Western Europe

Following the boost to volume sales in the retail channel in 2020 when the pandemic first arrived in the Netherlands and the increased time being spent at home by Dutch consumers, hot drinks sales have since been in decline, including in 2023. As a…

Fresh coffee beans was one of the best performers among the various hot drinks categories in 2023, benefiting from premiumisation. In particular, it has been benefiting from single-origin and speciality coffee, as consumers become more concerned…

Instant coffee continues to be the biggest product area in the Turkish hot drinks market, with flexible plastic the dominant pack type in this category. Although aluminium/plastic pouches are seeing strong growth and gaining share in instant coffee,…

In France, leading players in shelf stable soup have been responding to the challenging environment by revamping their brands and products. This has been boosting demand for glass bottles, although brick liquid cartons continue to dominate packaging…

Total meals and soups packaging volumes maintained growth in Germany in 2023. Flexible plastic led meals and soups packaging in this year due to several key factors. First, it offers versatility in design, allowing the production of various shapes…

Even prior to the pandemic, chilled pizza had been recording significant annual declines, which continued during the pandemic and on into 2022. Chilled pizza often loses out to the longer shelf life of frozen pizza. While the packaging unit volumes…

Meals and soups total packaging volumes maintained solid growth in 2022, although performances varied across categories and pack types. For instance, in 2022, the pack type share of thin wall plastic containers increased from an already significant…

The COVID-19 pandemic provided a significant boost to volume sales of meals and soups in Sweden, as consumers remained within their homes for fear of contracting the disease. Meals and soups categories such as ready meals, frozen pizza, meal kits,…

Total meals and soups packaging volumes continued to rise in Switzerland in 2023. Chilled soup continued to see above-average growth in packaging volumes from a low base in this year. The packaging volumes of thin wall plastic containers, PET…

Total meals and soups packaging volumes remained fairly static in the Netherlands in 2023. Dutch consumers are increasingly seeking fresh and healthier food options, with a growing emphasis on home-cooked meals and natural ingredients. This shift in…

Plastic pouches are seeing strong growth in dried ready meals and are therefore gaining share in this category. Major brands are using plastic pouches for their dried ready meal products due to their lightweight nature and compact size, which make…

In 2023, total meals and soups packaging volumes maintained growth in Turkey, although a slower increase was seen than in recent years. Although rising from a low base, chilled ready meals saw one of the most dynamic percentage increases in packaging…

The influence of sustainability is changing the landscape of packaging materials across industries, driving a marked trend towards eco-friendly solutions at the same time as adapting to changing consumer demands. Sustainable packaging materials are…

Packaging changes in Germany reflect a broader shift towards sustainability and environmental stewardship. The EU’s imposition of a “plastic tax” in 2021 has put tremendous pressure on businesses and industries to adopt more environmentally-friendly…

In 2022, the main trend in the packaging industry in Italy was a strong emphasis on sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions. Italy, like many countries, is experiencing growing concerns about environmental issues, prompting a shift in…

In 2022, Spain’s packaging landscape continued to see growth in plant-based dairy, with brick liquid cartons remaining the primary packaging type for these products due to their exceptional barrier properties. Emerging categories like plant-based…

In Sweden, there is a strong emphasis on adopting sustainable packaging solutions in response to growing environmental concerns. Brands are introducing eco-friendly options such as the Conflex Silk packaging for bouillon cubes. The Swedish dairy…

In 2022, the Swiss packaging market saw a series of developments, shaped by evolving consumer preferences, sustainability concerns and innovations in packaging solutions.

The packaging industry in the Netherlands is undergoing a transformation due to a growing emphasis on sustainability, health-conscious consumer choices and eco-friendly alternatives. The rise in plant-based and vegetarian diets has led to a surge in…

The UK’s packaging industry is currently influenced by two prominent trends. Firstly, the widespread use of flexible plastic packaging, especially in areas like cheese packaging, which is being driven by its cost-effectiveness, convenience and…