The analysis by Assocomaplast, the Italian trade association, belonging to CONFINDUSTRIA, which groups together some 160 manufacturers of plastics and rubber processing machinery) of the latest ISTAT, the Italian National Institute of Statistics, figures for Italian foreign trade shows that, in the first half of 2013, imports in the sector were somewhat weak compared to the same period in 2012 whereas exports held relatively firm, as summarized in Table 1. The downturn in imports is a symptom of a domestic market that still struggles to recover. However, a potentially promising sign, on this

On 6 June 2013, at Verdellino-Zingonia, CESAP hosted the annual meeting of Assocomaplast (the Italian trade association belonging to Confindustria, which groups together some 160 manufacturers of machinery, moulds and equipment for plastics and rubber). The association's president, Giorgio Colombo, opened his presentation by confirming the dates of the upcoming PLAST trade show, which is organised by Promaplast srl, Assocomaplast's commercial company, and will be held in Milan May 5-9 2015. This means that the three-yearly international plastics and rubber industry event will be opening its

Milan, December 2012- At the end of November 2012, WPO (World Packaging Organization) signed a cooperation agreement with Ipack-Ima Spa to support and promote the exhibitions East Afripack (9-12 September 2014 – Kenya) and IPACK-IMA (19-23 May 2015 – Italy). "The agreement focuses on formulating common programs and concrete actions to promote both shows globally and to recognize the packaging education projects developed by WPO", explains Thomas Schneider, WPO President. According to Schneider, this support means authorizing the use of WPO logo in all promotional materials and promoting both