ACIMIT Reports 5% Drop In Q1 2026 Orders
Order intake for Italian textile machinery manufacturers declined by 5% year-on-year in Q1 2026, according to ACIMIT, reflecting a still challenging start to the year. The downturn was driven by foreign markets (-7%), while domestic demand showed strong growth (+21%). Compared to Q4 2025, total orders increased by 18%, with the orders index for January–March 2026 at 37.3 (base 2021=100), reaching 35.3 domestically and 37.6 internationally.
The order backlog ensured approximately 4.5 months of production visibility, with weaving and related segments showing relatively stronger performance. However, outlook for Q2 2026 remains cautious, with expectations of weakness in the domestic market and stability abroad.
Marco Salvadè, President of ACIMIT, noted that while domestic demand shows early signs of recovery, uncertainty in global markets and slow policy support continue to weigh on investment planning. He added that, in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), promotional efforts are being intensified across key markets, with optimism centred on ITMA 2027 in Hannover as a major opportunity for sector revival and international expansion.
