The German container glass industry experienced sales growth of 1.0 per cent in the first half of 2021, with the beverage glass segment growing in particular.
Sales of container glass in tonnes increased by 1.0% in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period of the previous year. Developments in Germany and abroad are different: domestic sales fell by 1.9 per cent, while sales abroad rose by 7.2 per cent.
The beverage bottle segment recorded growth of 3.2 per cent in the first half of 2021. The sub-segments in particular Beer and spirits (9.2 per cent) and Wine and sparkling wine (5.3 per cent) recorded rising sales.
Non-alcoholic beverages, on the other hand, recorded a significant decline of 20.2 per cent (water, milk and juice). Following the growth and increasing proportion of reusable bottles in recent years, a saturation effect is becoming apparent. Before the first lockdown in 2020, many pool bottles were also ordered - especially for catering needs. These were only put into circulation when the catering trade opened, so there is currently less demand.
The segment Packaging glass for food and packaging glass for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics recorded a decline of 3.5 per cent. Other sub-segments in the food sector are also developing negatively: Packaging glass for food without OGS (fruit, vegetables and tinned sour food) decreases by 1.7 per cent. The sub-segment Packaging glass with OGS recorded a decline of 6.3 per cent.
Due to the poor harvest forecast for 2021, there is less demand for jars. This may be one reason for the decline. In addition, the situation is only slowly returning to normal after the hard lockdowns. Consumers are no longer stocking up and are eating out more again.
„The coronavirus pandemic had different effects on the various segments of the container glass industry in 2020, and the first half of 2021 was still affected by this exceptional situation. However, despite ongoing coronavirus restrictions at the beginning of the first half of 2021, the sales trend in the container glass industry was encouragingly positive. It can be seen that segments that were in high demand during the pandemic are now slowly returning to a „pre-corona level”. We are also optimistic about the second half of 2021. On the one hand, due to the easing of coronavirus restrictions, such as the reopening of restaurants and events. And secondly, the trend towards glass packaging among consumers remains unbroken”
Dr Johann Overath, Managing Director of the Federal Association of the Glass Industry e. V.
Source: Glass packaging action forum
