Bright start to 2014 for alufoil deliveries in Europe and abroad

Deliveries of both thin and thicker gauges of aluminium foil have made a bright start in the first quarter of 2014, according to figures released recently by EAFA, the European Aluminium Foil Association. In particular exports from Europe recorded an excellent increase compared with the same period in 2013. Overall alufoil production during the first quarter reached 219,000 tonnes (2013: 208,000t), an increase of 5.5%. After a slowdown through most of last year there was a welcome return to growth for thicker gauges, used typically for semi-rigid containers and technical applications, which saw a 10% improvement compared with the first three months of 2013. Thinner gauges, used mainly for flexible packaging and household foils, added 3.3% to continue the steady recovery seen for most of last year. Inside Europe* the still slow, but improving, economic situation led to a 2.2% increase in production to 193,000 tonnes. Markets outside Europe, where economic activity is increasing sharply, accounted for shipments 26,000 tonnes (2013: 19,000t).

EAFA’s Executive Director Stefan Glimm was very encouraged about the latest results. “This is a highly pleasing set of figures following the challenging year just ended. The very welcome increase in deliveries of thicker gauges indicates that the sectors served by these products may be stabilising, after a prolonged period of uncertainty.”

“The outlook is increasingly optimistic and every quarter of growth gives us more confidence in the recovery,” he added. “But some markets are still fragile so we remain vigilant and have grown accustomed to responding quickly to changes in order to meet customers’ requirements.”