Based in Brussels, Metal Packaging Europe will combine the best of both associations, creating what it claims is ‘a more efficient and powerful organization’, representing the interests of members from over 450 manufacturing sites.
Circular Economy
Public affairs will be a focal point of the organization allowing members to take ownership of the opportunities and challenges presented by the Circular Economy Package among others highlighting metal as a permanent material that can be recycled.
Martin Reynolds, VP, external and regulatory affairs, Crown Europe, and chairman, Metal Packaging Europe, said the announcement was a historical moment for the industry.
“Bringing all activity under one roof is an ambitious move that will allow the industry to develop and promote the multiple advantages of rigid metal packaging in a more focused manner,” he said.
Reynolds will be supported by board members Colin Gillis, president, Ball Beverage Packaging Europe and Francisco Rodrigues (MD, Packaging, Colep) as vice-chairmen.
Other corporate members include Ardagh Group, ASA Group, Blechwarenfabrik Limburg, Glud & Marstrand, Huber Packaging Group, Massilly Holding, Sarten, Silgan Metal Packaging, and Apeal, the association of European producers of steel for packaging.
According to a report ‘Metal Packaging Market Report’, (February 2017) by Allied Market Research, the global market is expected to grow $153bn by 2022, registering a CAGR of 3.3% during the period 2016-2022.
Based on end use, the food segment occupied more than two-fifths share of the total market in 2015.
It claims metal packaging provides superior barrier protection to its contents from pathogens, extends shelf life and can be easily sterilized.
On-the-go lifestyle
The report states a global rise in population and on-the-go lifestyle has triggered the demand for convenient packaging but fluctuation in prices of raw materials and bisphenol A (BPA) exposure could hinder market growth.
It claims increase in global consumption of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages has positively impacted the growth of metal packaging with increase in demand for aluminium beverage cans.
An increase in brewery firms and confectionery items has also increased demand for caps and closures, respectively. Furthermore, growth in industrialization is expected to trigger the demand for bulk packaging such as drums and barrels. Based on product type, cans have occupied approximately two-thirds share in 2015, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.9% during the forecast period.
In other regions, LAMEA (Latin America, Middle East, Africa) is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% during the analysis period, due to increase in demand for canned food and scarcity of harvestable land. India is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period.
Top players operating in the metal packaging market according to Allied Market Research include Ardagh Group, Alcoa Incorporated, CPMC Holdings, Manaksia Group, Emballator Metal Group, Ball Corporation, Crown Holdings, Silgam Holdings, Ton Yi International, and Tata Steel.
Metal Packaging Europe will host industry commissions working on topics common to all sectors including communications, food contact, packaging legislation, and sustainability.
There will be specific market focused commissions, led by member companies, for aerosol, beverage, food and general line.
Gordon Shade, CEO, Empac, said the merger will give the associations a more powerful voice.
Ellen Wauters, MD, BCME, added: “Through joint marketing, environmental and technical initiatives, we will continue to promote metal packaging to make it the first choice for consumer and industrial packaging.”
The industry’s Country Groups and National Associations will remain the voices of Metal Packaging Europe’s Members at national level. These are MEG in Denmark, Bev Can for Eastern Europe, La Boîte Boisson and SNFBM in France, Forum Getränkedose and VMV in Germany, Anfima in Italy, Metalen Verpakkingen Nederland in the Netherlands and BCME for the Benelux, AME and Latas de Bebidas in Spain, SVM in Switzerland, and Can Makers and MPMA in the UK.