The European tube industry got through the past year well despite the coronavirus pandemic. According to the European Tube Manufacturers Association (Etma), total production in 2020 was almost on a par with the previous year.
According to Etma, a total of 11.5 billion tubes made of aluminium, plastic and laminate. This was partly due to "very lively demand" in the first quarter of the year. The industry is therefore only 0.4 per cent below the 2019 annual level.
"In view of the extremely difficult economic environment and the complicated pandemic situation, our results for 2020 are really impressive. It impressively underlines the very high level of acceptance of the tube packaging material among consumers and our customers alike. Particularly in times of a pandemic, they were able to place their full trust in the tube's convincing standards and properties in terms of hygiene and cleanliness, product protection, shelf life and safety." Dr Fabio Gussoni, President Etma
Despite all the adversities, Dr Gussoni continues to emphasise that the industry's supply chains have held up in the crisis situation. Production processes remained largely uninterrupted, meaning that deliveries to the markets could be made on time as usual. Not least this Reliability of the industry contributed significantly to the success of the European tube industry in 2020, according to Dr Gussoni.
Laminate tubes increased
The shares of the individual tube types in total production remained virtually unchanged. Slight gains were made by Laminate tubeswhich, with a market share of 38 per cent, now top the list of materials used for tubes in Europe. Aluminium tubes continue to account for 35 per cent of all tubes. With a market share of 27 per cent Plastic tubes somewhat weaker.
Etma records pandemic-related changes in sales markets
There were shifts in the most important sales markets for tubes. According to Etma Secretary General Gregor Spengler, deliveries to the leading markets in the cosmetics sector in terms of volume fell by around three per cent. At around one per cent, sales of dental care products fell only slightly in 2020. In contrast, the Pharmaceutical sectorthe second most important sales market for the tube packaging material, increase by three per cent. According to Spengler, the tube also benefited as a particularly hygienic, consumer-friendly and easy-to-use packaging from the strong increase in demand for hygiene and disinfection products during the coronavirus pandemic.
"As a result of the pandemic, especially High-priced cosmetic products suffered as numerous sales channels and key revenue drivers in the industry, such as shops in city centres and at airports, beauty salons and hairdressing and beauty salons across Europe were closed for long periods of time. Unfortunately, this situation has continued at the beginning of 2021." Gregor SpenglerSecretary General Etma
Strong Gains of 12 per cent tubes achieved in the Food sector. Due to the lockdowns, increased home office and home schooling, people spent much more time at home. The food sector also benefited from the fact that significantly more meals were prepared and eaten at home, favoured by the closure of restaurants and pubs. There was also a 14 per cent increase in household and do-it-yourself products.
Forecast 2021 difficult
According to Etma The tube industry is looking at the lack of availability of plastic recyclates and the force majeure cases for PP and PE-HD declared by some plastics manufacturers in recent weeks. There are fears that these developments will lead to Cost drivers become.
Otherwise, due to the ongoing pandemic situation, customers are observing a noticeable restraint. Stocks are being reduced, but new projects are being tackled rather hesitantly. Furthermore, customers' ever-shorter planning horizons pose an additional challenge for the industry.
The further development of the European tube industry in 2021 is therefore very difficult to predict and depends on the further development of the pandemic. Overall, with "all due caution", the Etma members expect to see an increase in sales from autumn 2021. Sustainable revitalisation of demand.
Source: European Tube Manufacturers Association
