The recent Global Packaging Trends Report for 2015, which was sponsored by Australian Packaging & Processing Machinery Association (APPMA), shows three influencers making a mark in every region: growing consumer awareness of health and wellness, stronger influence of recycling and environmental issues, and increasing disposable income and purchasing power.
Other important regional trends include urbanisation, convenience, smaller pack sizes, branding strategies, Internet retailing, and premiumisation.
Globally, flexible plastic remains the dominant pack type with PET Bottles in second place. Pack types such as brick liquid cartons and PET bottles will register the highest growth rates.
"These trends are affecting packaging because they're driving consumers' purchasing choices," says Mark Dingley, Chairman, APPMA.
"Recyclability and reusability of packaging are dominant trends and the report is predicting that this will continue as PET and glass bottle usage increases."
Packaging markets in the Middle East and Africa are anticipating 5.3 per cent CAGR growth in volume, but forecasts for Western Europe and North America land at the other end of the spectrum, with 0.4 per cent and 0.5 per cent, respectively.
The expansion in the Middle East and Africa is the result of increasing exposure to modern lifestyles, and is manifesting in growth opportunities available for packaging of carbonates, biscuits, and yogurt and sour milk products.
In Asia Pacific, forecast for 4.3 per cent CAGR increases in volume, the increasing demand for PET bottles, particularly in the bottled water category, supports health and wellness concerns.
North America, on the other hand, is a mature market, but consumers are developing growing interest in several categories. These include healthy categories such as bottled water, and areas of innovation, such as confectionery.
Globally, the report notes flexible plastic remains the dominant pack type, accounting for 29 per cent of the market, while PET bottles (12 per cent of the market) will be among the fastest growing, with 4.7 per cent CAGR. Bottled water is expected to add 135 billion units through 2019, accounting for 54 per cent of the absolute volume growth in PET bottle use. While beverage packaging drives growth in PET and glass, categories such as confectionery and biscuits prop up flexible packaging use.
To access a copy of the Executive Summary please email the APPMA on appma@appma.com.au