U.S. rigid bulk packaging demand to reach $6.5 billion by 2011: report

Demand for rigid bulk packaging is forecast to reach US$6.5 billion by the year 2011, according to a study released by market research firm The Freedonia Group.

Fastest growing product segments are anticipated to be for rigid intermediate bulk containers (RIBCs), plastic drums and pails, the study said, with raw material consumption in rigid bulk packaging expected to exceed 5.3 billion pounds in 2011.

Moderating the growth of RIBCs will be the maturity of a number of product types and the declining share of the manufacturing sector as a component of total U.S. economic activity, as well as competition from flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs), which are significantly less costly than RIBCs.

Chemicals and pharmaceuticals, which accounted for 45 per cent of rigid bulk packaging demand in 2006, will also be among the fastest growing markets, the study concluded.

Details for ordering the study, which is called Rigid Bulk Packaging,” are available from The Freedonia Group’s website.