Italian packaging machine manufacturers continued their growth trajectory in 2025. As Ucima announced at the association's annual meeting, industry turnover rose by four percent to 10.46 billion euros. Growth drivers were, in addition to exports, also the significantly stronger domestic business.
With a turnover of 10.46 billion euros, the Italian packaging machinery industry remains the highest-earning sector of the Italian mechanical engineering industry. The figures are based on the 14th national sectoral statistics from the Ucima study centre Mecs, in which 629 companies participated. In total, the sector employed 40,611 people in 2025, an increase of 0.3 percent compared to the previous year.
Exports remain the most important pillar.
International business reached 8.19 billion euros, accounting for 78.3 percent of total revenue. Exports increased by 2.5 percent compared to 2024. On average, companies generate 85.4 percent of their revenue abroad. The European Union remained the largest sales market with 2.4 billion euros, or 36.8 percent of exports. This was followed by Asia with 1.09 billion euros and North America with 1.03 billion euros.
„Even in 2025, the packaging technology sector has demonstrated an exceptional ability for growth and adaptation. Achieving a revenue of 10.5 billion euros in an international environment characterised by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and new trade barriers confirms the strength of our industry and the value chain it supports. We look to the future with confidence, yet we also closely monitor global developments. Geopolitical changes, shifts in international trade, industrial policy measures, and technological advancements can significantly influence the growth trajectory of our companies. Therefore, it is important for us to analyse, understand, and correctly assess the forces reshaping the global landscape. Only in this way can we transform changes into opportunities and further strengthen the competitiveness of the Italian packaging industry.“
Ucima President Maurizio Bertocco
Domestic market grows significantly
Business developed particularly dynamically in Italy. Domestic sales rose by 9.9 percent to 2.27 billion euros. This increased the share of the home market to 21.7 percent of total turnover. According to Ucima, demand was particularly driven by the food and pharmaceutical industries, which recorded increases of more than 15 percent domestically.
Food and drink dominate demand
The most important customer industries in 2025 remained the food and beverage industry. Together, both segments accounted for 55.4 percent of industry revenue. The food industry, at 3.26 billion euros, was ahead of the beverage sector, at 2.54 billion euros. The pharmaceutical industry also saw significant growth, reaching 1.84 billion euros, or 17.6 percent of total revenue.
In terms of machine types, primary packaging machines generated the highest revenue with a share of 52.5 percent. Palletising machines developed particularly strongly with an increase of 8.1 percent, as did cartoning machines and case packers, whose revenue rose by 7.5 percent.
Emilia-Romagna remains the centre of the Italian Packaging Valley
The Emilia-Romagna region asserted its role as a centre: 214 companies are based there, generating more than 61 per cent of the sector's turnover and employing over 22,380 people.
Source: Ucima
