PET packaging market to grow to almost 19.1 million tonnes by 2017 driven by barrier PET bottles, jars, Pira International forecasts; Asia Pacific the largest regional market, accounting for a projected 29.4% of world PET packaging consumption in 2012

Graziela Medina Shepnick

LEATHERHEAD, England , March 29, 2012 (press release) – The global consumption of PET packaging will grow to almost 19.1 million tonnes by 2017 predicts Pira International in a new market study. Driven mainly by increasing demand in emerging and transitional economies, the market will grow 5.2% per annum with a focus on Asia Pacific, South & Central America, Central & Eastern Europe and the Middle East and Africa. Barrier PET bottles and jars for juices, milk, teas, beer, wine and food, are forecast to register strong growth over the period 2012-17.

The Future of Global PET Packaging to 2017 provides a detailed analysis of PET packaging markets and technology trends for the period 2012-17 with particular emphasis on the impact of the global economic downturn of 2008-09 on the PET packaging market. It also presents volume and value data forecasts for PET packaging for the period 2012-17 by end-use sector, and geographic markets. The study is based on an in-depth combination of primary and secondary data gathered during Pira's extensive research program for the global packaging industry.

The developing countries of Asia Pacific, South America and Central & Eastern Europe will show higher growth for PET packaging as a result of growing real incomes and the replacement of traditional pack formats by PET bottles. Asia Pacific overtook both North America and Western Europe during the period 2007-12 to become the largest regional market for PET packaging. Asia Pacific accounts for a projected 29.4% of world PET packaging consumption in 2012, followed by North America with 24.1% and Western Europe with 19.7%.

PET packaging market tonnage by world region, 2007, 2012 and 2017 forecast (percentage share)

PET recycling is another key issue for players along the PET supply chain due to growing consumer concern for the impact of PET bottles on the environment. Recycling PET conserves fossil fuel, reduces energy usage and so reduces greenhouse emissions.

Legislation and resource protection programmes are major drivers for the development and recycling of PET. Growth in the recycled PET (rPET) market is also being driven by big global brand owners who are signing up for recycled PET in order to make a real difference to their brands, both environmentally and economically.

While the use of rPET is on the rise, there is still some uncertainty whether the uptake of rPET for bottle production will become widespread. The uptake of rPET for bottle content will depend very much on whether rPET costs less than virgin material. In addition, while there is strong demand for recycled PET, there remains a problem with raw material supply and an infrastructure that is not expanding quickly enough to collect the material the industry needs. There are also some concerns that the quality of supply can have had a negative impact on the rPET sector.

Key technology developments to 2017 also include further advances in barrier systems, continued light-weighting and growing emphasis on sustainability and recycling. Compression technology for PET perform production is another emerging development.

The Future of Global PET Packaging to 2017 is available now for £3750 / €4300/ $6000. A pre-publication discount of 10% is available through Friday, 30 March. For more information, please contact Bill Allen at +44 (0) 1372 802086, or via e-mail at bill.allen@pira-international.com, or visit www.pira-international.com

Press contact: For editorial queries, details of the study or an expanded article please contact: Chandra Guyot at +1 207 781 9602, or via email at chandra.guyot@pira-international.com

Pira International

Pira International – the worldwide authority on packaging, paper and print industry supply chains. Established in 1930, Pira provides strategic and technical consulting, testing, intelligence and events to help clients gain market insights, identify opportunities, evaluate product performance and manage compliance.

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