UK FILM MARKET
PE films break 1m tonne barrier / Bags and sacks lead import surge from Asia / Greater use of LLDPE polymer / OPP market falls 2%
Import growth of 12.4% fuelled a 2.3% increase in the PE film market in the UK last year, lifting apparent consumption to an all-time high of 1.018m tonnes, the first time it had broken the million tonne barrier. Total PE output by UK extruders was 870,000t, of which 87% was consumed in the home market as exports remained virtually static at 115,000t.
Of the 263,000t of film imported into the UK in 1998, EU countries supplied 68kt of the 79kt of sheet film and layflat, but only 30kt of the 187kt of bags and sacks. A total of 155kt of bags/sacks came from outside Western Europe, principally from Asia and led by Thailand (36kt), China (35kt), Malaysia (31.5kt) and Indonesia (21.5kt).
In polymer terms, usage of LLDPE increased by 3.9%, to 291kt, as LDPE fell 4.4%, to 370kt, and HDPE declined 2.9%, to 68kt. The use of MDPE and EVA both also fell, but extrusion of purchased recycled PE climbed to 80kt, a rise of 5.3% on 1997.
Biggest single market for PE film in the UK, according to PIFA (Packaging and Industrial Films Association, GB-Nottinghamshire NG7 7GR) which has incorporated the statistics into its latest annual report, is carrier bags, accounting for 14lkt in 1998, a rise of 2.9%. Next highest is pallet stretch, up 8.7% to 100kt, followed by refuse sacks and retail/retailer bags. Nonpackaging applications accounted for just 73kt, or 7%, of the total market.
Since 1994, PIFA says total PE film imports from non-EU countries has more than doubled and, despite the effects of inflation, the average price has fallen by over 10%. With UK exports to these countries adding up to less than 4,000t, the association takes the view that the loss in sales of UK-manufactured sacks and bags could have brought about 20 plant closures and the loss of at least 1,500 jobs.
European sales for OPP films increased 6% in 1998 but UK demand fell 2%, to 94,000t. Home output declined to 107kt as local sales fell 14%, to 36kt, during a 12-month period when imports rose to 58kt as low priced film from new capacity in south-east Europe entered the market. In its report, PIFA warns of major challenges facing OPP film producers as at least three new European production lines are expected to start up this year.
Of the 263,000t of film imported into the UK in 1998, EU countries supplied 68kt of the 79kt of sheet film and layflat, but only 30kt of the 187kt of bags and sacks. A total of 155kt of bags/sacks came from outside Western Europe, principally from Asia and led by Thailand (36kt), China (35kt), Malaysia (31.5kt) and Indonesia (21.5kt).
In polymer terms, usage of LLDPE increased by 3.9%, to 291kt, as LDPE fell 4.4%, to 370kt, and HDPE declined 2.9%, to 68kt. The use of MDPE and EVA both also fell, but extrusion of purchased recycled PE climbed to 80kt, a rise of 5.3% on 1997.
Biggest single market for PE film in the UK, according to PIFA (Packaging and Industrial Films Association, GB-Nottinghamshire NG7 7GR) which has incorporated the statistics into its latest annual report, is carrier bags, accounting for 14lkt in 1998, a rise of 2.9%. Next highest is pallet stretch, up 8.7% to 100kt, followed by refuse sacks and retail/retailer bags. Nonpackaging applications accounted for just 73kt, or 7%, of the total market.
Since 1994, PIFA says total PE film imports from non-EU countries has more than doubled and, despite the effects of inflation, the average price has fallen by over 10%. With UK exports to these countries adding up to less than 4,000t, the association takes the view that the loss in sales of UK-manufactured sacks and bags could have brought about 20 plant closures and the loss of at least 1,500 jobs.
European sales for OPP films increased 6% in 1998 but UK demand fell 2%, to 94,000t. Home output declined to 107kt as local sales fell 14%, to 36kt, during a 12-month period when imports rose to 58kt as low priced film from new capacity in south-east Europe entered the market. In its report, PIFA warns of major challenges facing OPP film producers as at least three new European production lines are expected to start up this year.
30.06.1999 Plasteurope.com [17950]
Published on 30.06.1999