Flex-pack Demand To Increase 3.5% by 2013
- Published: October 14, 2009
CLEVELAND, OH | A September 2009 study, titled “World Converted Flexible Packaging, by The Freedonia Group, forecasts world demand for flexible packaging to increase 3.5%/year to over 19 million metric tons in 2013. Growth in food and beverage production, representing the largest market by far, is cited as contributing to this rise in demand. The study also claims cost, performance, and source reduction advantages, as well as ongoing developments in high-barrier resins and value-added features as favorable characteristics over rigid packaging.
However, the study indicates gains will be limited where flex-packs are well established, such as in the US, Western Europe, and Japan. As well, material downgauging will restrain volume gains.
Fastest gains will be seen in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Africa/Mideast region. Supporting advances in these generally underdeveloped packaging sectors are population growth and greater urbanization (except in Eastern Europe), industrialization trends, and expanding international trade. Some of the best gains are expected in China, now considered the world’s second largest converted flexible packaging market, falling behind first place US, followed by third place Japan, then India. Russia and Indonesia are also expected to make rapid gains.
In terms of substrates, plastic films that account for three-quarters of global converted flexible packaging material demand will continue to make inroads at the expense of paper and aluminum foil. In addition, according to a summary of the report, developments in flexible packaging films, such as breathable properties, biodegradable films, and high-barrier resins, will support demand in new and existing applications, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
The 363-page report is available for $5,600 by contacting Corinne Gangloff at 440-684-9600 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
