Export Markets

Frankfurt – October 31, 2026 -- Orders at German machine tool makers rose 12% year on year in the second quarter of 2026, following a 15% gain in the first quarter and bringing the first-half increase to 14%, according to the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association). Domestic orders climbed 16% and foreign orders 13%.

Bernhard Geis, head of economics and statistics at the VDW, said the trough is behind the industry and the upward trend is consolidating. He cautioned against an all-clear, however. The recovery starts from a low base, and project business still contributes substantially to growth, so a broad-based demand recovery can only be claimed to a limited extent.

MEXICO CITY – October 30, 2026 -- Taiwan will field 29 companies at PLASTIMAGEN MÉXICO 2026, targeting buyers in Mexico and across North America with plastics processing, printing and packaging, testing, colorant and finished-product offerings.

Mexico ranked ninth among destinations for Taiwan's plastics and rubber machinery exports in 2024, at US$23.88 million, according to the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry's 2025-2026 directory. The United States ranked third, with US$64.44 million.

Taiwan's 2025 plastics and rubber exports to the U.S. reach US$3.0894 billion

Taiwan's Ministry of Finance reports 2025 U.S. exports of US$650 million in plastic raw materials, US$1.8178 billion in plastic products and US$621.6 million in rubber and related articles. Mexico's Ministry of Economy reports that Mexico imported about US$40.7 billion in plastics and rubber goods in 2024.