The packaging sector – Data 2016 (2)
The close of 2016 saw a 3.2% rise in production of packaging (in t), building on the +2.3% logged the previous year. The trend is driven by the domestic market, exports having stalled
The performance of the various packaging types varied considerably during 2016 (and was weak in some). In particular, aluminium saw a -17% drop, while rigid polylaminate containers remained stable. Other materials saw a positive trend, including plastic with +4.9%, wood with +4.7%, glass with +3.3% and flexible packaging for converting with +2.2%. Steel packaging saw 1.7% growth.
However, it is important to note that these rates refer to packaging in t; it goes without saying that flexible packaging for converting’s +2%, being far more lightweight, has a very different “weight” compared to the growth rates of heavier packaging types. According to preliminary data, the packaging secto¬r’s turnover grew by some 1.9%. In 2016, unlike in 2015, turnover growth was lower than that of packaging output by weight. The positive trend in packaging production is partly attributable to the rise of online shopping, which entails a higher demand for packaging that guarantees safer delivery of goods. According to a study by Casaleggio Associati, online sales grew by 10% in 2016, reaching a total turnover of 31.7 billions euro.
Barbara Iascone
Istituto Italiano Imballaggio
