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UCIMU: ORDERS INDEX IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2026 RISE (+10.5%) FOREIGN ORDERS (+24.7%); DOMESTIC ORDERS (-7.1%).

In the third quarter of 2026, the machine tool orders index compiled by the UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE Study & Business Culture Centre recorded a 10.5% increase compared to the July-September 2025 period . In absolute value, the index stood at 58.9 (base 100 in 2021). In particular, orders collected across borders grew by +24.7% compared to the third quarter of 2025, for an absolute value of 108.6. Order intake in Italy, however, decreased by 7.1% compared to the same period of the previous year. The absolute value of the index stood at 14.3. Riccardo Rosa , President of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, stated: " Domestic demand remains weak despite the numerous ongoing negotiations. The uncertainty of the international context and the increase in energy costs are clearly impacting the activity of Italian manufacturing operators, who are postponing investments pending greater clarity. We are therefore confident ," added President Riccardo Rosa , " that Italian demand will be able to regain momentum, also supported by the hyper-depreciation measure which, in version 5.0, allows for better planning of investments, which can be spread out until September 2028. " Italian manufacturers' activity on foreign markets, however, has been decidedly dynamic. In addition to the United States, where demand remains particularly strong, Germany is also beginning to show signs of recovery: certainly good news for the Italian industry in the sector. According to data processed by the UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE Study & Business Culture Centre, in the first half of 2026 (latest available data), the main outlet markets for Italian supply in the sector were the United States (329 million euros +12.6%) and Germany (137 million euros, +7.6%), followed by France, Poland, and Spain. “In particular, the aerospace and defense sectors, as well as the energy sector, are driving orders, regardless of the country of reference,” concluded Riccardo Rosa . These are the latest sector data presented by the president of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, Riccardo Rosa , on the occasion of the inauguration of 35.BI-MU, the international sector event taking place at fieramilano Rho from 12 to 16 October . Speakers at the meeting chaired by Rosa included Valentino Valentini , Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy; Giovanni Bozzetti, President of Fondazione Fiera Milano; Simona Greco , Hosted Exhibitions Director of Fiera Milano; and Luca Durante , Head of the Capital Goods Office at ICE-Agenzia. The second part of the event featured an interview with Gian Piero Cutillo, Co-General Manager of Leonardo, and Roberto Vavassori , Executive Director of Brembo and President of ANFIA, conducted by Paolo Bricco, Special Correspondent, Il Sole 24 Ore. The event features over 400 companies , spread across a total area of ​​40,000 square meters in pavilions 22 and 24. The spotlight will be on machine tools, robotics, automation, additive manufacturing, digital manufacturing, artificial intelligence, measurement and quality control systems, components, and enabling technologies for the smart factory. The event, promoted by UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE and organized by EFIM-ENTE FIERE ITALIANE MACCHINE, significantly enhances the thematic cultural dimension. Over 50 events are planned , including conferences, workshops, and round tables. New features this year include two special forums dedicated to the Aerospace & Defense and Energy sectors, strategic sectors that will be analyzed through the direct testimony of production and operations directors of some of the main international players and the CEOs of several Italian SMEs. In terms of training, the VLF4EU (Virtual Learning Factory for EU) International Conference is particularly relevant, focusing on an innovative training system based on the Digital Twin of the factory. The conference will feature around thirty researchers from Denmark, France, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Italy. The relationship between young people and the world of work will be explored in depth at the meeting " Value, Future, Impact. Work According to the New Generation ," organized by ANIPLA with the patronage of the UCIMU Foundation. These conferences are part of the Skills Area 's calendar of meetings. Located in Pavilion 24, the Skills Area will host initiatives promoted by UCIMU Academy and the UCIMU Foundation . Among these, ROBOTGAMES , the automation and robotics competition for secondary school students, now in its second edition, will once again be held.

