Following several quarters of sustained recovery since the lows recorded during the 2008-2009 period, Italy's textile machinery sector is now seeing a downturn in orders.

According to an economic survey carried out by the Italian machine builders association ACIMIT, the downturn already evident in the second quarter of 2011, was confirmed during the summer July to September period.

ACIMIT says the overall index* of orders for the year's third quarter shows a 45% decrease compared to the previous period, stopping at a value of 70.8 points.   Exports recorded the biggest drop where the index registered 75.3 points, a decrease of 46%.

In the domestic market orders fell 39% to a value of 60.4 points. "The economic context will remain uncertain over the coming months. Economic growth at a   global level is slackening off,   and this is also occurring in emerging markets with a greater demand for textile machinery," ACIMIT said in a statement today.

The organisation also says that for both the domestic and export markets, the majority of manufacturers estimate that the fourth quarter of 2011 will on the whole bring in a stable flow of orders compared to the previous three months. However, regarding export markets, and in spite of the positive signs at the recent ITMA trade fair, the percentage of companies forecasting increased orders is said to be greater than those which foresee increases in the domestic market (34% compared to 13%).

*Index of Orders: base 2005 = 100