Demand for plastic packaging rose in the UK last year, helped by the food and beverage industry, according to a new survey.
Figures from industry body Plastics Europe, of which the British Plastics Federation (BPF) is a member, showed that demand for plastic packaging rose 1.2%, from 1,642kt in 2011 to 1,662kt in 2012. However, 2012 levels have not reached 2008 levels (1,720kt).
The data also showed that demand for plastics in the UK rose 1.2% in 2012 to 3.75m tonnes.
Packaging accounted for the largest proportion at 44.3%, followed by building and construction (19.2%).
PlasticsEurope presented its recent data at a press luncheon yesterday (14 May 2013) in London.
“A quiet revolution”
Speaking to Packaging News at the event, BPF director general Peter Davis said that demand for food and drink was strong. Davis explained: “A quiet revolution is happening and it is noticeable in supermarkets. We now have many examples of how plastic has replaced glass and there has been a shift to plastics with some products.”
Elsewhere, China leads the way on worldwide demand (24%).
In Europe total plastics demand fell 3.2% to around 45.5 million tonnes, due to the economic crisis.
On the supply side, the UK produced around 1.64 million tonnes of primary plastics in 2012, down 6.3% on 2011.
In the area of plastics recovery the UK ranks 23rd in the EU 27+2 on 27.3%, versus a European average of more than 59%, according to PlasticsEurope.
In recycling the UK is placed 22nd, with a rate for plastics post-consumer waste of 19.9%, against a European average of 25.1%.
The data shows that the industry is recovering slowly from the 2008 recession. However, PlasticsEurope said that over the last three years there has been some positive development which has led to a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 8.7% on a worldwide scale.
“Despite global slow recovery, the plastics industry is optimistic that Europe remains a core centre of activities, which is why it invests heavily in R&D to guarantee innovation and economic growth in the European Union,” said Plastics Europe, regional director north, Kim Christiansen.
