IK report shows careful optimism in plastic packaging industry

The IK's Economic Trend for the first quarter of 2012 shows that the plastic packaging companies have more positive expectations than the last quarter of 2011, with almost all responding companies judging the current economic situation to be good, or at least satisfactory.

The turnover prognosis regarding their own companies, however, is rather more cautious, the report reveals. While 66% of people asked expect a continuous turnover development in the first quarter of 2012, around 20% assume that turnovers will decrease. In the field of exports, a third of IK members expect further downturns. In this respect, companies rely on a solid domestic economic activity.

According to IK managing director Ulf Kelterborn, the survey results from the IK's Economic Trend demonstrate that the cost spiral will continue to increase also in 2012. Nearly 40% of IK members expect higher raw material prices in 2012. It means the industry has to expect reduced profit margins and should react to this situation as quickly as possible.

The IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e V is the largest association in the plastics sector in Europe, with over 300 member companies.