There are signs of recovery in the European market for labelling materials. In the fourth quarter of 2023, demand in Europe rose by around two per cent compared to the same quarter in 2022, the first increase after four quarters of dramatic double-digit declines, according to the industry association Finat.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the pandemic, raw material shortages, supply chain disruptions, cost increases and economic downturn hit the label industry hard. After the first signs of a slowdown in the decline emerged in the summer of 2023, the industry is for a further recovery in 2024 set.
Compared to 2022, European demand for self-adhesive labelling materials in all key end-user segments fell by 25.8 percent last year, while the sharpest decline in a single year, recorded since Finat began compiling statistics in 2003. In the last quarter of 2023, these segments, including food, beverages and health and beauty care, are showing promising signs of recovery.
The decline in demand for labelling materials in Europe was more pronounced and longer than that outside Europe and compared to other sectors in the labelling and packaging industry. One explanation for this was the excessive stockpiling effect triggered by the prolonged strike in the paper industry in the first quarter of 2022 and led to a struggle for raw materials (especially paper-based release liners and label face materials) and lead times of three to five months. When the availability of raw materials finally returned to normal in the third quarter of 2022, the tide turned and label printers' and label users' warehouses were full for the coming quarters. The downturn was exacerbated by the impact of rising raw material costs, which, according to Finat Radar, had a greater impact on the procurement of labels than on other types of packaging.
Challenges for brand owners
A survey of brand owners revealed that they are facing significant challenges due to changing consumer demands. These challenges included a noticeable Shift in consumer preference from branded products to private labels, changes in seasonal demand patterns and an oversupply of materials for certain stock-keeping units triggered by an abrupt drop in demand. These findings emphasise the complex and dynamic nature of the market.
Source: Finat
