The European aluminium foil sector was a stable, but largely flat market last year, while the outlook for 2014 is viewed optimistically, with a general recovery in demand expected to gather pace both in Europe and overseas, according to industry association EAFA.
Final output figures for the year were 842,700 tonnes, 0.3% ahead of 2012 (840,600 tonnes). Q4 results showed production down 3.3% to 199,800 tonnes compared with 2012 (206,700 tonnes). Deliveries of the thinner gauges used largely for flexible packaging and household foils remained positive throughout 2013, although the strong growth figures seen in the first half of the year did not carry on into the second.
The decline in demand for thicker gauges, used typically for semi-rigid containers and technical applications, continued into Q4.
After a bright start to the year, exports tailed off, falling by 0.3% as economic uncertainty in some markets delayed investment plans. However thinner gauges increased deliveries by 1.1% compared with 2012, while thicker gauges recorded a downturn of 1.1%.
EAFA vice president and roller group chairman Manfred Mertens comments: "We see clear signs that the activity in 2014 is improving in all areas for both thin and thicker gauges. So we continue to be cautiously optimistic that markets are recovering all the time. It should not be forgotten either that thinner gauge deliveries increased throughout 2013, despite the challenging market conditions."
www.alufoil.org
