World demand for bulk packaging is projected to rise 5.8% per year to $56.0 billion in 2015, with advances driven by growth in manufacturing activity, especially in key end-use industries such as food and beverages and chemicals and pharmaceuticals. 

Together, China and the United States–the two largest markets–will account for about one-half of value gains in bulk packaging demand between 2010 and 2015, according toWorld Bulk Packaging, a new study fromThe Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.

Film wrap will see the fastest gains, benefiting from growing requirements for the bundling and protection of goods during warehousing and distribution.  Demand for film wrap will also be bolstered by retail trends.

Although shipping sacks will continue to represent the largest product type, shipping sack demand will experience below-average growth through the forecast period and beyond.  Strong price competition and increasing use of alternative products-such as flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) and various rigid bulk packaging types, including material handling containers and drums-will serve to limit gains in shipping sack demand.  

Demand for drums will benefit from an upswing in global chemical and pharmaceutical production. Growth in pail demand will be slightly below average, due to competition from other packaging formats, including drums, bulk boxes and shipping sacks.  

The Asia/Pacific region will post the most rapid increases and remain the biggest regional market in the world. Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and the Africa/Mideast region will also experience above-average growth, though advances in these areas will stem from relatively small bases (collectively, these three regions will only account for 12% of global bulk packaging demand in 2015).  Overall, the fastest growth will be seen in Asia, specifically in India, China and Indonesia.  Other developing countries such as Russia, Mexico and Brazil are also expected to see healthy gains.

World Bulk Packaging(published 05/2011, 403 pages) is available for $6100 fromThe Freedonia Group, Inc., 767 Beta Drive, Cleveland, OH  44143-2326.  For further details, please contact Corinne Gangloff by phone 440-684-9600, fax 440-646-0484 or e-mail pr@freedoniagroup.com.