Metal industry on the brakes in 2025: Automotive falling, exports slowing down

Within the European Union, the sector's exports recorded a negative change only to France (-0.2%). In terms of flows to non-EU markets, the United States, with a 10.4% share of the sector's total, is the second largest market for metalworking products, with an average annual increase of 1.8%, mainly due to sales of transport equipment, but excluding motor vehicles, which, on the contrary, recorded a sharp drop of -18.5%.

The results of the 177th survey that Federmeccanica conducted among a sample of member companies show a still critical picture, conditioned by the persistent climate of strong uncertainty as evidenced by the modest positive result of the order portfolio and a production forecast for foreign countries that is lower than the total.

28% (as in the last survey) of the companies surveyed declared an improving order book compared to 27% who reported a deterioration. The balance is positive but limited to +1% and a negative opinion on the level of orders continues to prevail.

The percentage of companies that rate the liquidity situation as 'bad or very bad' is 9%; 47% (up from the previous 45%) believe that there will be no change in production volumes in the coming months (32% expect increases compared to 21% who, on the other hand, foresee contractions). The share of companies that do not expect to change their workforce is confirmed at 68% (20% expect increases compared to 12% who, on the other hand, foresee downsizing).

63% of metalworking companies participating in the survey stated that they use steel in their business. Of these, 42% said that, in the context of the total raw materials used in production, the incidence of steel procurement costs was more than 30%.

With reference to suppliers, more than 60% of the companies surveyed purchase steel from suppliers located in Italia, with the distinction that in 34% of cases it is a domestic steel producer and in 29% a distributor. For 64% of entrepreneurs, the purchase of domestically produced steel, as opposed to foreign supply, is a factor of competitiveness (for cost or other reasons) for our country's industrial system. 68% believe that restoring the operations of the former Ilva can be strategic for both the Italia and the European industrial system

'Our companies need Italian steel,' says Simone Bettini, president of Federmeccanica, 'Italia needs the former Ilva. The message from the metalworking industry coming from our survey is loud and clear. And it is a message that we pass on to those who can activate the right levers to turn a serious problem into a great opportunity for Italia. Our country must avoid any form of tactical dependence and must achieve full strategic autonomy, which is fundamental for resuming a healthy growth path'.

For Federmeccanica vice president Alessia Miotto, 'another war has just broken out, the effects of which could be devastating for global trade and therefore for our companies. At this stage, a systemic action in our country is of the utmost importance in order to adopt all those measures necessary, on the one hand, to withstand the shock wave in the immediate term and, on the other, to develop a medium to long-term vision that puts industry at the centre. We are on a dangerous ridge not only for our companies but also for the country. Without strong manufacturing, the Italian economy cannot hold up'.