Anima data show marginal growth (+0.4%), highly polarized sectors, and competitive pressure from abroad
The first half of 2025 closed with overall exports of Italian mechanical engineering substantially stable, recording marginal growth of 0.4% (for a total of 19.84 billion euros) compared to the same period in 2024. This figure portrays a resilient sector but also a picture of growing uncertainty, with highly polarized percentage performances that reveal some sectors experiencing strong expansion and others in sharp contraction. These are the main findings emerging from the analysis conducted by the Statistics and Market Intelligence office of Anima Confindustria on data for the first half of the year.
The mechanical engineering sector continues to confirm its vocation for export, with approximately 60% of production destined for foreign markets. Nonetheless, the first-half data highlight contrasting trends that require particular attention.
Among the sectors that recorded the best performances, hydraulic and steam turbine manufacturers stand out, followed by commercial refrigeration equipment, which grew strongly with a 20.8% increase compared to the first half of 2024 (equal to €407 million in exports). Industrial ovens are in third place, with a 12.5% increase, as well as bakery machinery and ovens, which recorded an excellent +9.2%. The valves and faucets sector confirmed solid growth, remaining a pillar of Italian exports with over €3 billion (+4.6%).
On the other hand, the sectors experiencing the greatest difficulties showed significant contractions. Industrial forklifts suffered the sharpest decline, falling 20.2% from €1.31 billion to €1.05 billion. Internal combustion engines also recorded a sharp contraction of -19.7%, likely reflecting the ongoing transition to electric solutions and alternative energy sources.
On the international market front, in the first half of 2025, the United States confirmed its position as the leading destination (€2.3 billion in total), partly due to the increase in orders from overseas companies in recent months – with the aim of stockpiling ahead of the full implementation of the new tariffs. Precisely because of the tariffs, serious concerns remain for many mechanical engineering sectors starting in the second half of this year.
Germany, while remaining the second largest market for Italian exports (€1.87 billion and -3.3%), continues to show signs of weakness, confirming a negative trend that has now persisted for several quarters. France also shows increasing fragility (-6.3%), with marked contractions in various sectors, highlighting how economic and political instability is weighing on domestic industrial demand. Nonetheless, several Italian mechanical engineering companies have demonstrated their ability to diversify geographically, finding outlets in non-European markets – especially in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In Europe, exports to Spain have grown significantly (+13.1%), rising to fourth place among Anima mechanical engineering destinations, with a total of €934 million.
On the import front, data show significant overall growth of 6.7%, signaling growing competitive pressure from foreign suppliers. Particularly notable is the trend in aeraulic systems, whose imports increased by 26.9%, and in bakery machinery and ovens: +109% compared to last year. Household goods also saw an explosion in imports (+32.6%).
"The results of the first half of the year confirm that the Italian mechanical engineering industry, compared to the first half of 2024, has maintained substantial stability, once again demonstrating its resilience and ability to adapt," states Pietro Almici, president of Anima Confindustria."This figure, while positive in a complex international context, highlights a halt in growth. In recent years, the Italian mechanical engineering industry has demonstrated extraordinary strength and rebound ability, successfully diversifying its outlet markets even in critical moments. However, geopolitical tensions, the issue of US tariffs, the weakening of its main European partners, and growing competitive pressure from abroad generate uncertainty for the future. While maintaining its structural solidity, the mechanical engineering industry is facing increasingly pressing challenges. The ability demonstrated by Italian companies to maintain good positions on global markets is a positive element, but the situation requires constant attention and structural interventions to protect the competitiveness of a strategic branch for the entire national economy, without forgetting the social fabric implicitly involved. It is essential that national and European institutions support the sector with targeted industrial policies, promoting the competitiveness of companies and ensuring fair competition on international markets.
ANIMA Confindustria is the industrial trade organization that, within Confindustria, represents companies in the various and related mechanical engineering sectors, a sector that employs 221,700 people for a turnover of 55.5 billion euros and an export/turnover share of 59% (Anima Research Office data). The macro-sectors represented by ANIMA are: construction and infrastructure; material handling and logistics; food production; energy production; industrial production; safety and the environment.
