Aluminium packaging production slips 9% in 2009

Producers of aluminium packaging managed to ride out the economic crisis in 2009 relatively well, according to trade association Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie (GDA).

Production of packaging made from or using aluminium fell from 393,000 tonnes in 2008 to 356,600 tonnes in 2009, a 9% drop. Packaging for premium cosmetics saw a particularly significant drop off, as consumers deferred making a purchase, while pharma packaging, dairy products and beverages all saw steady growth.

GDA says the figure is slightly about the 5% decline in gross domestic product and is mainly attributed to destocking along the whole supply chain. Turnover also fell from €2.4bn in 2008 to €2.1bn in 2009, due in part to lower world prices of aluminium, according to GDA.

“After a good year in 2008 the producers of aluminium packaging still managed to do reasonably well despite the global economic crisis,” commented Stefan Glimm, executive director, GDA. “In 2010 our sector is expecting a slight upward trend similar to that of the general economic forecasts.”