Glass packaging production in Europe grew by 2.9% in volume (tonnes) and by 2.1% in unit terms in 2016 according to data published by the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE). The data included the production of container glass for food and beverages in the EU, Switzerland, and Turkey based on direct industry production data from FEVE member companies compiled by Vivid Economics for FEVE.
The data indicates that growth was driven by exports as well as continued demand for glass packaging in food and beverage segments in Europe. A total volume of 20.9 million tonnes or 75.9 billion units were produced in Europe for the EU and international food and beverage markets.
“The buoyant demand for glass is a strong signal of trust from customers in our industry and in glass packaging to help brands stand out on the shelves both in the European market and internationally,” says FEVE President Johan Gorter.
The strong performance in 2016 confirms the steady trend of the last five years. Since 2012, the industry has increased its production by 5.8% in volume and 6.1% in units.
Glass continues to be the reference packaging material for leading markets such as spirits, wine, and beer, while it is increasingly gaining share in the food, water, and dairy sectors. This is not only due to new consumption trends for local, organic, and natural food, but also because of the positive image of glass packaging and the strong consumer trust in glass as their preferred packaging for environmental, health, and taste preservation reasons. According to a recent survey, glass is consumers’ favorite packaging, with one in two Europeans saying they use more glass than three years ago, and 75% of Europeans view glass as the most environmentally friendly packaging.
“It is encouraging that consumers trust glass because of its sustainability credentials and because it best preserves the quality of their preferred products. As an industry, we are committed to making the inherent properties of glass more visible to our customers and to the final consumer,” Gorter says.
