PCI Issues Report on Flex-Pack in North America

Published: January 23, 2014

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, UK | PCI Films Consulting is offering a new report entitled The North American Flexible Packaging Market to 2018, which says the North American converted flexible packaging market accounts for approximately 30% of global consumption with an annual spend of $20.7 billion in 2013. The report says that approximately 90% of sales in the region are concentrated in the US, with Canada and Mexico accounting for 7% and 5% respectively.

The study reportedly provides a comprehensive assessment of historic trends and the current state of the market and also includes forecasts of how PCI expects the market to develop over the next five years in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

After slowing in 2012 due to the economic downturn, demand for converted flexible packaging recovered to grow by about 4% by value in the US and Canada in 2013. However, the Mexican flexible packaging market slowed markedly during the year to about 1.5% due to uncertainties following the change of government and slowing GDP growth. Weakening margins and other competitive pressures caused significant rationalization and restructuring in the region with many plant closures and divestments, especially amongst the leading players, according to the study. The report notes that industry consolidation continues to be an important factor in driving change in this fragmented industry with private equity firms continuing to play a key role.

Converted flexible packaging growth in North America is forecast to average around 4%/annum to reach more than US$25 billion by 2018, with growth in Mexico expected to recover to grow at US and Canadian levels over the period. Per capita consumption of flexible packaging in Mexico is less than one-fifth of the US figure, illustrating its potential for future growth. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) also continues help drive demand in Mexico, with many US packaged food companies manufacturing in Mexico for the US market to take advantage of lower labor rates.

PCI consultant Paul Gaster says, “While the economic slowdown adversely impacted the flexible packaging industry’s profitability, volume growth has continued to be sustained by servicing primarily defensive markets such as food, pharmaceuticals, and pet food. Also, as packaging technologies have evolved, flexible packaging is becoming a viable alternative to rigid formats in a growing number of applications, with the stand-up pouch enjoying strong volume growth.”

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