VDMA exports data show positive 2016 / US further increased lead position / Optimistic forecast for 2017

Production reaches EUR 4.2 bn in 2016 / Record foreign trade / Increased exports to Mexico / Assocomaplast report

Overall imports and exports grow in 2016 / Sales to Europe fall / Strong growth in India, Iran and South Africa / Assocomaplast adds four new members

Global materials market to see annual growth rate of 18.3% to 2022 / Lower prices and rising adoption of technology fuel growth / Plastics as leading material / Automotive will remain biggest consumer / Allied Market Research study

Global exports to Russia decline by 14% year-on-year in 2015 / German suppliers see above-average fall in shipments / 2016 deliveries even less / VDMA data released ahead of “interplastica” fair

European plastics machinery manufacturers post record profit in 2015 / Business continues to boom

China's 3D printing spending to overtake USA this year / Report by 3E Rapid Prototyping China

Imports peak in first half 2016 but exports fall / Increased sales to NAFTA and Asia / Demand slows ahead of "K 2016"

Lack of information and cost are major barriers to adopting technology / German companies have most experience / Global market to be worth above USD 12 bn by 2020 / Ernst & Young report

Raw material developments will drive printing technology advances / Metal to post fastest gains in lead-up to 2026 / Costs will continue to decline / Smithers Pira study

Stable uptrend / USA overtakes China as main export market / VDMA industry association predicts 2% growth in 2016 and 2017

Injection moulding capital equipment sales strengthen in 2015 / Cost and production benefits lead to increase in sales of automated machinery / PMMDA survey

Production reaches EUR 4.15 bn in 2015 / Exports achieve record levels and provide driving force for sector / NAFTA region sees largest growth / Assocomaplast report

German plastics and rubber machinery exports drop by almost 20% in 2015 / VDMA data published ahead of upcoming “Chinaplas” industry fair

German plastics and rubber machinery sales up 194% in 2015 / VDMA data released ahead of “Iran Plast” industry fair