The German market for plastics packaging and films achieved encouraging results in 2013, as per kunststoffverpackungen.de. Whilst production output rose by around 2.4% to 4.3 million tons, turnover worth 13.6 billion euro (a surplus of 3.5%) reached a new record level. Whilst turnover rather stagnated in the first half of the year, a marked improvement occurred in the second half. And yet, development presented itself in different ways. Due to strong domestic consumer demand, consumer packaging registered consistent stable growth. For industrial packaging, following a calm period during the first three quarters, substantial increase was only achieved towards the end of the year.
The overall positive development must not distract from the fact that the plastics packaging industry had to face fierce competition from European countries outside Germany. This affected the film industry, in particular. In addition, the dramatic rise in energy costs due to the renewable energy (EEG) levy burdened an industry characterised by small and medium-sized businesses.
According to preliminary figures of the German Federal Statistical Office, over the period January to May 2014, the plastics packaging industry generated an increase in turnover of around 4 per cent, compared to the same period of the previous year. For the months ahead, there are many indications that the economy will remain stable. This is also confirmed by the current IK economic trend survey for the third quarter of 2014. In view of rising energy and raw material prices, however, there is again increased pressure on the margins in the industry.
22-Aug-14 
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