THE ITALIAN GLASS INDUSTRY

Flat glass
The year 2008 was marked by a significant drop in flat glass production, in contrast to a considerable increase in exports.

FLAT GLASS - in tons Items 2006 2007 2008 % Diff. 2008/2007 Production 1.141.874 1.125.097 1.067.817 -5,09 Exports 187.841 176.079 202.423 14,96 Imports 400.574 514.448 448.474 -12,82

Hollow glass
Unlike the flat glass sector, Italy’s hollow glass sector ended the year with a slight growth in production which, considering the decline in exports and rise in imports, indicates an
appreciable increase in domestic consumption.

HOLLOW GLASS - in tons Items 2006 2007 2008 % Diff. 2008/2007 Production 3.721.288 3.789.249 3.835.239 1,21 Exports 535.948 570.037 558.079 -2,10 Imports 458.411 475.418 530.928 11,68

Bottles
Growth in this sector’s production ran parallel to a drop in exports. There was, however, a
noteworthy increase in imports.

BOTTLES - in tons Items 2006 2007 2008 % Diff. 2008/2007 Production 3.167.500 3.227.252 3.266.982 1,23 Exports 291.513 320.075 311.900 -2,55 Imports 237.853 230.530 293.510 27,32

Vases
The moderate rise in production and sharp increase in exports (a trend which was already in progress in 2007) indicate a reduction in domestic demand for vases. The imports, which have fallen significantly with respect to the previous year, confirm this trend.

VASES - in tons Items 2006 2007 2008 % Diff. 2008/2007 Production 242.009 240.680 258.788 7,52 Exports 18.282 20.215 24.909 23,22 Imports 65.513 85.217 80.065 -6,05

Small bottles and vials
After the considerable growth in production recorded in 2007, the year 2008 ended with a
slight drop. Exports remained virtually the same, while there was a sharp decline in imports.

SMALL BOTTLES AND VIALS - in tons Items 2006 2007 2008 % Diff. 2008/2007 Production 139.532 152.590 148.577 -2,63 Exports 98.103 101.448 101.550 0,10 Imports 62.564 62.551 58.345 -6,72

Housewares
Production dropped, in connection with a slight dip in exports. The increase in imports,
although minimal, indicates a decided market preference for foreign products.

HOUSEWARES - in tons Items 2006 2007 2008 % Diff. 2008/2007 Production 172.247 168.727 160.892 -4,64 Exports 128.050 128.299 119.720 -6,69 Imports 92.481 97.120 99.008 1,94 CRYSTALWARE - in tons (Assovetro estimates) Items 2007 2008 % Diff. 2008/2007 Production 103.000 106.000 2,91 Exports 60.558 56.558 -6,61 Imports 12.975 12.228 -5,76 OTHER GLASSWARE (Assovetro estimates) Items 2007 2008 % Diff. 2008/2007 Production 315.000 325.000 3,17 Exports 372.005 378.505 1,75 Imports 382.617 360.596 -5,76

2008 FOREIGN TRADE (in tons)
Products	Exports	Imports	Balance
Flat glass	202.423	448.474	-246.051
Hollow glass	558.079	530.928	27.151
Bottles	311.900	293.510	18.390
Vases	24.909	80.065	-55.156
Small bottles and vials	101.550	58.345	43.205
Houseware	119.720	99.008	20.712
Crystalware	56.558	12.228	44.330
Other glassware	378.505	360.596	17.909