Increase of the Packaging Market in the U.K. Can Be Ascribed to Rising Consumer Purchasing Power, a Growing Consumer Packaged Products Sector, and the Proliferation of Smart Phones

The majority of consumers in emerging economies are shaped by trends such as an increase in the number of working women and the prevalence of nuclear and double-income households, particularly in urban areas of the United Kingdom. Busier lifestyles necessitate on-the-go items that save cooking time, contributing to the growth of the convenience packaging sector, which has an impact on the packaging market in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, greater disposable income and increased consumption of packaged goods in emerging nations would drive demand for rigid packaging. As a result of technological improvements that are expected to open up large investment opportunities for organisations, the market for U.K. packaging is expected to have a higher growth potential in the marketplaces. The U.K. Packaging Market has generated a revenue of $19,329.0million in 2016

In the U.K., the packaging industry is referred to as a whole. Its one-of-a-kind representative for businesses and organisations involved in packaging production and related activities in the U.K. is assisting in market expansion. Plastic packaging has revolutionised the way the packaging industry in the UK used to work. Lightweight, durable, and pleasant packaging solutions are some of the causes that have increased the usage of plastics as a packaging material in the UK. Even though major worries regarding its environmental impact have been expressed, the market for plastic packaging continues to rise. Government laws and customer demand, on the other hand, will put pressure on manufacturers to find alternative plastic packaging options that are biodegradable or sourced from sustainable sources. Packaging is utilised in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. And for its high barrier qualities, long shelf-life, and durability, plastic packaging has acquired a lot of popularity in the healthcare industry. Throughout the projection period, demand for plastic packaging solutions rose. The government of the UK intends to impose a new levy on all plastic packaging that does not contain at least 30% recycled material. Government efforts, such as levies on plastic carrier bags, have also had an impact on sales, exacerbating the fluctuating trading circumstances over the last five years.

The U.K. Packaging market based on packaging can be further segmented into Paper, Plastic, Metal, Wood, Glass, and Others. In 2016, plastic had the highest proportion of the market. From the point of manufacture to the point of consumption, plastic packaging is an integral aspect of the multi-faceted system for delivering products. Its primary goal is to safeguard and ensure the safe and secure delivery of the product to the end-user in flawless and ideal condition (manufacturer of product or consumer). During the study period, flexible packaging is anticipated to develop at a steady rate in the U.K. The demand for more flexible packaging in the region has been fuelled by the healthy expansion of end-users such as pet food, fresh food, and coffee. The necessity for single-serve solutions is growing as the general trend of shifting from rigid to flexible to accommodate changing lifestyles, as well as the growth of smaller households. Plastic packaging for the food business is becoming more popular. Because of their advantageous qualities, such as being lightweight and low cost, they are progressively replacing traditional materials such as paperboard, metals, and glass. Over the projection term, however, it is predicted to boost at a slow pace. The slow growth of the market in this region can be attributed to strict rules restricting the usage of plastic products, as well as increased consumer awareness about sustainability.

Increased customer concerns about food safety and sustainability are one of the primary growth drivers for UK Packaging. Changes in consumer lifestyles have also contributed to a rise in smart packaging consumption. The UK smart packaging is also driven by government laws in various countries about food waste. This industry has also been fueled by advancements in printing techniques in many industries. Other factors driving the demand for smart packaging in UK Market include increased industrialization in various countries, as well as product safety and brand protection.

The flexible packaging in the UK packaging industry has been impacted since the inception of flexo-offset printing and sample packaging, resulting in astounding potential. Furthermore, the flexible packaging business is expanding owing to its unique characteristics such as lightweight, flexibility, ease of disposal, mobility, and small footprint. Because of these advancements and cost-effective characteristics, the UK flexible packaging industry has found a wide range of applications in personal care. Environmental concerns about the use of plastic are a major barrier for the flexible packaging industry. However, some businesses have taken advantage of this by promoting the use of biodegradable plastics in their packaging operations. The increasing E-commerce sector, on the other hand, is propelling flexible packaging in the UK market forward. Faster product delivery is a prominent trend in the virtual retailing sector, thus this burgeoning area makes extensive use of flexible packaging for simplicity and efficiency during logistic operations. Furthermore, stiff plastic and glass containers are more prone to shatter during shipment, hence flexible packing materials such as pouches are becoming more popular as they are less likely to burst.

The major companies in the UK Packaging Market include ABC Packaging Ltd., Amipak Ltd., Belmont Packaging Limited., CBS Packaging Limited., H-Pack Packaging UK Ltd., Manupackaging U.K. Ltd., Euro Packaging UK Ltd., Crown Holdings, Inc., Ribble Packaging Ltd., and The Box Factory Ltd.

In April 2016, Amcor announced an agreement to acquire Alusa, the largest flexible packaging business in South America. The purchase price of US$435 million represents 8.5 times PBITDA. Alusa – which includes Alusa (Chile), Peruplast (Peru), Aluflex (Argentina), and Flexa (Colombia) – is owned by Techpack S.A. and Nexus Private Equity.

Over the years, companies have mainly focused on research and development and have been investing in developing various flexible and smart packaging devices. These advancements in technology-related packaging types are driving the market from 2016-to 2020.