Mechanical exports exceed 20 billion euros in the first half of the year

The figures presented at Anima Export Days 2026: +2.8% compared to the same period last year. Exports are growing in the USA, China, and Germany. Exports of the mechanical engineering sector represented by Anima Confindustria reached €20.4 billion in the first half of 2026, up 2.8% compared to the same period in 2025. The data, processed by Anima's Statistics Office based on Istat data, were presented during the Brescia leg of Anima Export Days , the initiative dedicated to the internationalization of the Italian mechanical engineering sector. Running from September 28th to October 1st, the event is bringing together companies in the sector with selected international buyers. Now in its sixth edition, the Export Days are a collaboration between Anima Confindustria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), with the aim of fostering new trade relations and supporting the strengthening of Italian companies' presence in foreign markets . This year, the B2B meetings involve operators from over 20 countries and are taking place in four locations : Borgosesia, Turin, Brescia, and Bassano del Grappa. The initiative comes at a time when geopolitical tensions and uncertainties over trade policies continue to impact international trade. Against this backdrop, data for the first half of 2026 paint a resilient picture for the mechanical engineering sector, represented by Anima. Exports from Anima's sectors totaled €20.4 billion , up 2.8% from €19.8 billion in the same period in 2025. The trend confirms the sector's strong international vocation , albeit with varying trends. The main export components include valves and faucets , gas turbines, hydraulic pumps, and air conditioning systems. Other sectors are showing positive results, while others are experiencing a decline. Geographically, the United States remains the leading destination market for exports in the animal and animal sectors, with €2.38 billion in the first six months of 2026, up 2.4% compared to the same period of the previous year. Germany follows, with €1.99 billion (+4.8%), and France, with €1.81 billion (+2.9%). Alongside the more established European markets, some particularly significant trends are emerging in non-EU areas, starting with China, the Middle East, and North Africa. Despite a general decline towards the Gulf countries (-3.7%), exports to Saudi Arabia grew by 14.6% (665.1 million euros) , supported by the sectors related to process plants, energy, infrastructure and cooling. In China , exports of the Anima sectors grew by 22.3% and reached almost 720 million euros . The aeraulic systems sector was the main driver of this increase. Steam turbines and air compressors also recorded good growth in China. Algeria's growth was even more significant, rising 146.7% from €173.3 million to €427.6 million. This result was primarily driven by technologies such as gas turbines (which account for approximately 47% of total exports to the country), valves and taps, as well as pressure products and equipment. These flows are often tied to individual orders and therefore not necessarily characterized by continuous trends, but the data highlights the ability of Italian companies to seize opportunities even in rapidly developing markets. "The 2.8% growth in exports in the first half of the year confirms the ability of Italian mechanical engineering to maintain a competitive position on international markets, even in a period characterized by geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainty. The United States remains the primary destination market, while the results in China and Algeria demonstrate the ability of companies to seize opportunities in different markets. This is a sign of resilience that must be accompanied by greater diversification and a strengthened international presence. In this regard, the Export Days represent a concrete tool for creating new relationships and business opportunities," stated Pietro Almici, president of Anima Confindustria . On the import front, in the first six months of the year, the Anima sectors recorded a 1.2% increase, for a total value of 9.73 billion euros; this figure completes the current trade picture and confirms the centrality now assumed by international markets beyond the European one. It is in this context that Anima is renewing its Export Days , transforming market analysis into a concrete opportunity for supply and demand to meet.

Steel exports: the top ten hubs are worth €6.9 billion.

