Hollow glass machinery: global trade set to accelerate in 2026

The global trade in machinery for the production and processing of hollow glass¹ has shown a marked reversal in the first seven months of 2026, compared with the weakness that characterised the 2022–2025 period. The recovery has been particularly strong among the leading exporting countries, while demand patterns vary considerably across markets, with a sharp acceleration in East Asia and several European countries.

The picture emerging from ExportPlanning data updated to July 2026 therefore points to a sector undergoing rapid change, in which the ability to monitor international trade flows promptly is becoming particularly important.

Global exports return to growth

Over the 2022–2025 period, international trade recorded an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11%. The leading exporters of hollow glass machinery experienced an overall downturn. Germany, Japan and Singapore recorded average annual contractions ranging from 15% to 26%, while Italy posted a more moderate decline of 3.6% per year. China, the world's leading exporter, maintained a broadly stable performance.

The first seven months of 2026, however, paint a markedly different picture. Global exports increased by 32.7% compared with the same period in 2025.

Japan recorded the strongest growth, with exports rising by 166.2% year on year. This is particularly significant when compared with the trend over the preceding three years, when the CAGR stood at -15%.

Exports also accelerated sharply in Singapore (+74.7%), which continues to serve as a logistics hub, and Germany (+68.3%). Meanwhile, China, which exported approximately €783 million worth of machinery in 2025, increased its international sales by 38.7%.

Italy's performance stands out as a clear exception. In the first seven months of 2026, Italian exports fell by 38.6%, deepening the negative trend already observed in the preceding period.

Table 1 - Hollow glass machinery: Export trends in the leading exporting countries
(current values)

Source: ExportPlanning calculations

Italy's performance deserves particular attention: this is not simply a case of exports underperforming those of competitors, but a clear divergence from the recovery in global trade in the sector.

Demand shifts towards Asia

Destination markets also show a substantial reshaping of trade flows in the first seven months of 2026.

The most significant development concerns East Asia, where some markets have recorded exceptionally strong increases in imports. South Korea increased its purchases by 348.5%, while Taiwan posted growth of 273.3%. Other Asian markets have also experienced a sharp acceleration, confirming the region's growing role in global demand for glassmaking technologies.

South Korea's figures are particularly noteworthy: in the first seven months of 2026, imports reached approximately €282 million, already exceeding the total value recorded in 2025, which amounted to €225 million.

The recovery in demand nevertheless varies considerably across markets. The following table compares the structural trend over 2022–2025 with the change recorded in the first seven months of 2026, highlighting the markets where demand is accelerating most strongly.

Table 2 - Hollow glass machinery: Import trends in the leading importing countries
(current values)

Source: ExportPlanning calculations

Growth is not confined to Asia. In Europe, several major markets are showing strong signs of recovery, including Belgium (+91.3%) and France (+40.5%). Italy has also recorded an increase of 35.9%, although its import value is not high enough to place it among the world's ten largest markets.

Not all markets are participating in the recovery

The recovery in trade is not uniform. Among the leading destination markets, the United States stands out as the clearest example of weakness. Imports of hollow glass machinery fell by 38.1% in the first seven months of 2026, extending the negative trend observed over 2022–2025, when the market recorded an average annual contraction of 11%.

Negative trends have also affected other markets, including China (-3.9%), Germany (-6.0%), Uzbekistan (-60.2%) and Turkey (-36.0%).

The global market is therefore becoming increasingly difficult to describe in terms of a uniform trend: strong growth in some markets coexists with persistently weak demand in others.

Conclusions

A comparison between trends over recent years and those recorded in January–July 2026 suggests that the hollow glass machinery sector is undergoing a significant realignment.

The sharp acceleration in China, Japan, Germany and Singapore is reshaping the supply-side landscape, while increased purchases in East Asia and some European markets are opening up new demand opportunities. Conversely, the contraction in Italian exports highlights the need for Italian manufacturers to identify promptly where new demand flows are concentrated and which competitors are benefiting most from the recovery.

In a market characterised by such wide variations, annual data alone may fail to capture ongoing changes quickly enough.

Monthly updates, by contrast, turn international trade monitoring into an operational tool for market and competitive analysis, supporting export and business development decisions.

To this end, ExportPlanning offers the Customs Declarations Database, an on-demand service providing monthly market data, customised by customs codes and target markets.

Configure the service here