Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Global Glass Packaging Market Report - Forecasts to 2019" report to their offering.
Glass packaging has various advantages such as chemical stability, sterility and reusability. Sand, soda ash and limestone are the key ingredients used in the manufacture of glass. Additives are added during the manufacture of glass to impart advanced properties in the glass such as color, thickness and increased durability. Increasing consumption of beer, on a global scale, is one of the primary factors which are expected to drive the demand for glass packaging over the next few years. In addition, growing consumer preference towards glass due to its sterility in healthcare is expected to be another factor contributing to the growth of the glass packaging market. However, increasing popularity of plastics due to its light weight and reduced space consumption is expected to hamper the growth of the glass packaging market. Growing consumer preference towards glass in packaging of food, pharmaceuticals and beverages is expected to open new opportunities for the growth of the market over the next few years.
Alcoholic beverages including beer dominated the glass packaging demand in 2012 and are expected to maintain strong market position over the next five years. Innovatively designed glass bottles are often used in the packaging of alcoholic beverages. Consumption of alcoholic beverages, particularly wine, is increasing. Beer is expected to show the fastest growth in terms of glass bottle consumption on account of overall increased beer consumption. Glass bottles accounted for over 60% of the beer packaging market in 2011. Growing preference towards beer bottled in glass due to its sterility and improved shelf life are expected to contribute to the growth of the market. Another key factor affecting the demand for glass bottles in beer has been consumer preference towards glass and slow adoption of beer packaged in other materials such as metal cans. This trend is expected to continue over the next few years.
Demand for glass packaging was highest in the Asia Pacific and accounted for over 35% of the global demand in 2012. Europe was the second-largest market for glass packaging in 2012. The Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth over the next few years on account of the rise in disposable income of consumers coupled with the influence of western values, which has led to a growing consumption of beer. China has been the fastest growing beer market followed by India, and the trend is expected to continue into the forecast period on account of increased beer consumption by younger generations.
