The Italian textile machinery sector in 2024 has commenced with a mixed bag of outcomes. According to data from ACIMIT – the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers – the orders index for the first quarter has stagnated compared to the same period last year, resting at 61.2 points (basis: 2021=100).

The stagnation is attributed to divergent trajectories in domestic and foreign markets. While domestic orders surged by 15 per cent compared to Q1 2023, international orders experienced a 4 per cent decline. Notably, foreign market orders stood at 59.4 points, contrasting with Italy's robust 73.9 points. However, both figures fall short of 2021 levels.

ACIMIT President Marco Salvade remarked on the cautious sentiment prevailing in foreign markets, citing geopolitical uncertainties impacting investment decisions, particularly in key markets like China, Turkey, and India.

Conversely, domestic orders show a slight uptick. Salvade noted a partial recovery from the significant decline witnessed in 2023, although he remains cautious about a definitive reversal. He emphasized the importance of the Transition 5.0 plan in stimulating domestic investment and awaits its implementation to gauge market response. With order backlogs supporting four months of assured production, the sector remains cautiously optimistic amid global uncertainties.