Due to the tough situation in Europe, the member companies of etma reported almost the same total production in the first six months of the current year as was reported for the first half of 2014, although etma Secretary General Gregor Spengler says this demand can be seen as positive overall.
“Production remained at the previous year’s level despite the ongoing financial crisis in Greece, some economies in the eurozone continuing to flag and the uncertain situation in Russia and the Ukraine with its associated economic sanctions,” he says.
“Overall, this result is therefore satisfactory and it fills me with confidence regarding the future development of the European tube market. I also interpret the expectations of most member companies as being cautiously optimistic.”
Marginal changes
There is good news in the toothpaste sector as it was somewhat stronger than during the corresponding last year’s period. However, all other important tube markets, such as cosmetics, reported only marginal changes.
The highlight was laminate tubes which showed a positive development compared with the first half of 2014, although demand for plastic tubes declined slightly. Production figures for aluminium tubes remained almost unchanged year-on-year.
Despite not being the strong growth that everyone hopes for, etma says that overall the sector is still satisfied with the stable demand; however, the prices for individual raw materials and other materials are definitely giving cause for concern as they have been increasing a lot, particularly for the plastics used (PE and PP).
‘Well positioned’
Dr Monika Kopra-Schäfer , etma president also adds that the trend towards ever smaller lot sizes and shorter ordering and delivery times is also continuing, placing more pressure on companies, but that the industry is well positioned.
“At the same time, clients are placing ever greater demands on the design, decoration and finish of the tubes. Nevertheless, as we have shown impressively in previous years, which were not easy years either, the European tube industry is well positioned here,” she says.
“Our etma member companies in particular were able to further develop their good position by means of more efficient production, investments in innovative technologies and continual optimisation of process chains.”