FEATURE ARTICLES
of urbanisation. Then there also are regional trends regarding
consumers are demanding smaller and more convenient
internet retailing, branding strategies, and the need for premium
pack sizes that reflect the “on-the-go” lifestyle, primarily
product packs. Globally, flexible plastic remains the dominant
affecting snack
pack type. However, pack types such as the Tetra brick cartons and PET bottles will register the highest growth rates.
NORTH AMERICA • This is a mature market making design and innovation
As previously mentioned, cigarettes are largest category by volume and the largest category in Western Europe. However,
important • Despite slow growth in this market, several categories are
cigarettes will be surpassed by bottled water and beer in total
gaining consumer interest, including healthy categories like
volume by 2019 as predicted by Euromonitor International.
bottled water, and innovative packaging categories such
Bottled water, yogurt and sour milk products and juice are the
as wine and confectionery
three categories with greater than 5% growth and will add a combined 161 billion packaging units by 2019
LATIN AMERICA • With an urbanizing population and larger incomes, more
Bottled water is the leading category by forecast volume
consumers are able to purchase packaged goods at
growth in three regions, Asia Pacific, Western Europe and
modern retail locations, boosting sales of traditionally
North America.
popular categories
PET and glass bottles will inevitably lead the environmental
EASTERN EUROPE
push, whilst the emerging middle class will drive growth in
• Despite the regional geopolitical situation, packaging
flexible packaging.
continues to see growth in the region, especially in domestic/regional product and packaging manufacturing
It is interesting to note that the Asia Pacific region maintains a
in beer and bottled water
46% volume share of the total market with about 1,300 billion fewer packaging units. Western Europe is the second largest
MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
region with a volume share of 18%. Starting from a smaller
• Consumers are increasingly exposed to modern lifestyles
base, the Middle East and Africa register the largest growth,
throughout Middle East & Africa, which is providing large
due mainly to economic conditions; North America and
growth opportunity for packaging in carbonates, biscuits
Europe will see comparatively smaller packaging growth.
and yogurt and sour milk products
Beverage packaging drives the trends in PET and glass.
I challenge us all to be ready for this round of trends. Be well
However, other categories, such as confectionery and
equipped to face the challenges, and what better way than to
biscuits, support the prevalence of flexible plastics.
ensure that we at least have sound knowledge by gaining from the education program that the AIP offers.
IN SUMMARY BY REGION ASIA PACIFIC • There has been a significant growth in health categories
Prof Pierre Pienaar
placing an increasing demand for PET bottles, especially in
Director PackTech Solutions
the bottled water category
Vice President WPO
• Flexible plastic is dominant, supported by cigarette packaging I acknowledge the statistics from the Global Packaging WESTERN EUROPE
Trends released by Euromonitor International in
• In response to fast paced lifestyles, Western European
December 2015.
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