More aerosols were manufactured in the UK last year than ever before according to latest industry figures.The statistics were announced by the British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA) which revealed a record 1.562 billion cans were filled in 2017.
The personal care sector accounted for the largest volume of products (1.13 billion aerosols filled). Anti-perspirants were the biggest seller in this sector and across the industry overall with BAMA data showing that 470m anti-perspirants were manufactured in 2017 – 13m more than the previous year, representing 3% growth.Patrick Heskins, BAMA chief executive, said: “This year’s filling figures are welcome news and proof that UK aerosol manufacturing is thriving. We believe the record numbers are thanks to a combination of organic growth across the aerosol industry and filling activity being moved from mainland Europe to the UK.”
The annual statistics also show that the haircare sector had the largest growth over the past 12 months with 31% more products filled in 2017 than in 2016 – 150.5m and 114.8m respectively. These products include dry shampoo, mousse and hairsprays. Shaving products continued to sell well (171.7m products filled) as did perfumes and colognes which grew by 15% to 8.3m products filled.
Patrick added: “Aerosols continue to provide a convenient solution for billions of consumers’ daily routines. Personal care items underpin the industry’s consumer focus with the trend for powder-based anti-perspirants continuing in favour of body sprays and deodorants which do not contain powder actives. We expect this trend will continue to rise over the coming years.”
Air fresheners represented almost 75% of the household product filling sector with 198m products filled – a 20% rise on the previous year. BAMA credits the growth as attributable to the launch of new dry product ranges across Europe, helping to boost air freshener sales and in turn, filling figures. The number of polish and dusting aids filled has also increased by 15% to 20.7m.
Made primarily with high grade metal and recognised as widely recyclable, aerosols help to avoid product damage and degradation as well as waste, dispensing the right quantities in the right place, accurately with no mess.
Aluminium continued to be the packaging material of choice for most products, with 848.9m products filled. This was however a 2% drop on the previous year. As such, tinplate filling grew by 8% to 705.3m. The split between aluminium and tinplate was 55% and 45% respectively.
Patrick added: “UK Aerosol filling, after a small dip in 2016, has come back strongly in 2017. Despite market challenges and an uncertain political landscape, the aerosol industry has continued to thrive and demonstrate that it is an important sector in UK manufacturing.”
