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GPCA PlastiCon 2017
9-10 April 2017, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Dr. Ulrich Reiners
International Trends in Plastic
Packaging and Processing
International Trends in Plastic Packaging and ProcessingCPCA PlastiCon 2017, April 9-10, 2017, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Points to cover
▶ Global volume developments
▶ Key drivers, trends, and applications
▶ Packaging polymers and their status
▶ Fragmented use of polymer types
▶ Supply security
4
Global Plastic Demand by Application Use2015 global plastics demand: 322 million tons
• Global plastics production is growing
steadily year by year
• Plastics for packaging is by far the
largest application
• Followed by building and
constructionSources: ® Executive Packaging,
PlasticsEurope 2015 (PEMRG) / Consultic / ECEBD
▶ Continuous and sustainable growth of plastic products in emerging markets
▶ Main driver is plastic packaging
6Sources: AMI, ® Executive Packaging
Latin America 5.3 %
North America 2.7 %
Europe 2.9 %
GCC 7.9 %
Indian Sub Continent 10.2 %
Asia 4.5 % Greater China 7.8 %
Annual Growth of Plastic Consumption by Region Annual Projected 2015 to 2017
Plastic Packaging MarketsFlexible Packaging by Region
Sources: ® Executive Packaging, AMI, PCI Films Consulting7
▶ Global market size for flexible packaging
$83 billion
▶ Biggest regional consumption is in Asia
▶ Annual growth rate estimated at 4.8%
Top Trends in Plastic Packaging
Sustainability• Highly regarded
• Provides reassurance
Functionality• Easy-opening
• Protection and Preservation
Presentation• Creative packaging
• Fun functions
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Sustainability
▶ In general, plastics have a high eco efficiency but public discussions are ongoing
▶ Consumers feel better if they see evident “eco data”
▶ Weight reduction is a must
▶ Recycling is a key focus across the world
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Sustainability - LCA▶ Life cycle analyses are helpful, but they are very
detailed and do not always garner consumer interest.
▶ In Europe, more than 50% of all goods are packaged in
plastics, but plastics only account for 17% of the
weight. Plastics contributes to resource-savings.
▶ The problem:
How to show to the user/end-consumer
Source: LCA LDPE PlasticsEurope 2016
10
Sustainability – Weight Reduction
▶ Rule of thumb: “Lightweight is better than heavy.”
▶ Reduction of weight for packaging as well as for
construction parts is of high importance for all plastic
converters.
It means high tech in plastic conversion is required.
It is quite demanding for plastic converters!
Example:
▶ Foamed plastics can reduce packaging weight by 15
to 30% depending on the application and the polymer
required.
Photo: Dr. Ulrich Reiners11
Sustainability - Recycling
▶ Recycling is most important for the environment
▶ Recycling has a high economic value and creates business
▶ The global recycled plastic market is steadily growing
▶ Anticipated growth is 4.3 % per year to 5.5 m tons in 2020
▶ Asia Pacific has overtaken North America and Europe
▶ Stable investments in recycling units are expected
▶ Recycled Plastics have an economic value
Recycling creates business for converters
Sources
® Executive Packaging
TECHNAVO, UK 201612
Recycling Business
Functionality is a continuous trend
▶ Convenience: easy-opening
▶ Barriers: protection and preservation
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▶ For many years now, easy-opening plastic
packs have been in the focus of plastic
packaging manufacturers
▶ Limitations are very much the convenience
and the costs
▶ However, easy-opening will remain the focus
of food producers
Functionality: Easy Opening
Re-closable candy pouchHuthamaki/DVI
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▶ Gas barriers are essential for perishable food
▶ Aroma protection is of particular interest: It keeps the aroma inside the package and
leaves undesirable flavors outside
▶ Increasing importance: Protection against residues of Food Contact Materials in Food
▶ Thanks to polyolefins, most of the plastic packaging structures can deliver a moisture
barrier but lacking gas barriers
▶ Barrier packs represent a huge opportunity for GCC converters
However: The majority of packaging plastics have no or only limited barriers
Functionality:
Barriers for Protection Are Key for Foodstuffs!
15Dates Packaging VF Verpackungen
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Coatings of thin layers can:
▶ Strengthen polymer surfaces
▶ Deliver protection against UV light
▶ Improve COF
▶ Build up gas barriers
Can be applied:
▶ In a vacuum chamber
▶ With gravure rollers in a wet solution
Disadvantages:
▶ Critical for food contact
▶ Consumer perception
Nano-particle coating can make plastic
antibacterial, magnetic, etc.Popular Science
Catchword: Nano-Particle Based Coatings
▶ Plastics play a key role due to its variety
▶ Creative packs are an eye-catcher
▶ Individualization of packs
▶ Pack sizes
▶ Digital printing will increasingly support these developments
Presentation: Creativity
Plastic labelsConstantina flexibles
Digital printing of plastic surfaces17
▶ Polypropylene
▶ Polyethylene
▶ PET
▶ Polyamide 6
▶ Polystyrene
▶ PVC/PVDC
Packaging Polymers:
Dilemma and Opportunities
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High variety of different polymers type usage for packaging
To combine the right polymers for the application in an
innovative way results in products with higher margins!
Packaging Polymers: Polyester
▶ Main applications are bottles and biaxial-oriented PET films
▶ Prices and availability are quite stable
▶ Supply shortages in past years
20PET bottles
Packaging Polymers: Polyamide 6
▶ Polyamide 6 is widely used for PA/PE films:
meat, fish, poultry, cheese packaging.
▶ PA/PE films are steadily growing
▶ Opportunities for plastic converters are huge
especially in the GCC area with export
options to Africa
But:
▶ A wide market and application knowledge is
required
Vacum packs PA/PE 21
Packaging Polymers: PVC and Polystyrene
▶ Meanwhile, PVC and PS play a decreasing
role in packaging polymers but are not
disappearing.
▶ Prices are not necessarily following general
trends, but more availability of production
capacities poses risks
Polystyrene Trays & Cups 22
The global situation for plastic conversion is still bright
▶ International financial advisors consider the plastic conversion industry as highly
attractive
▶ “Retail-ready” demand to rise by 40% through 2017. Share in plastics expected to see
a “significant” upturn
▶ Plastic packaging is growing globally by 3-5%
▶ Plastic packaging growth outpaces paper packaging
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Thank You for Listening!
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United Arab Emirates