In 2025, exports of valves and taps reached €6.2 billion (+5.2% compared to 2024). exports of valv
AVR – Italian Valve and Tap Manufacturers Association – will be a key player at MCE – Mostra Convegno Expocomfort, held from March 24th to 27th in Milan. In 2025, after years of contraction, exports of valves and taps for civil use to Germany will return to positive territory, with a value of 153 million euros and a growth of 12% compared to 2024 and +20% compared to 2020. Saudi Arabia is the leading destination country in terms of revenue, followed by the United States and China; Concerns remain high about the impact of geopolitical instability on strategic markets such as the Middle East, an area which overall is worth 874.9 million euros for the civil valves and taps sector alone; Other concerns include rising energy costs, currency instability, tariff uncertainty, logistical difficulties, the lack of real free movement of goods, and an unclear European regulatory framework, often perceived as poorly aligned with industry needs. AVR, in the presence of 13 international associations belonging to the International Valves and Taps Alliance, proposes to create the first "World Forum dedicated to valves and taps". The Italian valve and faucet sector remains a leading international player. According to data from the Statistics Office of Anima Confindustria, released by AVR —the Italian Valve and Tap Manufacturers' Association, affiliated with Anima —during MCE–Mostra Convegno Expocomfort , exports of the valve and faucet sector (which includes valves for construction, industrial valves, sanitary taps, and fittings) will reach nearly €6.2 billion in 2025, up 5.2% from 2024, with an estimated total turnover of €9.55 billion. Exports of valves and faucets for residential use alone exceeded €3.2 billion (+6% from 2024). Considering only residential valves and faucets, Saudi Arabia is the leading destination country in 2025, followed by the United States and China. Among the countries, the German market , after years of contraction, is returning to positive territory, with exports of €153 million and a 12% growth compared to 2024 and a 20% growth compared to 2020, reaffirming its position as the reference market for Italian exports of residential valves and faucets. This trend could offer a significant contribution to the European sector and offset, at least in part, the impact of geopolitical instability on strategic markets such as the Middle East , an area worth €874.9 million to Italy overall. Furthermore, among the countries that recorded the most positive export performances in 2025, Norway also stands out, with a 59% increase. Besides geopolitical instability and its impact on strategic markets, what other concerns do industry entrepreneurs have? 2026 will also see rising energy costs, currency instability, tariff uncertainty, logistical challenges, the lack of true free movement of goods, and an unclear European regulatory framework, often perceived as poorly aligned with industry needs. In a complex scenario like this, it is crucial to strengthen dialogue and collaboration beyond national borders, creating concrete opportunities for discussion and cooperation between businesses, institutions, and trade associations. The goal is to jointly address sensitive issues for the sector (such as PFAS, nuclear power, and lead) and identify common solutions and best practices, recognized and adopted internationally. It is precisely in this direction that AVR is committed to creating the first Global Forum dedicated to valves and faucets . This meeting aims to leverage international experiences and offer shared tools to address the main challenges common to all businesses operating in countries around the world. "The Italian valves and taps sector confirms its position as an international benchmark, thanks to highly specialized manufacturing capabilities, a strong focus on innovation, and a consolidated presence in key foreign markets, " stated Sandro Bonomi, President of AVR . " The 2025 data confirm the sector's solidity, but at the same time highlight how complex and constantly evolving the global landscape remains. In this scenario, for a highly export-oriented sector like ours, it is essential to be able to rely on conditions that support the competitiveness of companies and enhance their presence on international markets. The discussions launched at MCE with the International Valves and Taps Alliance are moving precisely in this direction: strengthening dialogue between the sector's key stakeholders and sharing a common vision of the industrial, technical, and commercial challenges that lie ahead." AVR is the federated industrial association of ANIMA Confindustria, representing Italian companies in the valve and faucet industry, with over 80 member companies. In 2025, the sector, which includes building valves, industrial valves, sanitary faucets, and fittings, is projected to generate revenues of €9.55 billion, with exports accounting for nearly €6.2 billion, more than 60% of total revenues (estimate by the Anima Confindustria Research Office). The member associations of the International Valves and Taps Alliance: AVR – Italian Valve and Tap Manufacturers Association, AGRIVAL (Spain), BVAA (UK), CIPHE (UK), EVOLIS (France), FLUIDEX (Spain), IAPMO (USA), JVMA (Japan), POMSAD (Turkey), SAI, Valves and Fittings (Sweden), SPAP (Poland), URS (Switzerland), VDMA (Germany), VMA (USA). ANIMA Confindustria Meccanica Varia is the trade organization within Confindustria (Italian Confederation of Mechanical Engineering) that represents companies in the mechanical and related sectors, a sector that employs 221,700 people, generates a turnover of €56 billion and accounts for 60% of exports (data from the Anima Research Office). The main sectors represented by ANIMA are: construction and infrastructure; material handling and logistics; food production; energy production; industrial production; and safety and environment.
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