| By EMBALLAGE - Pack The World |
| Monday, 17 November 2008 |
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The packaging industry occupies a key place in the French economic and industrial landscape. Packaging manufacturers employ a total workforce of 97,163 in approximately 3,000 companies, of which 900 employ more than 20 people. In 2007 they generated a turnover of €21 billion according the latest figures issued by SESSI (Department of industrial studies and statistics of the Ministry of Economy and Industry). With the addition of the €1.7 billion sales achieved by packaging equipment manufacturers, the estimated turnover totals €22.7 billion. According to the French |
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customs data, French exports of packaging and packing machines confirm the industry dynamics with exports worth €502.6 million in 2007 (€456 million in 2006).
Imports reached €638.7 million (compared to €619.6 million in 2006) of which €180 million achieved by the 24 SECIMEP* member companies. The sector's trade balance remains negative, although with a slight decline (-€136.1 million in 2007 against - €160.6 million in 2006).
The latest results of the Observatoire de l'Emballage** show that, in spite of material prices and transport costs, industry professionals remain optimistic. Conducted in late August by the World Packaging Exhibition Emballage and partner associations, the survey findings confirm the industry's environmental concerns and the resulting new industrial prospects.
A few weeks ahead of the event that will attract more than 100,000 visitors and 2,200 exhibitors, Emballage 2008 provides you with a sneak preview of the industry's economic data and unveils the |
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findings of the Observatoire de l'Emballage 2008.
Investment forecasts remain stable, despite a complex economic period, packaging manufacturers predict that their investments will remain stable (56.50%) for the period 2009 – 11. Equipment manufacturers seem more confident, since 46.5% of them plan to increase their investment.
Export growth prospects are still on the rise although more moderate than in 2007: 1 buyer in 2 foresees that exports will increase. Packaging manufacturers are far more optimistic about the progress of their exports than equipment manufacturers whose exports prospects drop from 52% to 23.5%.
For 74.5% of French buyers, France remains the leading packaging supplier country. For packaging and equipment suppliers, Germany and Italy remain France's major rivals. China climbing in the ranks.
As in 2007, the survey results show that paper-cardboard ranks in the breakdown of package purchase materials before plastics (43% against 35% for plastics). These figures are in line with the turnover figures by materials released over the same period of CLIFE (Liaison committee of the French packaging industries).
In the medium term (2009-2011), plastics however get the strongest prospects: 57% of responding buyers think they will purchase more plastics. Attention should however be paid to the importance of biomaterials (a newcomer in the Observatoire survey): 57.5% of responding buyers intend to buy packages designed with biomaterials in the medium term.
This trend is also illustrated by the the fact that for 60% of buyers and |
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57% of packaging manufacturers sustainable development and eco-design remain key factors of innovation.
To address these major issues Emballage proposes for the first time an area dedicated to Biomaterials and a Sustainable Development area, where exhibitors will offer a comprehensive review of this booming industry.
Responding buyers mainly come from the food industry (40%) and the health -beauty industry (22%). These sectors followed by the automotive and aeronautical industries are also the major customers of packaging and equipment manufacturers.
While in 2007 the food industry ranked third in the buyer's production prospects in the medium term (2009-2011), it ranks first in 2008 (52%), shortly before health-pharmaceutical industry (51%). However, health-pharmaceutical industry takes the lead ahead of the food industry for the production of packaging and the sale growth prospects of equipment manufacturers.
From November 17-21st , Paris invites you to meet French and International professional at the end of the year industrial event: the World Packaging Exhibition – EMBALLAGE 2008.
For more information regarding the World Packaging Exhibition please visit: www.emballageweb.com
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