The Glass Industry

After a growth in production in 2003 (+3.1%), the recessionary business climate
in 2004 resulted in an extremely limited growth rate of 0.9% for the glass industry.
No major production changes were observed in the various sectors, although both flat
glass (+1.3%) and hollow glass (+1%) posted satisfactory results. Glass yarns, however,
declined by –0.4%. The most conspicuous fluctuations were observed in the hollow
glass sector, with a decrease in the production of vases (+8.6%), vials (–7.8%),
homeware (-1.4%) and bottles (+1%).
The glass industry posted a €608 million trade surplus, with an increase compared
to 2003. Import (68.6%) and export (63.8%) shares from and to EU countries
remained virtually unchanged versus the previous year. Italy’s main trading partners
were France and Germany

Table 9 - Glass Industry: Summery Variables Unit of measure 2003 2004 Exports Millions of Euros 1873 1966 Imports Millions of Euros 1315 1358 Trade balance Millions of Euros 558 608 Production % Change + 3,1% + 0,9 Capacity utilisation In % 88,0 87,0 No. of employees Unit 20.000 19.800 Labor cost for employee % Change + 3,5 + 2,9 Source: Assovetro; Istat.

Table 10 - Glass Industry: Production Products 2003 2004 % Change Flat glass 969.176 981.842 + 1,3 Hollow glass (a) 3.718.610 3.755.597 + 1,0 Glass yarns 128.106 127.620 - 0,4 Cristal and other glassware 406.000 404.000 - 0,5 Total 5.221.892 5.269.059 + 0,9 (a) Includes bottles, vases, vials and homeware. istat data processed by Assovetro

Table 11 - Glass Industry: Crossborder trade Product Imports Exports 2003 2004 % Change 2003 2004 % Change Values (millions of Euros) Flat glass 160 143 - 10,6 85 85 - Hollow glass (a) 386 413 + 7,0 699 733 + 4,9 Glass yarns 247 250 + 1,2 215 217 + 0,9 Cristal and other glassware 522 552 + 5,8 874 931 + 6,5 Total 1315 1358 + 3,3 1873 1966 + 5,0 Quantity (thousands of tons) Flat glass 352,4 330,6 - 6,2 184,4 196,7 + 6,7 Hollow glass (a) 392,5 471,4 + 20,1 579,8 603,2 + 4,0 Glass yarns 122,2 133,7 + 9,4 92,5 103,3 + 11,7 Cristal and other glassware 354,8 359,1 + 1,2 312,2 333,6 + 6,9 Total 1221,9 1294,8 + 6,0 1168,9 1236,8 + 5,8 (a) Includes bottles, vases, vials and homeware. istat data processed by Assovetro

Table 12 - Glass Industry: Italy's trade with main countries   2003   2004 Countries % Share (a) Countries % Share (a) Main countries of origin France 23,4 France 22,1 Germany 18,1 Germany 19,5 Belgium 9,1 Belgium 8,2 Austria 5,5 Austria 6,6 United Kingdom 4,0 United Kingdom 4,2 EU15 countries 67,8 EU15 countries 68,6 Main countries of destination France 22,6 France 21,7 Germany 15,5 Germany 16,1 Belgium 7,3 Belgium 7,0 Austria 6,5 Austria 7,0 United Kingdom 3,8 United Kingdom 3,3 EU15 countries 64,5 EU15 countries 63,8 (a) Shares based on value data. istat data processed by Assovetro