In the first half of 2026, exports from the main steel districts grew by 1.9%. Imports decreased by 9.2%. The Italian steel industry is holding up on foreign markets, but at very different rates across regions. In the first half of 2026, exports in value of steel products, pipes and other products from the first transformation of steel from the top ten Italian steel hubs reached almost 6.9 billion euros , compared to 6.7 billion in the same period of 2025, marking a growth of 1.9% . The data for the top ten hubs is more dynamic than the overall export trend: overall, they fell by 0.1% in value in the half-year, compared to a 0.2% increase in volume . This slight decrease, explains the siderweb Research Office, is due to lower sales prices. The rankings confirm Brescia at the top. Udine maintains second place, and Cremona third. However, the rankings show significant changes: Milan gains two spots, Reggio Emilia gains one, while Bergamo loses two and Lecco loses one . Brescia strengthens its leadership. Milan climbs. The Brescia hub remains Italy's leading steel hub in terms of export value, recording growth of 7.1% . This increase allows Brescia to widen its lead over Udine: the gap between the top two hubs increases from 74.7 to 96.5 million euros . Udine maintains second place with a 5.3% increase in exports. However, Cremona recorded the strongest growth among the top ten hubs, consolidating its third place: +12.6%. Mantua , fourth in the ranking, saw a 5.8% drop in exports. Milan saw significant growth, rising two places with a 4.5% increase. Vicenza retained its sixth position, with export values ​​essentially unchanged compared to the first half of 2025. The most negative figure in the ranking is that of Bergamo , which recorded a 19.5% contraction in exports and dropped two positions. On the other hand, Reggio Emilia recorded one of the most significant increases, with an 11.1% increase, and rose one position. Terni grew by 7.8% and maintained its eighth place. Lecco rounded out the top 10, with exports down 3%. Taranto , home to the Acciaierie d'Italia steelmaking hub, is also outside the top 20 in the first half of 2026. Exports fell by 86.5%. In 2025, the value had fallen by 40.3% compared to the previous year, stopping at 42 million euros (362 million in 2022). Imports: €500 million less from the top ten hubs The picture is changing for foreign purchases. In the first half of 2026, imports from the top ten steel hubs decreased by 9.2%, from 5.8 to 5.3 billion euros : approximately 500 million euros less in a year. At the national level, the contraction is even more marked: imports of steel products, pipes, and other products from the first steel transformation decreased by 13% in value and 15.9% in quantity. The different dynamics between European and non-EU suppliers is particularly significant. Imports from non-EU countries decreased by 22.5%, equal to approximately 1.6 million tonnes, while those from EU countries decreased by 2.1%. In the context outlined by the analysis by the siderweb Research Office, the reduction in non-EU purchases is also linked to the full implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) .

Anima Confindustria met with ministers from Jordan in Milan

Discussion with Zeina Touqan and Tareq Abu Ghazaleh to develop new opportunities for the Italian mechanical engineering industry Anima Confindustria promoted an institutional discussion in Milan with Jordan on business and investment prospects for the Italian mechanical engineering industry . The roundtable, organized in collaboration with the Joint Italian Arab Chamber of Commerce and Assolombarda , brought together Jordanian businesses and institutional representatives to identify concrete opportunities for Italian companies. The meeting was attended by HE Zeina Touqan, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation of Jordan; HE Tareq Abu Ghazaleh, Minister of Investment ; and Raffaele Cattaneo , Undersecretary to the Presidency for International and European Relations of the Lombardy Region . The two representatives of the Jordanian government met with several Italian companies during the morning. In the afternoon, the round table was chaired by Alberto Zerbinato, Vice President of Anima Confindustria with responsibility for internationalization. The discussion allowed for a deeper exploration of projects and collaboration opportunities in sectors of interest to the Italian mechanical engineering industry , including water and wastewater management, waste treatment, hydroelectric power, construction and tourism infrastructure, and technologies and machinery for the pharmaceutical sector. " We want to strengthen trade relations with Jordan and develop new cooperation opportunities for our companies. Our goal is to consolidate dialogue and create concrete opportunities for collaboration in the industrial sectors we serve best ," said Alberto Zerbinato , vice president of Anima Confindustria with responsibility for internationalization. For the Federation, the meeting represented an opening towards a market where excellent opportunities can emerge related to investment, infrastructure, sustainability, and innovation. Anima thus brings the Italian mechanical engineering sector into direct dialogue with Jordanian public bodies and businesses. The meeting was a stepping stone to the Jordan-EU Investment Conference , scheduled for November 19th at the Dead Sea , attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and attended by a delegation from Anima Confindustria. The conference will focus on investment and cooperation opportunities between Jordan and the European Union and will provide a further opportunity for economic operators to engage in dialogue.

Nuclear Ddl, Anima Confindustria: "Not just an energy choice. A decisive step for the development of the Italian industrial sector."

