Plastic Containers to 2012 (US industry forecasts for 2012 & 2017)

US demand for plastic containers will grow 5.4 percent annually through 2012 to nearly $32 billion, creating a demand for 15.7 billion pounds of resin. Gains will be bolstered by plastic' s many benefits relative to other packaging media, including light weight, shatter resistance, design flexibility, clarity, strength and effective barrier properties. However, demand will be limited by increasing maturity in such key markets as soft drinks and household chemicals. Growth in resin volume will be restrained by lightweighting and downgauging efforts aimed at reducing resin consumption. Unit expansion will outpace volume gains as a result of consumer preferences for smaller, single-serving containers in large markets like food and beverages.

Plastic bottles and jars, which accounted for 78 percent of total plastic container volume in 2007, will remain the leading container type through 2012. Demand for resin used in plastic bottles and jars will advance 3.0 percent annually to 12.3 billion pounds in 2012, with unit demand increasing 4.8 percent annually to 168 billion units. While resin growth will be hindered by a shift to smaller bottles in laundry detergent packaging, unit growth will be supported by the popularity of smaller-sized beverage bottles and continued expansion of the bottled water market, the largest single market for plastic bottles. The food market will also provide above-average opportunities as the improved barrier properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) will expand the use of plastic bottles and jars in hot-fill applications. In the pharmaceuticals market, the aging population will benefit plastic bottle and jar demand, as senior citizens tend to be among the heaviest consumers of packaged medications. In markets such as household chemicals and automotive fluids, market maturity will result in below-average bottle and jar gains.

It presents historical data (1997, 2002 and 2007) plus forecasts to 2012 and 2017. Plastic container demand is provided in pounds and units by product, resin and market. This study also assesses principal technological factors, evaluates market share and profiles 37 US industry players.