World Rigid Packaging Demand to Reach $472 Billion in 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.  These and other trends, including market research and product segmentation, are presented in World Rigid Packaging, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.  

The largest markets for rigid packaging are food and beverages, which together represented 64 percent of total rigid packaging demand in 2011.  Healthy gains are expected for plastic bottles and containers as a result of cost and performance advantages, as well as further development of food-grade materials.  Rigid packaging demand in pharmaceutical applications is forecast to see above average growth, boosted by rapidly expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, especially in Asia. 

In terms of materials, plastic will continue to account for the largest share of demand and will also see the fastest increases, as plastic containers gain market share at the expense of metal, paperboard, and glass packaging in many applications.  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.  Opportunities for paperboard rigid packaging will reflect a competitive price structure, suitability for high quality graphics, and a favorable environmental profile. 

The most rapid increases 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 prevent faster gains in rigid packaging demand.  Overall, some of the highest growth rates are expected in India, China, and Indonesia, with Brazil, Turkey, Russia, and Mexico also expected to see healthy gains.  China alone will account for 46 percent of global value gains in rigid packaging demand between 2011 and 2016. 

The Freedonia Group is a leading international business research company, founded in 1985, that publishes more than 100 industry research studies annually. This industry analysis provides an unbiased outlook and a reliable assessment of an industry and includes product segmentation and demand forecasts, industry trends, demand history, threats and opportunities, competitive strategies, market share determinations and company profiles.