Western European Markets for Plastics in Flexible Food Packaging

Published by: Frost & Sullivan

Published: Dec. 30, 2005 - 88 Pages

Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary
        1. Introduction to the Industry
                1. The Flexible Food Packaging Industry
        2. Key Findings
                1. Applications
                2. Materials
                3. Conclusions

2. Introduction and Definitions
        1. Introduction
                1. Introduction to the Research
                2. Definitions
                3. European Legislation
                4. Environmental Issues
        2. Industry Challenges
                1. Industry Challenges

3. Total European Market
        1. Market Analysis
                1. Market Drivers
                a. Extended Shelf Life
                b. Eastern Europe as a New Market
                c. Stand-up Pouches Drive Growth
                d. Changes in Consumer Habits
                e. Plastic Versatility
                f. Substitution of Other Packaging Materials
                2. Market Restraints
                a. Western Europe is a Mature Market
                b. Some Consumers Prefer Fresh and Healthy Food
                c. Savings in Material by Improvement of Processing Methods
                3. Market Forecast
                4. Product Trends
                5. Trends by Type of Food
        2. Competitive Analysis
                1. Plastic Suppliers
                2. Converters
                3. Packaging Manufacturers
        3. Barrier Properties
                1. Oxygen Barrier
                2. Moisture Barrier
                3. Carbon Dioxide Barrier

4. Polyethylene
        1. Polyethylene
                1. Introduction
                2. Market Forecast
                3. Market Share Analysis
                4. Strategic Recommendations

5. Polypropylene
        1. Polypropylene
                1. Introduction
                2. Market Forecast
                3. Market Share Analysis
                4. Strategic Recommendations

6. PET
        1. PET
                1. Introduction
                2. Market Forecast
                3. Market Share Analysis
                4. Strategic Recommendations

7. Nylon
        1. Nylon
                1. Introduction
                2. Market Forecast
                3. Market Share Analysis
                4. Strategic Recommendations

8. EVOH
        1. EVOH
                1. Introduction
                2. Market Forecast
                3. Market Share Analysis
                4. Strategic Recommendations

9. Other Materials
        1. Other Materials
                1. Biodegradable Polymers
                2. Polyurethane Adhesives
                3. PVC
                4. Other Adhesives

10. Competitor Database
        1. Frost & Sullivan Awards
                1. Business Development Strategy Leadership Award
                2. Growth Strategy Leadership Award
                3. Product Innovation Award
        2. Database of Key Industry Participants
                1. Plastic Producers
                2. Packaging Manufacturers and Converters

List of Figures

Chapter 2

• Percentage of Main Food Types Sold in Cans (Western Europe), 2005


• Impact of Top Five Industry Challenges (Western Europe), 2006-2012

Chapter 3

• Market Drivers Ranked in Order of Impact (Western Europe), 2006-2012


• Market Restraints Ranked in Order of Impact (Western Europe), 2006-2012


• Market Forecast (Western Europe), 2002-2012


• Percentage Volumes by Polymer Type (Western Europe), 2005


• Percentage Revenues by Polymer Type (Western Europe), 2005


• Grades Marketed for Packaging Industry (Western Europe), 2005


• Types of Packaged Food (Western Europe), 2005


• Database of Key Industry Participants by Product Type (Western Europe), 2005


• Primary Business of Key Downstream Market Participants (Western Europe), 2005


• Notable Acquisitions, Mergers of Alcan Inc. (Western Europe), 2005

Chapter 4

• Market Forecast for LDPE (Western Europe), 2002-2012


• Market Forecast for LLDPE (Western Europe), 2002-2012


• Production Capacity of the Major Polyethylene Suppliers (Western Europe), 2005

Chapter 5

• Market Forecast for Polypropylene (Western Europe), 2002-2012


• Production Capacity of the Major Polypropylene Suppliers (Western Europe), 2005

Chapter 6

• Market Forecast for PET (Western Europe), 2002-2012


• Market Share of Main Players for PET (Western Europe), 2005

Chapter 7

• Market Forecast for Polyamide (Western Europe), 2002-2012


• Market Share of Main Players for Polyamide (Western Europe), 2005

Chapter 8

• Market Forecast for EVOH (Western Europe), 2002-2012


• Market Share of Main Players for EVOH (Western Europe), 2005

Chapter 10

• Products Offered by DSM for Packaging Industry (Western Europe), 2005


• New PE Grades by Borealis for Packaging Industry, 2005

Abstract

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Western European Markets for Plastics in Flexible Food Packaging provides the market potential of plastics in food packaging and related technologies. This strategic analysis service examines the potential of PE, PP, PET, polyamide as well as EVOH and other biodegradable materials in the European market. The study addresses the requirements of the hour and the policies adopted by manufacturers in terms of collaborations as well as mergers and acquisitions aimed at strengthening and broadening product portfolios. The research service also analyses the product portfolios of plastics manufacturers and suppliers.

Increased Use of Plastics in Flexible Food Packaging to Assist in Extended Shelf Life

The European food packaging industry offers great potential for suppliers of plastics in functional food packaging. Plastics enable extended shelf life, thus assisting food retailers in logistics management and are providing tremendous growth opportunities. Plastics are expected to exhibit an increase in demand in flexible food packaging in Western Europe and currently represent almost 30.0 per cent of the global food packaging market. The wide range of properties of different plastics - namely, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide and ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) - permit the use of flexible food packaging that helps achieve extended shelf life without the use of preservatives. Consequentially, plastics are emerging as a vital tool for packaging manufacturers in reducing packaging weight, eliminating design constraints and promoting new packaging solutions, while also assisting food manufacturers in preserving their products longer.

The enlargement of the European Union has encouraged the foray of western companies into Eastern Europe. "In contrast to the competition prevailing in the mature Western European market, penetrating this market will require less investments by companies, thus allowing them to expand their operations", says the analyst of this research service.

Growing Importance of Pre-processed Foods to Fuel Demand for Plastic Packaging

Changing consumer habits are leading to greater demand for pre-processed foods, which is augmenting the growing need for plastic packaging, with emphasis on multi-layer structures and vacuum packaging. Low-weight stand-up pouches are rapidly replacing alternatives such as cans and glass jars. Currently, less than a billion stand-up pouches are present in the market, but this is expected to increase with the growing use of pouches in pet food, detergents and pre-processed foods packaging.

A large number of polymers used in food packaging are becoming commoditised, thereby affecting the profit margins of plastic producers. Further, increasing prices of raw materials are hindering plastic producers’ profits. "Hence, it will become essential to adopt a more structured approach that involves widening the product portfolio to include value-added products", says the analyst. "To sustain their profit margins, packaging producers will need to focus on increasing system automation to obtain longer production runs and reduce maintenance time."

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