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Amid a challenging geopolitical landscape and various internal structural challenges, the Chinese government recently announced its GDP growth target for 2026, setting it within a range of 4.5% to 5%. The strategy to support the country’s economic development - including broader objectives - under the 2025-2030 five-year plan involves actions at various levels, including substantial measures for technological improvement, with a particular focus on increasing manufacturing productivity, also with an eye toward circularity and sustainability.
According to data from the Beijing bureau of statistics, in 2025, compared to 2024, imports of plastic and rubber machinery grew modestly by 2.5%, reaching a value of just under 30 billion yuan, equivalent to approximately 3.7 billion euros. In fact, this represents a reversal of the trend following the sharp slowdown in 2024, which saw imports contract by a quarter. In the 2020-2023 period, however, there had been very strong growth, with imports jumping from just over 4 billion euros to more than 4.9 billion.
Italian exports of plastic and rubber machinery to China have been on an upward trend since 2019 and have accelerated significantly over the past three years. According to data from the Amaplast Study Center - the trade association affiliated with Confindustria, which represents approximately 170 manufacturers - exports exceeded the 200 million euros mark in 2025, and the country rose to third place in the ranking of export destinations for the sector, up from third place in 2024.
At the 38th edition of CHINAPLAS (Shanghai, April 21-24, 2026), 48 Italian companies will be participating in the national pavilion - spanning over 1,700 square meters - organized by Amaplast.
The Made in Italy pavilion (located in hall 2.1, alongside other international exhibitors) will feature numerous Amaplast members.
Several other Italian companies will be participating through the stands of their local agents, partners, or subsidiaries.
