“The upturn that began in the fourth quarter of 2009 has continued apace. Orders for German plastics and rubber machinery rose by 77 per cent between January and August 2010,” added Thorsten Kühmann, Managing Director of the Association. Domestic orders were 55 per cent up on the previous year, while orders from abroad increased by 87 per cent. These came mainly from Asia, where China and India continue to set the pace, but demand is also rising sharply on a number of Latin American markets.

On the basis of the annual sales forecast for 2010, the industry is expecting 10 per cent growth next year. “German manufacturers who exhibit at K 2010 are coming to the leading international trade fair in Düsseldorf with high expectations,” said Ulrich Reifenhäuser. “They are hoping that their talks with customers and other interested parties will help maintain the momentum, thereby paving the way for the year ahead,” he added.