanza in China / Germany and Japan are the largest exporters

Germany's VDMA association reports record plastics machinery exports in 2011 / Asia sees largest gains

New sales record as exports boost production / Increase in numbers employed by manufacturers

Manufacturers' association lifts 2011 forecast again / Economy expected to cool again in 2012

Manufacturing capacity to be doubled at plants in Slovakia and China

Plastics processors can achieve 20% saving in energy consumption by 2020 / Data from Euromap study