Improved living standards, impulse purchases of ready-to-eat foods driving global demand for metal packaging, says new report; aluminum, aerosol cans see steady growth

Lorena Madrigal

SAN JOSE, California , January 10, 2012 (press release) – GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global outlook on the Metal Packaging Industry. Improvement in living standards coupled with impulse purchases of packaged and convenience foods represent key growth drivers in the metal packaging industry. Increasing number of consumers purchasing ready-to-eat food products in a bid to save money and time has and will continue to play an instrumental role in fueling demand for metal packaging materials.

The concept of packaging has gained almost universal acceptance today owing to its usage in almost all types of commodities. Worldwide consumer goods packaging market has been witnessing a sturdy growth over the past few years, thereby translating into healthy demand for various packaging products including metal cans and containers. Growing demand for metal packaging is driving several countries into investing in metal industries. Environmental concerns have triggered innovations, while consumer preferences are also creating novel opportunities. Characterized by a complex network of suppliers, retailers, and manufacturers, the metal packaging industry addresses the requirements of important end-users, including the food, personal care, beverage, and healthcare industries.

Growing demand from the food and beverage markets has been instrumental in fueling the overall growth in the packaging industry. The growth potential of the beverage market bodes well for the profitability of the metal packaging industry. Advancements in packaging technology, which aids in offering metal cans with improved functional and storage features, have also been a major factor triggering growth in the soft drinks end-use sector. With its high functionality, excellent environmental and economical factors, metal packaging has carved out a role for itself in cosmetics and toiletries products market. Versatile features of metal packaging add value and fashion to the products. In the high-end cosmetics and toiletries market, metal packaging plays a vital role with aluminum containers, closures and screw caps increasingly being used in the sector. The non-corrosive and excellent performance aluminum packaging makes it an ideal choice in the beauty products segment.

Aluminum finds a prominent place in packaging because the metal is easy to sterilize and is an excellent barrier of liquids, gases, and light. The aluminum can industry is the largest consumer of aluminum can sheet in the world as well as in the US. Production-based benefits are considered to be the primary reason for the metal’s attractiveness in the packaging industry. Another reason attributed to aluminum’s high popularity is that the metal’s coloring strength is superior to other materials thereby providing branded product sellers with better scope in terms of color selection. Aluminum finds extensive use in the beauty sector due to its easy workability as well as the anodization procedure, which significantly improves the color and appearance.

Demand for aluminum aerosol cans has been steadily rising, reaching a new level, driven largely by technological improvements in product performance, and features, and innovations in aesthetic appearance in terms of colors, shapes, and prints. Expansion in end-use application, especially in the field of cosmetics, consumer household appliances, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverages, among others, ensure better market prospects. Product customization as per end-user requirements is expected to additionally prop up demand patterns. Waxing popularity of aluminum as a key material of choice for manufacturing aerosol containers is mirrored by the fact that close to 40% of the global aerosol cans produced are aluminum cans.

A major threat for metal packaging materials is the stringent environmental regulations. One of the major barriers for metal packaging is high capital intensity of the industry. In recent times, metal cans have been facing threat from HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) and PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottles. Metal cans possess various drawbacks when compared to paper or plastic wares such as inability to be used in a microwave, and cost inefficiency.

The research report titled “Metal Packaging: A Global Outlook” announced by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides market briefs, and concise summaries of regional trends. The report offers a bird’s eye view of the world metal packaging industry, and identifies major trends and growth drivers. Regional markets elaborated upon include United States, Europe (including France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (including Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (including Brazil and Rest of Latin America), and Rest of World. Also included is an indexed, easy-to-refer, fact-finder directory listing the addresses, and contact details of companies worldwide.

For more details about this comprehensive industry report, please visit – http://www.strategyr.com/Metal_Packaging_Industry_Market_Report.asp

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) is a leading publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company currently employs over 800 people worldwide. Annually, GIA publishes more than 1300 full-scale research reports and analyzes 40,000+ market and technology trends while monitoring more than 126,000 Companies worldwide. Serving over 9500 clients in 27 countries, GIA is recognized today, as one of the world's largest and reputed market research firms.

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