The world market for aseptically packed products reached 123bn litres in 269bn packs last year and, according to the new Global Aseptic Packaging report, volumes have grown by more than 5% year-on-year (YOY) since 2008. Market analysts for the report predicted that, by 2016, the world market for aseptic packaging will reach 153bn litres in 333bn packs. Demand, according to the report, will come from south and south-east Asia and China, where growth is predicted to be 11% and 3.5% YOY respectively.
In the food packaging sector milk (for drinking) accounted for 39% of aseptically packed products, beverages for 37% and other dairy food products made up the remainder. Researchers for the report said aseptic filling is still to make a significant impact in food markets despite some established “niche” applications such as sauces and baby foods.
David Warrick, director of Warrick Research, which compiled the report, said: “The market for aseptic packaging developed in Europe and the industry supplying it has been centred on Europe. This report shows the market shift to Asia in the past four years and raises the prospect of this continuing in the next few years.”
Worldwide there are more than 13,000 operational aseptic filling systems and around 40 companies supplying the systems for operation. World usage of aseptic packaging, the report said, is reflected in global trends, which saw little use in Europe compared to wider usage in countries across Asia.
The report also said that value-added dairy products will be the fastest growing area of demand for aseptic filling systems.