The UK‘s plastic packaging sector will return to growth this year, according to a new report by market researcher Key Note (Teddington / UK; www.keynote.co.uk). The report, "Packaging (Plastics) 2014", says that as the economic recovery becomes increasingly established, the market will stabilise in the next five years leading to more consistent growth. Key Note forecasts the apparent value of the plastic packaging market in the UK to grow by 14.2% between 2014 and 2018.

Factors behind the substantial growth seen since 2009 include the increasingly widespread use of plastic packaging in sectors such as food and drink, pharmaceuticals and personal or household care items. The prioritisation of new product developments and technological innovations that improve production and distribution efficiency, extend shelf lives and exploit the growing consumer demand for convenience, are other significant influences.

The researcher warns that although threats exist, they are unlikely to prevent healthy growth overall. These threats, which it says are behind a 7.3% drop in market value in 2013, include the view held by consumers that plastic packaging is harmful to the environment, despite the substantial progress being made in lightweighting. In addition, on a political level, the industry faces increasingly stringent recovery and recycling targets, forcing manufacturers to adapt their operations and become less reliant on virgin polymers. Another threat is posed by the EU’s potential introduction of a levy on plastic bag usage.