Since the global financial crisis, the food and packaging machinery manufacturing division of German engineering association VDMA (Frankfurt; www.vdma.org/packaging-machinery) has only ever moved in one direction: upwards. Last year, however, saw a stop to the 10-year growth phase, with machinery production down 9% to EUR 13.9 bn as exports declined 8% to EUR 8.5 bn.

The association’s MD Richard Clemens said, “This drop in production does not come as a surprise, because 2019 was an exceptionally strong year for our sector. Even without the coronavirus pandemic, we would probably only have just exceeded the high level of 2019.”

Current estimates suggest that a return to the 2019 level is not very likely for 2021. “Although we are expecting production to grow this year, it probably won’t be in double digits,” Clemens said. He was positive about the general outlook for the industry as companies are still benefiting from the rising global demand for processed and packaged foods, beverages, cosmetic products and pharmaceuticals.

The range of packaging machinery – the sector group represents some 120 manufacturers – includes production machines for packaging material, dosing, feeding and sorting units, form, fill and seal machines, cartoners and also complete packaging lines for primary, secondary and transport packaging.