They say that knowledge is power and, as we head into a new year facing fresh challenges and opportunities, it will be helpful for converters to gather as much information as possible on the future prospects for the markets they currently supply - as well as those they are looking to break into.
A number of interesting market and industry reports that have been published recently could well be of use in helping companies make informed decisions on how best to take their businesses forward in the coming months. Several of these reports, by Smithers Pira, are considered in one of this month's features; some of the others are summarised here.
For example, GEPPIA, the French Packaging & Processing Machinery Trade Association, has released Packaging Trends: The future of manufacturing, an in-depth study by 20 experts and key international players such as Carrefour, Coca Cola, Nestlé, L'Oréal and Pernod-Ricard. It gives a comprehensive review of today's main trends in the packaging/processing sector, and is downloadable in English at www.packaging-trends.com.
On another tack, PCI Films takes a close look at how the changes affecting European oriented film markets will impact future supply. This report - European Oriented Films Supply Outlook - offers a detailed view of the sector, especially for anyone wanting to understand key growth markets and new investment opportunities, as well as buyers looking to secure long term supplies of oriented films. For more information on this report, visit www.pcifilms.com.
The bioplastics market is an area of growing interest (no pun intended) for many applications, of which packaging will remain the leader. The latest market forecast from European Bioplastics, the industry association, predicts growth from around 1.4 million tonnes (annual production capacity) in 2012 to approximately 6.2 million tonnes in 2017. According to the forecast, the strongest gain is expected in the bio-based, non-biodegradable bioplastics group. Readers interested in knowing more should go to www.european-bioplastics.org.
Another study by RISI explores how sack kraft and wrapping paper capacity expansions in emerging countries will impact international trade dynamics. The World Sack Kraft and Wrapping Paper Study is the first data available for global sack and wrapping grades. It finds that despite declining demand in many developed countries, global demand for sack kraft and wrapping paper is expected to increase by 504,000 tonnes in 2014 . More on this at www.risi.com.
