Growing consumerism in Europe for packaged goods including packaged food, beverages, toiletries and cosmetics has spurred demand for packaging machinery in the region. In order to enhance process efficiency across industries and to sustain investments in the market, manufacturers have also switched over to automation to cater to the needs of packaging solutions.
Demographic changes such as an aging population and the increasing number of small households in Europe drive the need for single-portion packaging, leading end-user sectors to turn to specialised packaging lines and machinery.
"Intense competition and the economic downturn have forced industries across Europe to optimise their production processes and decrease operational costs," said Frost & Sullivan Industrial Automation and Process Control Research Manager Sivakumar Narayanaswamy. "Automation packaging machinery that eliminates labour, generates less waste, and enhances productivity is, therefore, becoming widely accepted." Analysis of the European Packaging Machinery Market is part of the Industrial Automation & Process Control Growth Partnership Service program.
Sale volumes have gone up further with the advent of multi-functional packaging equipment that reduce costs and provide better space management. Integrated systems also have greater operational flexibility and can adjust to new production specifications.
However, mature markets such as Germany, France and Italy are already well-equipped, and, likely to generate limited orders for these advanced packaging machines. High taxation and labour costs in these countries also dissuade foreign investors and limit green field projects, curbing new equipment uptake. In southern Europe, the downturn has affected process and discrete industries. End users are looking to trim operating and maintenance costs, and are unwilling to invest in non-crucial automation processes.
"Machine suppliers need to concentrate on regions that have not been affected by the economic downturn," concluded Narayanaswamy. "The markets in Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe, and the United Kingdom will offer the highest scope for adoption due to their stable economy and end-user growth."
Analysis of the European Packaging Machinery Market, finds that the market earned revenues of more than USD 12.62 billion in 2012 and estimates this to reach USD 14.63 billion in 2016. The research covers filling, closing, and filling and closing (FCFC) machinery, form-fill-seal (FFS) machinery, wrapping machinery, group packaging machinery, and pelletising machinery. End-user segments include chemicals and petrochemicals, food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, confectionery and tobacco, and toiletries and cosmetics.