Asia-Pacific Glass Packaging Market - Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

Asia-Pacific Glass Packaging Market - Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The Asia-Pacific glass packaging market is expected to record a CAGR of 5.16% over the forecast period (2022-2027). The impact of COVID-19 on the glass packaging industry is mixed. The packaging demand for healthcare, groceries, and e-commerce transportation rose sharply during the pandemic. However, the demand for luxury, industrial, and B2B transportation declined. The impact depends on the exposure to different regions and the portfolio of the packaging players.

• The demand for healthier and safer packaging is boosting the growth of the glass packaging industry in different categories. Innovative techniques for shaping, giving artistic finish, and embossing are making packaging more desirable to the end-users. The demand for biodegradable and eco-friendly products and the growth of the beverage and food market stimulate the growth of glass packaging.
• It is one of the most trusted forms of packaging, as it is eco-friendly, healthy, and safe. It is also considered premium because of its elite designs or finish and its ability to maintain the product's freshness and safety. It is primarily used across a range of end-user industries.
• Glass packaging is also the most desirable eco-friendly packaging type due to its recyclable nature. The most significant innovation in recent times is the lightweight glass, which offers the same resistance as the previous glass type with higher stability and lower CO2 emissions.
• Emerging markets like India and China are experiencing high demand for soft drinks, beer, and ciders due to increased per capita income and spending, leading to changing consumer behaviors and lifestyles. However, increased operational costs also lead to the development of substitute products like tins and plastics.
• Further, seeking the demand in the region, many glass packaging companies are investing to expand in countries like India. For instance, Piramal Glass recently announced to build three more premium perfume manufacturing lines by investing over EUR 15 million. With this expansion, the company plans to add 50 million annual production capacity to its current level.
• Such expansion plans are expected to continue in the coming years, fueling the demand for glass bottles and containers over the forecast period. Moreover, the high growth rate of exports over imports of the glass industry in the region represents an increase in demand for glass bottles and containers.

• The glass packaging industry is experiencing intense competition from the metal packaging industry for alcoholic beverages. However, glass packaging is likely to maintain its large share during the forecast period, thus increasing the usage of premium products. The growth is expected across different beverage products, like coffee, juices, tea, non-dairy beverage, and soups.
• Among alcoholic beverages, tremendous growth was witnessed in the beer segment in the past few years. Beers are primarily sold in bottles, thus driving the production rates of the glass packaging industry. The increasing demand for alcoholic drinks also accelerates the rates. Emerging countries like China, India, and Thailand are showing higher quality perception of beer.
• Returnable glass bottles are also an effective way for companies to deliver the products. They are highly cost-effective and eco-friendly. They are mainly used in the non-alcoholic beverage industry. More than 70% of mineral water bottles use plastic as their packaging material. However, the water bottle-packaging segment will likely convert its packaging material to glass due to environmental concerns.
• The logistics aspect of the liquor packaged in glass bottles is challenging the growth. Glass is comparatively more cumbersome and prone to breakage during transport, increasing the chances of goods loss. However, vendors are innovating the packaging of glass bottles. For instance, Nakpack provides systems specific to wine glass bottle packaging, allowing a single model of packaging to be used with various bottle types and formats.
• Many liquor manufacturers are becoming conscious of recycled materials in their packaging and increasing the percentage of recycled glass used in their bottles. For instance, Absolut vowed to minimize the packaging waste by launching a limited-edition design made from 41% recycled glass.

• Over the last few decades, glass has been one of the prominent containers used to store medicines. They are also primarily used to store beverages and food. They offer a few advantages over other containers, like strength, durability, and the ability to preserve the flavor, quality, and taste.
• Glass packaging is 100% recyclable, making it a desirable packaging option from a health and environmental point of view. A recent innovation of effective recycling is driving the market. Newer recycling and production methods are boosting the development of the glass industry. Lightweight and thin-walled glass containers are trending in the market.
• Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks prominently use glass packaging, as glass does not react with any chemical present in the drink. It preserves the flavor, strength, and aroma of the product.
• Alcohol consumption in China has been significantly increasing over the years. As per Brazil-based bank Banco do Nordeste, consumption of alcoholic beverages in China will reach 54.12 billion liters by 2021. Many alcoholic beverage companies seek to expand in the country to seize the growth opportunity.
• The pharmaceutical and healthcare sector in China is one of the largest markets in the world, mainly driven by its aging population. Due to the recent regulatory changes in the country, foreign pharmaceutical companies are facing difficulties in conducting business, especially when it comes to market entry and price control. Hence, there is a potential growth opportunity for the domestic players as they may experience an increase in demand for glass bottles and containers from these companies.

The Asia-Pacific glass packaging market is moderately fragmented. Major players like Amcor, AptarGroup, Bemis, Piramal Glass Company, MTS Medication Technologies, and Sonoco Products Company are up-scaling the market with substantial R&D investments toward sustainability and digitization of the packaging industry in Asia-Pacific.

• June 2021 - Amcor launched an enhanced heat-seal coating glass packaging solution for medical-grade packaging applications. This technology delivers enhanced performance features for healthcare applications. It will be produced in multiple locations worldwide to offer customers increased flexibility.
• January 2020 - Gerresheimer announced the expansion of its production output in Asia. The company has over 35 sites in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, making specialty packaging from glass and plastic. In December 2019, the company opened two more plants in China and India.

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