Vice President Marco Golinelli: "Implementing decrees, investments, and business qualifications will be crucial to transforming nuclear power into an opportunity for our manufacturing industry." The Senate's final approval of the enabling bill on sustainable nuclear energy marks a new phase for Italian industry. According to Anima Confindustria , a federation of 35 associations representing mechanical engineering companies, the priority now is to translate the new regulatory framework into an industrial policy capable of leveraging the country's existing technological and manufacturing expertise and strengthening Italian companies' participation in European and international nuclear programs. Anima Confindustria has followed the measure from the early stages of the parliamentary process, speaking at a hearing in the Chamber to emphasize that nuclear power represents not only an energy choice but also a long-term industrial project . In this context, the Government has committed to encouraging the participation of Italian industry in nuclear development programs, enhancing the contribution of businesses, research institutions, and universities. "The approval of the delegation is an important step, but it represents a starting point. It's certainly positive that a proposal launched by Anima Confindustria, which strengthened the focus on leveraging national and European suppliers in identifying technologies , was accepted during the Chamber's consideration," said Marco Golinelli , vice president of Anima Confindustria. "The real challenge will be to transform the law's guidelines into concrete industrial policy. We need clear implementing decrees, clear timelines, and tools to support companies in investing, qualifying, and accessing new supply chains." Numerous companies represented by Anima already operate in the European and international nuclear supply chains and possess expertise, technologies, and certifications applicable to next-generation plants. The Nuclear Group, active within Anima Energia, also operates along this path, bringing together several member companies committed to fostering discussion, collaboration, and growth in the sector in Italy. " Nuclear energy can become a lever for competitiveness, innovation, and strategic autonomy for the country ," concludes Golinelli. "To achieve this, the industrial sector must be involved in implementation decisions from the outset. Anima is ready to collaborate with the government and institutions to ensure that the Italian mechanical engineering sector plays a fundamental role in the development of an Italian industrial sector." The discussion will continue at the Italy-France Civil Nuclear Summit 2026 , promoted by Anima Confindustria in collaboration with Ain, Business France, and ICE Agenzia. The event will kick off on October 12th in Milan and will bring together institutions and key industrial players from both countries, with meetings dedicated to cooperation, supply chains, and business opportunities.

Valvitalia among the Italian companies participating in the Italy-Egypt business forum in Cairo.

President Salvatore Ruggeri: "Participation in the Forum confirms the value of the long-standing relationship with Egypt, consolidating a path of industrial collaboration and enhancing the capabilities of Italian industry." Chief Operating Officer Luca Ruggeri: "Egypt remains a key market for Valvitalia, with new opportunities linked to growing gas exports and strengthening collaboration between Italy and the North African country." Valvitalia participated in the Italy-Egypt Business Forum , held in Cairo, involving approximately 100 companies and over 600 professionals, including businesses and institutions from both countries. The event, which focused on sectors such as energy, green transition, infrastructure, and industrial technologies, was held with the aim of strengthening trade and investment, fostering new opportunities for collaboration. The Forum was held in the presence of Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani , as part of the institutional mission aimed at consolidating the partnership between Italy and Egypt. Also in attendance were Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin and Minister of Labor and Social Policies Marina Calderone. Participation in the event confirms the importance of the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region in Valvitalia's business. Overall, orders from the area represent nearly 30% of the Group's bookings, confirming the region's importance for business development. Valvitalia has been present in Egypt for over ten years and has built a significant portfolio of installed solutions supporting the country's energy infrastructure. Salvatore Ruggeri , President of Valvitalia , commented: "Participation in the Italy-Egypt Business Forum confirms the value of the relationships Valvitalia has built over time with the country and its institutional and industrial partners. Our presence in Egypt demonstrates the ability of Italian industry to provide expertise, technology, and manufacturing capabilities to support infrastructure development. Strengthening relations between Italy and Egypt is therefore an important step towards consolidating a long-term industrial collaboration." Luca Ruggeri , Chief Commercial Officer of Valvitalia, commented: "Egypt confirms its central role in our internationalization strategy. The evolution of the Egyptian energy system and, in particular, the investments aimed at strengthening gas export capacity open up new prospects for Valvitalia in a sector that represents our core business. The Mattei Plan also contributes to strengthening the framework of collaboration between the two countries and creating new development opportunities for Italian companies." In 2025, trade between Italy and Egypt reached 5.9 billion euros, an 11.7% increase compared to the previous year, while in the first five months of 2026 it recorded a further 7.5% increase. The growing collaboration between the two countries is also supported by the Mattei Plan , which identifies Egypt among the focus countries and priority partners.