European tubes showing stable growth

With total production of 10.5 billion tubes in 2017, the member companies of etma - the European tube manufacturers association -  continued their path of growth and achieved a year-on-year increase in production of 2%.

Overall, the member companies thus account for some 70% of total European tube production.
«This means the figures reported by our members are a fairly reliable reflection of the situation in the European tube market as a whole» explains etma’s secretary general Gregor Spengler.
«The market shares for laminate tubes, with some 37 per cent, and aluminium tubes, with about 36 per cent, are virtually the same. The remaining 27 per cent of European production is attributable to plastic tubes.”

Sectors of use. The broadly diversified cosmetics sector is still the largest market for tubes in Europe, and at the same time is an important growth driver. It accounts for about 45 per cent of all tubes produced. It is followed by market shares of 21 per cent each for tubes for toothpaste and the pharmaceutical sector. However, the food sector with an eight per cent share and the household products segment with a five per cent share represent markets with a promising future, whose opportunities are far from fully developed.

Reflections on the segment. Overall, etma’s president Oliver Höll is looking forward with confidence to developments in 2018: “Solid order intake, a robust economic situation in Europe and numerous new and innovative projects with clients are the key reasons for the tube producers’ positive underlying mood. The development of novel closure and dispenser systems for the tube, a discernible increase in customisation and an abundance of sophisticated decorative techniques provide the market with additional stimuli, boost demand and give the tube industry reasonable grounds for optimism.”

The sector is currently enjoying stable demand and full order books. However, for certain tube diameters this is also leading to relatively long delivery times, and this is presenting a real challenge. The trend towards ever-smaller lot sizes, which has been continuing unabated for many years, is also resulting in expensive and time-consuming changeover efforts of tube manufacturers and thereby making optimal line utilisation more difficult. Furthermore, the tube producers have to face rising costs for aluminium, lacquers, printing inks and transport services, and this is dampening the otherwise good sentiment.
The solution for overcoming the obstacles? Höll is clear on this count:
«Fielding creativity, process optimization and innovative capacity, aiming to enhance the properties of the tube as a form of functional, practical and sustainable packaging. On the other hand, consumers appreciate the excellent protection afforded to the product and the high standards of hygiene, its handiness, the accurate delivery of its contents and the reclosability».