Summary

The global metal packaging market, valued at US$ 153 billion in 2022 and growing at a CAGR of 3.3%, is experiencing steady expansion driven by its durability, preservation qualities, and high recyclability. Europe, with Italy leading at 17% of turnover, exhibits a significant share in the market, marked by a 3.4% annual growth. Despite this growth, the Italian market encountered a 2% drop and a further production decline during the Covid-19 pandemic with a notable downturn in May 2020 of -21.8% compared to the previous year. 

The food, beverage, and cosmetic industries remain major demand drivers, with the trend towards sustainable packaging influencing consumer preferences, particularly favoring glass and rejecting plastic due to environmental concerns. Aluminum packaging commands 65% of Italian market turnover, with steel covering the rest. The market, however, faces a decrease in raw material costs for steel and aluminum that has not translated into reduced prices for metal packaging. Overall, consumer demand for sustainability and ongoing urbanization in Asia suggest potential for market growth, particularly with initiatives like India's ABCAI aiming to increase aluminum can usage.

Italian Metal Packaging Market Trends and Analysis

The Italian metal packaging industry has been experiencing a phase of positive growth and structural change. Between 2015 and 2022, aiming to reach a market value of approximately between US$ 150 and US$ 155 billion by 2022. Several factors are propelling this demand forward, particularly the material's preservative qualities that ensure extended shelf life, taste preservation, and intact nutrition values, along with its high recyclability. Steel and aluminum, the main components of metal packaging, boast the highest recycling rates of all packaging materials. Moreover, the push towards more sustainable product development is aligning with social demands, given that about 80% of all steel produced is still in use today. In Europe, metal packaging production amounts to an average of 98 billion units per year, equating to about 4 units per person per week. Despite this high production level, metal packaging holds a relatively smaller share in the overall packaging sector at about 12.2%, while cardboard and plastic together make up almost 60%.

In terms of the Italian market specifically, the steel industry has seen a steady increase of roughly 7.2% in production, reaching somewhere between 670 and 680 thousand tons. However, the aluminum sector has seen a decline of roughly 17.9% over the same period, leading to a production of just over 23 thousand tons. The landscape of the metal packaging sector shows a trend towards consolidation, as the number of firms has diminished by around 18.8%, although the actual number of employees has only fallen by less than 1%. This indicates that companies are growing larger with increased staff per organization, from an average of around 40 to 50 employees per company over five years. Regionally, Lombardia stands out as the hub for manufacturing with over 60 enterprises, followed by Campania with around 40. The majority of companies in this sector are small to medium-sized; more than half have less than 20 employees, and only a fractional 3.7% maintain a workforce exceeding 250 employees. Despite the clear potential in the market, consumers are showing a strong preference for sustainable packaging solutions.

Leading Figures in the Metal Packaging Industry

The metal packaging industry, with its unique appeal and ecological considerations, is sketched by the presence and actions of several eminent companies. Each of these players contributes distinctively to the market’s dynamics, shaping its landscape. Here, we focus on some of the market leaders cited in the provided text and delve into their roles and product portfolios.

  • Crown Imballaggi Italia stands as a significant entity in the market. Known for its extensive range of metal packaging solutions, Crown Imballaggi Italia specializes in the production of cans, ends, and other metal packaging components. Their offerings cater to various sectors including the food, beverage, and aerosol industries.
  • Trivium Packaging Italy emerges as another key player. With a blend of innovation and sustainability at the core of its operations, Trivium provides metal packaging that serves the needs of an extensive clientele. Their product suite extends from food cans to bottles and aerosols, all designed with a keen eye on eco-friendliness and consumer convenience.
  • Carcano Antonio focuses on aluminum packaging products. Their expertise spans everything from rolling to the final packaging stages, offering a wide array of foils, wraps, and flexible packaging options. Carcano Antonio’s emphasis on research and development ensures their products are at the forefront of the market’s technological and environmental demands.
  • Silfa operates in the general line segment, offering a diverse line of metal packaging products. They cater to the requirements of several industries by providing robust containers that range from small cans to large storage drums. Their products are touted for their resistance to impact and preservation capabilities.
  • Limea Fisma specializes in the manufacturing of metal cans and lids, with a portfolio that includes various shapes and sizes to suit different market needs. Limea Fisma’s dedication to quality and state-of-the-art technologies ensures their products are both reliable and innovative.
  • Eurospray claims its stake in the metal packaging market as a leader in the production of aerosol cans. They supply secure and functional aerosol packaging solutions, servicing a spectrum of industries from beauty and pharmaceuticals to home care and technical products.
  • Ball Beverage Packaging Italia carves its name in the manufacturers of cans and bottles made for the beverage industry. Their offerings guarantee quick cooling, durability, and a strong appeal for marketing purposes—attributes that make metal cans a favorite in the beverage sector.

