Packaging: how much is produced

The reversal of the trend from a plus sign to a negative which affected the global and Italian economies during the second semester of 2011, with negative repercussions on manufacturing, could not avoid influencing the packaging sector.

As is known, in fact, the “world” of packaging is closely tied to manufacturing in general.
According to calculations by Prometeia, the Italian manufacturing industry appears to have ended 2011 with growth limited to approximately 1%, compared to the supposed 1.8% growth at the end of 2010.
An initial assessment of the packaging sector sets the growth of production at 1-1.5%, which corresponds to a production of approximately 15,500 t/000, which is 8% less than that achieved in 2007 (the year before the crisis of 2008-2009).
In terms of turnover, on the other hand, the packaging sector should show more growth due to the increasing cost of raw materials and rising inflation.

Steel packaging - That is to say, tinplate containers and closures and high capacity drums. Exports, which in 2010 accounted for 30% of production, propping up activity until the summer of 2011, since the fall have begun to lose ground, while at the same time maintaining values superior to those of 2010.
Domestic demand, on the other hand, has tended toward stagnation.
Comprehensively, production in 2011 should have undergone a slight increase (approximately +1%); in particular, tinplate containers and closures show slight growth while drums have lost ground.

Aluminium packaging - Equaling that of steel, this packaging type is widespread in the food industry (the least affected by the crisis); notwithstanding their use overall, the food and beverage sector absorbs 75%. An initial estimate sees that sector having ended 2011 with slight growth in production, approximately 1%, driven essentially by the positive growth of exports.

Cellulosic packaging - During the first semester of 2011, this packaging type showed favorable development in all areas of use. During the third trimester, from what has emerged from the periodical economic survey conducted by Assografici, a certain degree of slowdown began to affect the growth dynamic in production.
The 2011 trade balance shows a trend of overall growth: +6% for exports, +5% for imports.
Domestic demand should have ended 2011 with the same values as 2010, while production should have ended 2011 with approximately 1% growth.

Polylaminate cellulosic packaging - According to early estimates, this production area should have ended 2011 with about 2% growth. In addition to an increase, however modest, in food consumption, the result also derives from the increased participation in the market of polylaminate cellulosic packaging.

Flexible packaging for converting - According to a survey by Giflex, in 2011 the sector reconfirmed a positive growth trend in production, driven both by exports and by domestic demand.
Considering the data of the periodical economic survey conducted by Assografici, the first nine months saw 9% growth in production; it is not out of the question that the last part of the year saw a slight slowdown. It is in any case believed that 2011 ended with decidedly positive levels: +5%.

Plastic packaging - After registering a recovery in production of 5% in 2010, according to early interim results 2011 should have seen further growth of 3%, which can be traced to the positive growth of exports (about +20%) and approximately 10% shrinkage of imports. According to initial estimates, domestic demand gave way slightly; the drop is attributed to two factors:
- progressive net reduction in the use of traditional plastic shopping bags, which are being replaced by other types (cellulose, canvass and recycled plastic, which weigh less than virgin plastic ones, which by now are against regulatory standards);
- the process of ongoing average weight reduction of various types of plastic packaging.

Glass packaging - After a first semester marked by decidedly positive growth in production, both due to domestic demand and to exports, glass packaging registered a slowdown during the second semester.
Nonetheless, it is believed to have ended the year with about 2% growth in production.

Wood packaging - It is estimated that their consumption has increased by about 2% in 2011. Exports have undergone net growth, in particular pallets; considered overall, exports should have increased this year by about 17% and imports by approximately 5%. Consequently, production should have seen an increase of about 3%.                    

Roccandrea Iascone
Iascone Packaging Marketing