US demand for plastic film will reach 16 billion pounds in 2012. Gains will reflect film’s cost, performance and source reduction advantages over rigid packaging, as well as opportunities in products such as pouches and modified atmosphere packaging. LDPE will remain the top film, while the lower volume degradable plastic segment leads gains.

US demand for pallets will reach 1.5 billion units in 2012. Pallets made from wood will remain dominant, while plastic pallets will grow the fastest based on their durability, ease of cleaning and recyclability. Manufacturing will continue as the largest market, but will be outpaced by providers of warehousing and other storage services.

Demand for pouches in the US will climb 6.1 percent per year to $7.9 billion in 2012. Stand-up pouches will exhibit robust growth, while flat pouches will post healthy gains in a number of markets. The largest market, food and beverages, will continue to experience healthy growth.

US demand for caps and closures will rise 4.9 percent annually through 2012. Gains will be bolstered by the popularity of value-added designs such as child-resistant and dispensing closures. Gains will be supported by the continuing growth of closure-intensive plastic packaging at the expense of closureless containers like metal cans.

US demand for pharmaceutical packaging will grow 5.5 percent annually through 2012. Strong growth is forecast for value-added types, especially parenteral vials and flip-top closures, plastic dispensing bottles and closures, prefillable inhalers and syringes, parenteral stoppers, track and trace and authentication labels, and unit dose pouches.

US protective packaging demand will grow 4.6 percent annually through 2012, driven by manufacturing growth and the proliferation of Internet commerce. Fastest advances are anticipated for air pillows and insulated shipping containers, with protective mailers and bubble packaging also logging above-average growth.

US cosmetic and toiletry container demand will reach 25.5 billion units in 2012 based on accelerating cosmetic and toiletry shipments. Plastic will be the fastest growing material while shaped aerosol cans and upscale paper cartons enjoy niche prospects. Skin care and liquid soap will be the fastest growing markets.

Chinese packaging equipment demand will rise eight percent annually through 2011, fueled by strong manufacturing output and rising domestic income leveles. Filling and form/fill/seal equipment will remain the largest category while labeling and coding machinery leads gains. Packaged food and beverages will stay the top markets.

US demand for frozen food packaging will grow 4.1 percent annually through 2011. Gains will be driven by heightened demand for convenience-type foods, along with the prevalence of microwave ovens. Meat, poultry and seafood and frozen specialties applications will remain dominant and post above-average growth.

US demand for boxes will reach $39.9 billion in 2012. Gains will be driven by the increased production of goods, a shift toward higher-value boxes and the continued popularity of Internet shopping. Corrugated and solid-fiber boxes will remain dominant and offer the best growth opportunities.