The overall European market for food packaging (excluding beverage) is projected to reach a volume of more than 38 million tons by 2022, according to a recent Ceresana report.

"The application of food packaging is determined by complex trends," explained Oliver Kutsch, CEO of the market research institute Ceresana. "There is a continuous development of new and innovative types of packaging and technologies. Legislation and consumer behavior are changing. At the same time, manufacturers are working hard on offering evermore cost-effective packaging solutions."

Especially the sales volume of environmentally sustainable packaging is growing strongly. Ceresana is forecasting a growth rate of more than 15% per annum (p.a.) for disposable bags and other packaging solutions made of bioplastics. This trend will have a positive effect on products made of recycled plastics, and, to a more modest degree, also on paper packaging.

However, sustainability alone is not enough. Glass packaging has a good reputation in this respect, but its demand is falling after all. Many consumers perceive glass containers to be too heavy, the risk of glass breakage too high.

Above all manufacturers of packaging solutions for chilled and frozen food as well as ready-made meals are benefiting from the trend towards convenience. The sales volume of canned food, however, is dropping.

There are great differences depending on material and type of packaging. Over the next years, for example, demand for metal packaging in the Ready-Made Meals segment is expected to rise by only 0.5% p.a. while that of paper and cardboard packaging will increase by 3.1%.

The growing demand for shelf-ready packaging will be noticed in the application Paper. The rising popularity of trading food online will lead to an increased demand for cardboard and corrugated board shipping packaging on the long term.

In Plastics, the European demand for rigid containers will record a comparatively strong growth rate of about 2% p.a. This type of packaging profits from the rapidly rising demand for food on the go. In Germany, however, plastic bag packaging is recording the highest growth rates of 2.6% p.a. Stand-up pouches in particular are currently very popular.

In the Packaging Films segment, above all the sales of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film are going up. Innovative products such as intelligent packaging systems monitor the content. Some of them can even actively absorb or release substances in order to extend the shelf life of food. They are the future of packaging solutions.

The overall European market for food packaging (excluding beverage) is projected to reach a volume of more than 38 million tons by 2022, according to a recent Ceresana report.

"The application of food packaging is determined by complex trends," explained Oliver Kutsch, CEO of the market research institute Ceresana. "There is a continuous development of new and innovative types of packaging and technologies. Legislation and consumer behavior are changing. At the same time, manufacturers are working hard on offering evermore cost-effective packaging solutions."

Especially the sales volume of environmentally sustainable packaging is growing strongly. Ceresana is forecasting a growth rate of more than 15% per annum (p.a.) for disposable bags and other packaging solutions made of bioplastics. This trend will have a positive effect on products made of recycled plastics, and, to a more modest degree, also on paper packaging.

However, sustainability alone is not enough. Glass packaging has a good reputation in this respect, but its demand is falling after all. Many consumers perceive glass containers to be too heavy, the risk of glass breakage too high.

Above all manufacturers of packaging solutions for chilled and frozen food as well as ready-made meals are benefiting from the trend towards convenience. The sales volume of canned food, however, is dropping.

There are great differences depending on material and type of packaging. Over the next years, for example, demand for metal packaging in the Ready-Made Meals segment is expected to rise by only 0.5% p.a. while that of paper and cardboard packaging will increase by 3.1%.

The growing demand for shelf-ready packaging will be noticed in the application Paper. The rising popularity of trading food online will lead to an increased demand for cardboard and corrugated board shipping packaging on the long term.

In Plastics, the European demand for rigid containers will record a comparatively strong growth rate of about 2% p.a. This type of packaging profits from the rapidly rising demand for food on the go. In Germany, however, plastic bag packaging is recording the highest growth rates of 2.6% p.a. Stand-up pouches in particular are currently very popular.

In the Packaging Films segment, above all the sales of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film are going up. Innovative products such as intelligent packaging systems monitor the content. Some of them can even actively absorb or release substances in order to extend the shelf life of food. They are the future of packaging solutions.