THE ITALIAN GLASS INDUSTRY

Flat glass
The year 2009 saw a significant and widespread drop in flat glass production, exports and imports.

FLAT GLASS - in tons Items 2007 2008 2009 % Diff. 2009/2008 Production 1,125,097 1,067,817 873,211 -18.22 Exports 176,079 202,423 159,123 -21.39 Imports 514,448 448,474 339,511 -24.30

Hollow glass
Similar to the flat glass sector, although to a lesser extent, the hollow glass sector ended the year with a reduction in production, exports and imports.

HOLLOW GLASS - in tons Items 2007 2008 2009 % Diff. 2009/2008 Production 3,789,249 3,835,239 3,468,997 -9.55 Exports 570,037 558,079 448,022 -19.72 Imports 475,418 530,928 479,926 -9.61

Bottles
Statistical data for this sector indicates, for the first time after many years, a negative trade balance for our country.

BOTTLES - in tons Items 2007 2008 2009 % Diff. 2009/2008 Production 3,227,252 3,266,982 2,965,113 -9.24 Exports 320,075 311,900 227,966 -26.91 Imports 230,530 293,510 261,368 -10.95

Vases
The appreciable drop in production and sharp increase in exports, against a smaller increase in imports, indicate a fall in domestic demand for vases.

VASES - in tons Items 2007 2008 2009 % Diff. 2009/2008 Production 240,680 258,788 230,945 -10.76 Exports   20,215   24,909   28,582 14.75 Imports   85,217   80,065   83,219 3.94

Small bottles and vials
After the considerable production growth in 2007, the downswing started in 2008 continued in 2009. Exports, after a basically stable year, fell in terms of value, while imports confirmed the downward trend begun in 2008.

SMALL BOTTLES AND VIALS - in tons Items 2007 2008 2009 % Diff. 2009/2008 Production 152,590 148,577 138,256 -6.95 Exports 101,448 101,550   92,956 -8.46 Imports   62,551   58,345   52,747 -9.59

Housewares
This sector suffered a general slump, with double-digit drops in all three of the items taken into consideration.

HOUSEWARES - in tons Items 2007 2008 2009 % Diff. 2009/2008 Production 168,727 160,892 134,683 -16.29 Exports 128,299 119,720   98,518 -17.71 Imports   97,120   99,008   82,592 -16.58 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

2009 FOREIGN TRADE (in tons)
Products	Exports	Imports	Balance
Flat glass	159,123	339,511	-180,388
Hollow glass	448,022	479,926	-31,904
Bottles	227,966	261,368	-33,402
Vases	28,582	83,219	-54,637
Small bottles and vials	92,956	52,747	40,209
Houseware	98,518	82,592	15,926