 

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  • Last update : 01/09/2023
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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Definition and scope of study

Metal packaging includes packaging made of steel and at aluminium such as cans, which preserve food, hygiene products, beverages, etc.

The market for metal packaging is divided between several players: the producers of minerals and petrochemicals (bauxite, soda, carbon), the suppliers (steel, aluminum), packaging producers and end-users (industry, trade, transport-storage). In this study, we cover the last three categories.

The global metal packaging industry is expanding in terms of size and sales thanks to the attractive features of durability, format, preservation and metal recycling. Nevertheless, metal packaging accounts for a relatively small share of total packaging (12.2%), which implies that this material has great potential for development . [all4pack]. This development will most likely come from developing countries and Asia, where India, for example, is seeking to increase the use of aluminum cans from 5% to 25% by 2030.

In Italy, the market has been growing at a slow pace, and it even experienced a 2% decrease in 2019. Aluminium packaging represents 65% of the turnover, while steel packaging represents the remaining share.

Regarding the market structure, the number of companies in the sector has decreased significantly, with a reduction of 18.8% since 2013. The number of salaried employees, on the other hand has decreased by less than 1%. This means that the sector is concentrating, with more and more employees per companies. 

The main industries which drive the demand for metal packaging are the food, beverage and cosmetic-pharmaceutical industries. However, in these industries, metal packaging represents only a minority share of total packaging, where the market is dominated by plastic and cardboard. However, its development potential is significant, and its high recycling rate could be a major asset in the coming years.

As a matter of fact, consumers have become increasingly aware about the role of packaging in environmental pollution, and they are starting to choose their products also according to their packaging. Indeed, 29% of customers declared that they avoid or limit the purchase of products with too much packaging. Metal packaging can, however, become a sustainable choice due to its high recycling rate. Indeed, in 2017, 75.3% of steel packaging and 63.4% of aluminium packaging placed on the Italian market was recycled.

1.2 The metal packaging industry is in full bloom

The metal packaging industry is in full bloom; between **** and ****, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of *.*% to reach US$ *** billion by ****.  

Global market size for metal packaging World, ****-****, in US$ billion Source: ****

Several factors are driving this demand. First, the intrinsic traits of metal packaging, including ...

1.3 The European market is also growing

The European market for rigid metal packaging grew by an average of *.*% per year between **** and ****. Indeed, it has grown from a turnover of **.* to **.* billion euros. After stagnating between **** and ****, the market seems to be regaining its dynamism with a growth of *.*% between **** and ****

European sales of metal packaging Europe, ...

1.4 The Italian market has been growing steadily

The Italian metal packaging market has been increasing steadily for many years, reaching a value of *.*** billion euros in ****. However, the market has grown at a slow pace since ****, and it even experienced a *% drop in ****.

Valore della produzione di imballaggi leggeri in metallo Italia, ****-****, in miliardi di euro Fonte: ...

1.5 A drop in production during the Covid-19 crisis

The market for metal packaging experienced a drop in production during the lockdown caused by the Covid-** pandemic. Indeed, the industrial production index for the manufacture of "imballaggi leggeri in metallo" (***) experienced a marked drop.

The industrial production index (***) is a short-term indicator that measures the monthly evolution of productive activity, ...

