Global market for plastic containers to hit 46 million tonnes by 2021: report

The global market for plastic containers is expected to rise to 46.2 million tonnes in 2021, according to a new study from German research company Ceresana.  

“Due to the flexibility of use in the most diverse applications, the market for plastic containers is highly complex and subject to a range of different influences,” the study said. “Factors that have to be taken into account are, for example, low per capita consumption on certain beverages markets in parts of Asia-Pacific or the dynamic urbanization and income development in that region…Moreover, governmental regulations may influence the market for certain types of beverages.”

The study notes that, within the market for packaging containers, some segments report a shift from traditional materials towards plastics. “At the same time, plastic containers also face an increasing competition by flexible plastic packaging solutions,” it continued. “Other trends such as convenience, increasing women’s employment, sustainability or lightweighting also have impacts on the market for plastic containers.”

While the market for lemonades is relatively saturated in many industrialized nations, the report said, growth potential in Asia-Pacific is still very high. “Consumption of bottled water is influenced by a variety of trends as well,” it said. “In many countries, there are organizations and initiatives that campaign for a reduction of consumption of packaged water for environmental reasons, regarding tap water as a cheaper and more environmentally sustainable alternative.”

On the other hand, it continued, an increasing number of consumers are discovering packaged water as an attractive and healthy alternative to sweetened soft drinks. “Additionally, the quality of tap water does not fulfil required sanitary standards in many world regions, it has to be boiled before consumption in order to ensure sterility. This time and energy-consuming process can be avoided by using bottled water.”

Ceresana’s report also notes the changes that are occurring within the market of rigid plastic containers. “PET containers have been gaining in popularity, especially in the business segments of carbonated soft drinks and bottled water,” it said. “They weigh comparatively little, can be recycled, do not break, and offer high clarity. At the same time, the gas barrier properties and protection against UV radiation they offer continue to improve. Besides PET containers, containers made from PP are also becoming more important and can benefit from the dynamic development of demand for packaged foodstuffs in particular.”