TL;DR Breakdown
- Italy takes the lead in the European robotics and automation industry with 655 companies, outpacing France and Germany.
- The Italian robotics industry dominates the packaging machinery sector, capturing 16.5% of the global market.
- Italy’s agility and specialization in adapting to market demands make it a preferred engineering partner in automation solutions.
According to a recent report by HowToRobot in collaboration with UCIMA (the Italian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers’ Association), Italy has solidified its position as the leading country in the European robotics and automation industry. The study highlights Italy’s dominance in terms of the number of businesses in the sector, surpassing other European powerhouses such as France and Germany. With an impressive total of 655 companies, Italy has emerged as the largest robotics industry in Europe.
Italy’s dominance in packaging machinery and automation
Søren Peters, the CEO of HowToRobot, emphasized Italy’s prowess in providing and adopting robotics and automation solutions, attributing its success to a well-established and diverse automation industry. Peters noted, “With the growing global need for proven and robust automation solutions, Italy has much to offer.”
One of the key strengths of the Italian robotics industry lies in packaging machinery and automation. Italy boasts the highest share of the global packaging machinery market, standing at 16.5%, with a turnover of €8.1 billion ($8.69 billion U.S.) in 2021. This places Italy ahead of Germany, which holds an estimated market share of 14.9%, according to UCIMA. Notably, a significant portion of the Italian packaging machinery’s turnover, approximately 78%, comes from exports.
Italy’s leadership in meeting the growing demand for automation
Gian Paolo Crasta, the executive director at UCIMA, highlighted Italy’s pioneering role in research and development, particularly in the field of efficient and automated industrial lines. He stated, “Italian manufacturers are preferred engineering partners of many companies across various sectors globally, including food, beverage, pharma, chemical, tissue, home, and personal care.”
The demand for automation in both local and global markets is on the rise, and Italy’s robot and automation industry is well-positioned to cater to these needs. The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) predicts that global robot installations will increase from 517,000 in 2021 to 690,000 in 2025, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. Italy, with its already widespread adoption of robotics and automation, is poised to capitalize on this growth. Factors such as labor shortages, the expansion of e-commerce, and the need to enhance productivity in the face of intense competition contribute to the increasing demand for automation solutions in Italy.
Italian robotics industry: Agile, diverse, and preferred engineering partners
The report also highlights the Italian robotics industry’s ability to swiftly adapt to evolving market demands, underscoring its specialization in developing and integrating proven systems tailored to the requirements of end-users. This agility positions Italian suppliers as preferred partners in engineering collaboration.
Key statistics and research presented in the report, titled “Market Analysis of Robot and Automation Firms in Italy 2023,” shed light on the Italian robot and automation industry:
- Italy leads Europe in the number of robot and automation suppliers, with 655 companies, followed by France (628 companies) and Germany (540 companies).
- Among Italy’s robot and automation suppliers, 70% are integrators, followed by sub-component suppliers (22%), robot manufacturers (5%), distributors (3%), and advisors (1%).
- Handling and picking automation is the most commonly offered solution type by Italian robot and automation suppliers (355 companies), followed by packing and palletizing (265 companies), and machining and shearing (196 companies).
To gain comprehensive insights into the Italian robot and automation industry, including market trends, statistics, and detailed information about each supplier, readers are encouraged to peruse the full market report.
Italy has firmly established itself as the leading force in the European robotics and automation sector. The country’s robust and diverse automation industry, coupled with its expertise in packaging machinery, positions Italy as a global leader in providing innovative and efficient automation solutions. As the demand for automation continues to surge, Italy’s strong presence in the industry ensures its continued growth and influence in shaping the future of robotics and automation.