2 Demand Analysis

2.1 Metal ranks third among packaging materials

Metal packaging represents **.*% of total packaging sales in **** in Italy (***).

With the total packaging market estimated at **.* billion in ****, the opportunities to gain market share are significant. [***] However, recyclable plastics are not included in the ban and they represent an increasingly important part of plastic packaging with the development of ...

2.2 The food, beverage and cosmetic industry: drivers of the demand for metal packaging

As we've seen in section *.*, the main sectors which drive the demand for metal packaging are the food, beverage and cosmetic & pharmaceutical industry. Analysing each industry independently, we can get a better sense about the importance of metal packaging compared to packaging made out of other materials. 

The most used material ...

2.3 The increase in demand for sustainable packaging

As we've seen before, the packaging industry is tightly linked to the consumer products industry. The latter consistently monitors the opinion of consumers about numerous matters and often changes its production processes or offer to meet their needs. 

According to a survey carried out by Osservatorio Nomisma, the material that Italians ...

3 Market structure

3.1 The supply chain of metal packaging

Source: ****

Raw material suppliers: Steel is made from iron. It is produced either through the Blast Furnace, made from iron ore and coal (***) which is made from recovered steel. Aluminium is made through two processes: either through the Bayer process of refining the bauxite ore to obtain aluminum oxide, or the ...

3.2 The production of steel and aluminium are following opposing trends

The production index of the code Ateco **.** gives un the trends in the production of metal packaging. The production of metal packaging is highly variable, with peaks in production in July and lows in December.

Indice della produzione industriale di imballaggi leggeri in metallo Italia, ****, in base ****=*** Fonte: Istat

The production ...

3.3 The metal packaging sector is becoming more concentrated

The number of companies in the sector has decreased significantly, with a reduction of **.*% since ****. The number of salaried employees, on the other hand has decreased by less than *%. This means that the sector is concentrating, with more and more employees per companies. As a matter of fact, the number of ...

4 Analysis of the offer

4.1 Offer overview

The offer overview can be described as follows according to the classification of metalpackagingeurope:

Aerosols : complete UV protection and excellent storage characteristics, which help prevent the penetration of moisture and oxygen. The product remains airtight thanks to a sealed lid, and is highly functional and durable. Cans and bottles can be ...

4.2 A significant drop in the price of steel and aluminum that is not reflected in metal packaging prices

The prices for raw materials used to produce metal packaging, mainly steel and aluminium, have been falling steadily since August ****.

The price of steel has decreased by approximately **% between August **** and January ****.

Indice dei prezzi alla produzione di acciaio Italia, ****-****, base ****=*** Fonte: Istat

The price of aluminium has decreased by ...

4.4 High levels of recycling are achieved in Italy

When metal packaging reaches the end of its use, steel and aluminum are collected and recycled, for infinite times, without loss of their intrinsic properties.

In ****, **.*% of steel packaging and **.*% of aluminium packaging placed on the Italian market was recycled. Metal packaging is the most recycled packaging in Europe. [***]

The largest ...

5 Regulation

5.1 Regulations

Italy is subject to European Community law. Within this legal framework, Directive **/**/EC on packaging and packaging waste is a central element. This directive was created in **** and has been in force since ****. Some of the points included in this scope and which are related to metal packaging in general ...

6 Positioning of the players

6.1 Segmentation

Source: ****

  • Silfa
  • Limea-Fisma
  • Eurospray
  • Crown Imballaggi Italia
  • Tecnocap
  • Trivium Packaging Italy
  • Carcano Antonio
  • Ball Beverage Packaging Italia
  • Guala Closures

List of charts

  • Répartition des conteneurs légers en fer blanc, par type
  • Répartition des fûts en tôle fine, par utilisation
  • Répartition des emballages en aluminium, par type
  • Taille du marché mondial de l'emballage métallique
  • Marché mondial des emballages, par matériau
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Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Silfa
Limea-Fisma
Eurospray
Crown Imballaggi Italia
Tecnocap
Trivium Packaging Italy
Carcano Antonio
Ball Beverage Packaging Italia
Guala Closures

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