Indian packaging market could challenge Europe

By Mark Astley

- Last updated on GMT

Indian packaging market could challenge Europe

Related tags Flexible packaging Flexible packaging market Packaging

The Indian flexible packaging industry has the potential to challenge European markets in the next few years, according to a packaging market analyst.

India’s flexible packaging market is currently worth $3bn a year, and researchers are expecting further growth, meaning huge opportunities in the sector.

A recent report by PCI Films, The Indian Flexible Packaging Market 2011​, predicts that the Indian share of the world market, which currently represents 5%, will continue to grow at around 15% each year until 2015.

Commenting on the report, packaging industry analysts Pira International acknowledged that India “offers enormous potential for packaging growth.”

“Growth in the Indian packaging market offers export opportunities for European packaging equipment suppliers and the possibility for flexible film producers and converters to invest in the country,” ​added Pira.

“There could however be a longer term threat from cheaper Indian imports of flexible packaging coming into Europe should the Indian market be unable to absorb the growing volume of packaging materials being produced in the country.”

Growing demand

The PCI Films Consulting report commented, “India is, in flexible packaging as in so many other things, a land of opportunity.”

“With only 5% of food currently packaged, and WalMart only last year allowed to move into retail, the opportunities in flexible packaging are clearly enormous.”

Rising consumer demand, a fast growing food retail sector, new technology, and greater investment by domestic and international companies in the food packaging market have all been attributed as factors to India’s growth.

Demand for packaging in India continued to rise during the worldwide recession due to the increase in “packaged good sales at the expense of unpackaged goods,” and the launch of several new products such as soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and dairy and home care products.

Established industry

Converting industries are already well established in India, producing European standard flexible packaging as well as a large number of small businesses producing packaging of a much lower quality.

It has been generally assumed by commentators that the Indian flexible packaging market will grow along the same lines as the Chinese market in previous years.

However the report is quick to suggest that, “the dynamics of the two territories are completely different.”

“A bureaucratic and challenging political landscape, an increasing focus on environmental issues and the presence of established players, sometimes owned by the very manufacturers they supply, means that, while it may well be time to ‘dip a toe’ in the Indian market, there are still substantial hurdles to clear.”

Related topics Processing & Packaging

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2 comments

Indian Packaging market to grow

Posted by Sanjeev,

Indian flexible packaging industry has shown a tremendous growth in the past few years and is steadily growing. UFLEX a key player and largest Flexible Packaging conglomerate. And, growth plans in the international market are quite a positive sign for Indian company's making a strong presence in the international arena.

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Indian Packaging market to take lead

Posted by Bana Deepti,

The Indian packaging industry is creating ripples in the global front. The industry's growth has been boosted by packaging giants like Uflex Ltd offering innovative, technologically advanced and sustainable packaging solutions. Uflex is undeniably a significant part of the flexible packaging industry's growth story in India.

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