According to The International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Can Manufacturers (AEROBAL), its members’ global shipments increased by 6% in 2023, reaching around 6.4 billion units.
It attributes the market growth to an ‘above-average’ rise in demand from various sectors; compared to the previous year, the shaving foam sector grew by 55%, hairspray grew by 12%, and deodorant grew by 9%.
Around 83% of total deliveries could be attributed to the personal care market. On the other hand, the pharmaceutical sector was responsible for around 1% of deliveries, a lower figure than average. The household sector fell by 15%, while the food sector fell by 3%.
In 27 EU Member States, including the United Kingdom, demand rose by 9%. North and South America saw deliveries increase by 10%, with these regions constituting around 72% of AEROBAL members’ total deliveries.
Similarly, the African market underwent an 11% increase in demand – yet deliveries to Asia/Australia and the Middle East each decreased by 2%.
“Aluminium aerosol can manufacturers are concerned about the shortage of qualified workers and the associated increases in labour costs,” explains AEROBAL’s secretary general, Gregor Spengler. “Manufacturers must develop effective strategies to keep know-how carriers in their companies and recruit young talents so that production capacities can continue to be utilized efficiently in the future. There is fierce competition worldwide for well-trained and committed employees.”
AEROBAL also highlights the growing emphasis on optimizing recyclability in the packaging industry, as demand increases among customers, consumers, and legislators alike.
“In this context, consistent design for recycling throughout the aerosol can industry’s supply chain plays a crucial role in the production of sustainable packaging solutions,” Spengler continues.
As the first half of 2024 commences and the order backlog remains high, AEROBAL believes that the outlook for aluminium aerosol can manufacturers remains positive.
“Demand is very robust overall,” Spengler adds. “Only the persistently high inflation in the main sales markets worldwide and the associated impact on consumer purchasing power is dampening sentiment in the industry somewhat.
“On the other hand, the convincing sustainability properties of aluminium, which can be recycled almost infinitely, are boosting sales. In this context, the availability of high-quality post-consumer recycling material is becoming an increasing challenge for the aluminium aerosol can industry.”
AEROBAL previously reported that its members’ global shipments increased by 5.5% between the first and second half of 2022, totalling an approximate figure of 3 billion units.
In the first half of 2023, AEROBAL members’ global shipments rose by 6.6% to just over 3.2 billion units; and interest in CO2 reduction and challenges posed by global economic conditions were said to be increasing.
Conversely, there are increasing concerns surrounding aluminium production in Germany. The production of primary aluminium almost halved in the third quarter of 2023, according to Aluminium Deutschland, and it now warns that increasing over-regulation, high energy costs, and economic recession could have a serious impact on the industry.
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