Italy’s automatic packaging and processing machinery industry continues its growth trajectory. In 2025, the sector came close to €10.5 billion in revenue, recording a 4% increase over the already record-breaking results achieved in 2024.
The figures were presented during the Annual General Meeting of UCIMA members and are based on the 14th National Statistical Survey conducted by the UCIMA MECS Research Center. The survey involved 629 companies operating in the sector, employing a total of 40,611 people (+0.3% compared with 2024).
International markets
Exports remain the industry’s main growth driver. In 2025, overseas sales reached 8.19 billion Euros, accounting for 78.3% of total revenue, up 2.5% compared with the previous year. The sector continues to display a strong export orientation, with the average export share per company standing at 85.4%.
Italian packaging technologies continue to stand out on international markets thanks to their quality, reliability and ability to deliver highly customized solutions. Despite an environment marked by geopolitical tensions and increasing trade barriers, Italian manufacturers have maintained a strong global presence, supported by a well-established supply chain and subcontracting network.
The ranking of export destinations remains unchanged. The European Union continues to be the leading market for Italian packaging technologies, with revenue of 2.4 billion Euros and a 36.8% share of total exports. Asia remains in second place with 1.09 billion Euros (16.6%), followed by North America with 1.03 billion Euros (15.7%). These are followed by non-EU Europe (748.1 million Euros; 11.3%), South America (717.9 million Euros; 10.9%), and Africa and Oceania together (575.4 million Euros; 8.7%).
Domestic market
The domestic market also performed particularly well in 2025, growing by 9.9% to reach 2.27 billion Euros. As a result, sales within Italy accounted for 21.7% of total industry revenue.
The increase in domestic demand was driven primarily by the food and pharmaceutical sectors, both of which recorded growth of more than 15% in the Italian market.
End-user industries: Food & beverage remain leading sectors
In 2025, the packaging machinery industry once again demonstrated its strong diversification across multiple manufacturing sectors. The food and beverage industries remained the largest customer segments, together accounting for 55.4% of total sales. The food sector ranked first with 3.26 billion Euros (31.2% of total revenue), followed by the beverage sector with 2.54 billion Euros (24.2%).
Third place was occupied by the tissue, tobacco and other industries segment, with 2.05 billion Euros, representing 19.6% of total revenue. The pharmaceutical sector also posted strong growth, reaching 1.84 billion Euros (17.6% of the total).
Revenue by machinery type
Primary packaging machinery continued to generate the largest share of industry revenue, accounting for 52.5% of the total. This performance was driven in particular by form-fill-seal (FFS) machines, which alone generated 2.28 billion Euros, representing 21.8% of total revenue and recording 1.9% growth.
Filling and dosing machines ranked second with 1.88 billion Euros (18% of total revenue). Among the most dynamic technologies were palletizing systems, which grew by 8.1%, and cartoning and case-packing machines, up by 7.5%.
Regional structure: Emilia-Romagna remains heart of Italy’s packaging valley
Emilia-Romagna’s Packaging Valley continues to represent the industry’s manufacturing hub. The region is home to 214 companies (34% of the national total), generating 61.2% of overall industry revenue (more than 6.4 billion Euros) and employing over 22,380 people. Lombardy, Veneto and Piedmont follow.
Employment continues to grow
In 2025, employment in the sector reached 40,611 people, an increase of 0.3% compared with 2024. This confirms the positive employment trend recorded over recent years, with the industry creating more than 13,000 new jobs over the past decade.
“The packaging technology industry once again demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth in 2025,” said Maurizio Bertocco, the newly president of UCIMA. “Achieving revenue of nearly €10.5 billion in an international environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and new trade barriers confirms the strength of both our industry and the supply chain that supports it.”
“We look to the future with confidence, while remaining fully aware of the profound changes taking place worldwide. Geopolitical developments, evolving international trade dynamics, industrial policies and technological transformation all have the potential to significantly influence the growth path of our companies. This is why we believe it is essential to analyze, understand and interpret the forces reshaping the global landscape, so that we can turn change into opportunity and continue strengthening the competitiveness of Italy’s packaging industry.”
Maurizio Bertocco elected president of UCIMA
The UCIMA General Assembly has elected Maurizio Bertocco as the new president of the Italian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Association. Bertocco will lead the association for the 2026–2030 term, succeeding Riccardo Cavanna and opening a new chapter in the development of one of the most competitive and internationally oriented sectors of Italy’s capital goods industry.
Maurizio Bertocco is chairman and chief executive officer of ILPRA SpA, an innovative SME headquartered in Mortara (Pavia), founded in 1955 and listed on the Italian Stock Exchange. The company designs, manufactures and markets packaging machinery for the food, cosmetics and medical industries.
