According to incomplete statistics, the total value of U.S. plastics machinery orders in the fourth quarter of 2013 was approximately $335 million, the highest for the fourth quarter of the year. SPI stated that the market value of U.S. plastics machinery orders in the fourth quarter increased by 3 percentage points compared to the third quarter of 2013, and was slightly lower than the same period in 2012. It is reported that 2012 was a golden period for the North American plastics machinery market. That year, orders for injection molding machines, film blowing machines, extruders, molding machines, and other auxiliary equipment in the region all achieved comprehensive growth.
SPI industry analysts pointed out that, overall, U.S. plastics machinery orders in 2013 increased by 8% compared to the previous year. Among them, orders for injection molding machines in the fourth quarter fell by nearly 5 percentage points compared to the same period in 2012. Meanwhile, orders for single-screw extruders also decreased by 2%. However, orders for twin-screw extruders in the U.S. saw a significant increase that quarter, up 72% from the same period last year. In addition, the U.S. blow molding machine and thermoforming machine markets also experienced mixed results in the fourth quarter. Compared to the same period last year, blow molding machine orders hit a new high, increasing by 91%, while thermoforming machine orders fell by 34% compared to the same period last year.
Regarding auxiliary equipment, the market value of U.S. auxiliary equipment orders in the fourth quarter of 2013 was $101 million, an increase of 1% compared to the same period in 2012.
What is the outlook for the U.S. plastics machinery industry in 2014? Many industry insiders agree that it will continue the positive trend of 2013. The renowned consulting firm CES recently published a report stating that the U.S. plastics machinery industry began a quiet recovery as early as the end of last year, so 2014 is bound to be a year of warming for the industry.
CES plastics market economist Bill Wood stated that the current U.S. plastics machinery market has passed its winter period and is welcoming a thaw. "As the economic situation gradually improves, the U.S. plastics machinery market is expected to rebound further in the coming months," said Bill Wood.
In addition, CES conducted a survey report on regional markets and application fields. When asked where the largest sales market for U.S. plastics machinery would be in the next few years, most plastics machinery manufacturers identified North America and Mexico, while support for Europe and Latin America declined compared to previous years. As for terminal application fields, most respondents believe that the demand for plastics machinery in the automotive, packaging, and medical sectors is expected to further increase.