Growth in global manufacturing output and greater spending on packaged goods worldwide
(particularly food and beverages in the Asia/Pacific region) will aid rigid packaging demand.
World demand to increase
6.4% yearly through 2016
World demand for rigid packaging is
forecast to increase 6.4 percent per year
to $472 billion in 2016. Factors contributing
to rising demand include growth in
global manufacturing output, increased
consumer spending on packaged goods
worldwide, and demographic trends such
as increasing urban populations, as
urban consumers tend to use more
packaged foods than their rural counterparts.
Rigid packaging consumption will
also be supported by the extensive and
expanding recycling infrastructure for
metal, glass, and plastic.
The largest markets for rigid packaging
are food and beverages, which together
represented 64 percent of total rigid
packaging demand in 2011. Strong gains
are expected for plastic bottles and
containers due to cost and performance
advantages, as well as further development
of food-grade materials. Beverage
applications for rigid packaging will
benefit from expanded processing
capacity. Rigid packaging demand in
pharmaceutical applications is forecast
to see above average growth, boosted
by fast growing pharmaceutical manufacturing
capabilities, especially in Asia.
Food & beverage market to
benefit Asia/Pacific region
The most rapid gains in demand for rigid
packaging will be seen in the world’s developing
regions. In particular, the Asia/
Pacific region will post the fastest growth
and remain the largest market due to its
large food and beverage industries. In
contrast, market maturity in developed
countries (as well as market saturation
in bedrock applications such as bottled
and canned beers and carbonated soft
drinks) will serve to limit faster gains in
rigid packaging demand. Overall, some
of the best growth rates are expected in
Indonesia, China, and India, with Brazil,
Turkey, Russia, and Mexico also forecast
to see strong gains.
Plastic to remain dominant,
fastest-growing material
In terms of materials, plastic will continue
to account for the largest share of
demand and will also see the fastest
gains, as plastic containers grab market
share at the expense of paperboard,
metal, and glass packaging in many
applications. Gains for plastic containers
will be attributable to their cost
advantages over some alternatives,
shatter resistance, resealability, graphics
capabilities, ease of opening and
dispensing, and improved resin and
processing technologies.
Still, metal cans will remain an important
segment of the rigid packaging mix due
to their durability, long shelf life, tamper
resistance, ease of storage, recyclability,
and the economic advantages of canned
items in controlling food expenditures, as
metal cans are often used to package
low-price food items. Opportunities for
paperboard rigid packaging will reflect a
competitive price structure, suitability for
high quality graphics, and a favorable
environmental profile. On the other hand,
the heavier weight of glass containers
and their risk of breakage will continue to
limit applications -- especially in export
markets -- due to high shipping costs.
Study Scope
This study analyzes the $345 billion world rigid container industry. It presents historical demand data for the years 2001, 2006 and 2011, and forecasts for 2016 and 2021 by container material (plastic, metal, paperboard, glass), market (e.g., food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, durable goods), world region and for 19 major countries.
The study also considers market environment factors, details industry structure, evaluates company market share and profiles 44 industry competitors, including Tetra Pak International, Ball and Rexam.
