The trade magazine for the packaging industry
The European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA) presents the figures for aluminium foil deliveries from European manufacturers. At 723,000 tonnes, production in the first nine months of this year was 2.7% higher than in 2020 (706,500 tonnes), which is attributable to increased domestic consumption that offset the decline in exports.
Deliveries of aluminium foil by European manufacturers fell slightly in the third quarter of 2021 compared to the previous quarter. However, the Deliveries exceeded in the same quarter of the previous year. As the European Aluminium Foil Association EAFA reported that at 236,500 tonnes, deliveries increased by 1.3 per cent compared to the previous year (Q3 2020: 233,400 tonnes).
Relaxation on the European market
The Demand on the European markets recovered continued to grow strongly (up 7 per cent). Deliveries of thin film, which is mainly used for flexible packaging and household film, increased by 6 per cent compared to the same period last year. Thick film, which is used for semi-rigid containers, technical and other applications, also increased significantly by 9 per cent in these markets.
The Exports declined on the other hand, due to the ongoing global supply chain and trade problems and other pandemic-related factors backbut also due to a stronger focus on domestic deliveries.
Total deliveries of thin film rose by just over one per cent in the first nine months. A strong increase of over 5 per cent was recorded for thick film compared to the previous year.
Industry struggles with various production problems
"The Demand remains high in all sectorsin which film is used - both for packaging and technical applications. The European film rollers continue to do their best to serve customers with all available capacity. The increase in deliveries in Q3 year-on-year is a remarkable achievement considering the headwinds we are facing."
Guido Aufdemkamp, EAFA Managing Director
He added: "The The challenges are immensewhich are characterised by the General shortage of aluminium materialThis is due to the increasing demand for packaging materials, difficulties in logistics and many other production problems, including a shortage of packaging materials such as wood, as well as exploding energy costs. For the rolling mills, this means adapting flexibly to these changing circumstances. The Business prospects are goodbut the last few months have shown that small things can have a big impact, so we need to remain vigilant."