“World Labels,” a new study from The Freedonia Group notes, “World demand for labels is projected to rise 5.2% annually to 51.6 billion square meters in 2015, valued at $110 billion. Advances will be driven by gains in manufacturing activity. Pressure-sensitive labels will remain the largest product type and continue to take market share from glue-applied products in major packaging applications. Above-average demand growth is also expected in other label segments such as stretch sleeve, heat-shrink, and in-mold labels, though gains in these relatively newer label technologies will stem from small bases.”
The study points out that p-s labels accounted for 52% of the global label market (in volume terms) in 2010, “a share that is expected to increase further in the coming years. While demand for glue-applied labels will see below-average growth, this segment will remain the second largest overall, accounting for more than 30% of global label market volume through 2015. Smaller label segments such as stretch-sleeve, heat-shrink, and in-mold labels will see some of the fastest growth through the forecast period.”
The study predicts the fastest growth will come from the Asia/Pacific region “due to its large manufacturing industries. Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and the Africa/Mideast region will also experience above-average growth. Overall, the fastest growth will occur in Asia, specifically in India, China and Indonesia. China alone will account for 31 percent of global label market volume gains between 2010 and 2015.”
More established North America and Western European markets will show slower growth. That said, the U.S. made up 18% of global sales volume last year, the largest national label market in the world.
Despite slower growth, the report notes, “Good opportunities will still be found in developed countries, especially for digitally printed labels that capitalize on trends favoring shorter label runs and mass customization.”
The 440-page World Labels report is available for $6100 from The Freedonia Group, Inc., 767 Beta Drive, Cleveland, OH 44143-2326. For further details, contact Corinne Gangloff by phone 440.684.9600, fax 440.646.0484 or e-mail [email protected].
