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Glass packaging production has remained steady in Europe, with consumers increasingly holding positive opinions on its sustainability credentials.
Figures from the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) showed Glass packaging production growing 1% in volume (tonnes) and by 1% in unit terms in the first half year 2018.
Growth is in line with the Full Year 2017 data, which recorded a growth of 2% in weight terms and 2.4% in units and compares favourably with the historical trend since 2012. Between 2012-2017, production has increased by almost 1.7 million tonnes (up 8.3%) or 6.4 billion units (8.9% up).
Generally, all food and beverage market segments experienced a demand growth for glass, and the outlook is 'very positive' also for the flaconnage sector for perfumery, cosmetics and pharmacy.
We are encouraged by this positive trend which confirms our belief that brands and consumers are switching to glass for environmental reasons”, comments Adeline Farrelly – FEVE Secretary General.
FEVE said the positive market dynamic for glass reflects an increasing consumer engagement with environmental causes.
Adeline Farrelly, FEVE secretary general, said consumers – and particularly millennials – are increasingly aware of the impact their daily lifestyle can have on the environment, and pointed to research from Friends of Glass which showed that 73% of Europeans rate glass as the most ocean-friendly packaging, 78% rank it amongst top packaging choices when buying their food and beverage products, and 1 in 2 consumers say they use more glass than three years ago.
''This increased trust in glass from consumers is heartening for our industry,'' said Farrelly. ''We are constantly making efforts to optimize the unique recycling properties of glass into a business model that is an authentic example of a Circular Economy. We work hard to improve our production technologies and product characteristics, to reduce energy use and minimize any environmental impact by using recycled glass.''
