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Look Towards A New Future

Jan 31, 2012

Protective Packaging to 2015

This study analyzes the US protective packaging industry. It presents historical demand data for the years 2000, 2005 and 2010, and forecasts for 2015 and 2020 by function, market and product (e.g., molded foam, foam-in-place polyurethane, polyolefin rolls, protective mailers, paperboard protectors, bubble packaging, insulated shipping containers, air pillows, paper fill, dunnage bags, loose fill, molded pulp). The study also considers market environment factors, details industry structure, evaluates company market share and profiles industry players.

US demand to reach $5.9 billion in 2016
Protective packaging demand is expected to reach $5.9 billion in 2016, accelerating from the pace of the 2006-2011 period based on increased manufacturing output following the 2007-2009 recession and continued solid growth for electronic shopping. These factors will necessitate heightened requirements for costeffective packaging used in the protection of goods from shock, vibration, abrasion, temperature abuse and other damaging effects of shipping and handling.

Foamed plastics, insulated shipping containers, air pillows among best prospects
Above-average growth is expected for most foamed plastics, as well as insulated shipping containers and air pillows. In addition to benefiting from a recovery in the manufacturing sector, gains for molded and other foamed plastics will be aided by advantages of light weight and excellent cushioning capabilities compared to paperboard and other materials. Further advantages of foamed plastic products include the ability to be custom molded to conform to shapes of sensitive equipment such as computers, consumer electronics and instrumentation, thereby providing enhanced protective capabilities. However, longer-term prospects will be constrained by the outsourcing of manufacturing operations to offshore locales with lower labor costs and competition from greener alternatives.


2015 Protective Packaging Report

Published:January 2012
No. of Pages: 276



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The growing emphasis on packaging sustainability has also fueled numerous introductions of recycled content and biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastic-based protective packaging products. Nontraditional biodegradable alternatives to molded foams have been commercialized in the past few years and are poised to establish themselves as production capacity increases result in expanded availability.

More moderate gains are anticipated for paperboard protectors, paper fill, dunnage bags and loose-fill, the result of mature applications and/or competition from faster growing product types. Nonetheless, prospects for paper fill and biodegradable loose-fill will be helped by growing interest in environmentally friendly packaging. In addition, an improved outlook for consumer spending will bode well for demand for paperboard edge protection products, which are used by warehouse club stores, home center stores and other retail establishments to unitize and stack pallets. However, import competition in appliances will moderate paperboard protector demand.