“Despite slight losses in production volumes and turnover, German packaging producers have survived the economic crisis relatively well,” says GDA Managing Director Stefan Glimm, who is in charge of the GADV secretariat in 2010. Mr Glimm points out that the slight falls in turnover can be attributed in part to the fact that many of the packaging producers’ customers cut back rigorously on stocks last year. For the whole of 2010, the sector is expecting a slight upward trend similar to that of the business trend in general.

As in previous years, paper, cardboard and paperboard had the largest share of the market in terms of quantity in 2009 was packaging made from; in terms of value, plastic packaging had its nose in front. The slight decline in quantities affected all packaging materials in the same way. Paper, cardboard and paperboard recorded a decline in production of 4.7 per cent in 2009, the smallest fall, followed by metals (minus 4.9 per cent), plastics (minus 5.3 per cent) and glass, which declined 8.8 per cent.

In terms of output value, the development was less consistent. Glass recorded the smallest fall in turnover, down 3.7 per cent, plastics lost 7.4 per cent, metals (aluminium and steel) declined 9.9 per cent and paper, cardboard and paperboard posted the largest fall; 12.8 per cent.
The packaging producers are cautiously optimistic when it comes to expectations for 2010. “The first half of the year brought a slight upwards trend in terms of quantity and we are confident that things will continuously improve during the course of the year,” says Stefan Glimm. The packaging producers are concerned, though, about the drastic increases in the prices of raw materials. Increased costs for raw materials and feedstock could quickly dampen the optimistic expectations because they make production more expensive and place further pressure on margins, thereby jeopardising the innovativeness and competitiveness of the packaging producers.

The packaging producers are expecting a further boost and significant stimuli in demand from the international Interpack packaging trade fair to be held in the spring of 2011. “Our sector will be presenting a multitude of innovative packaging solutions there and will clearly demonstrate the contribution that packaging makes nowadays to the economic, ecological and social sustainability of the economy and society. Alone the primary function of each form of packaging, namely the protection of the packaged items, ensures that people are supplied with the goods they require for their everyday needs, especially foodstuffs, and prevent their deterioration,” says Stefan Glimm.