EAFA reports 2.3% increase in European aluminium foil deliveries in Q1 2021

According to figures released by the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA), aluminium foil deliveries from European foil rollers stood at 245,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 2.3% from 239,500 tonnes in 2020.

EAFA reported that domestic demand witnessed modest improvement, achieving 0.9% growth in the same period.

Thinner gauges output, used mainly for flexible packaging and household foils, increased by 4.2% as demand from ‘in home’ use and packaging remained strong, while thicker gauges decreased by 0.9%. Thicker gauges are used for semi-rigid containers, technical or other applications.

“Once again, the bright spot was in exports, which returned to double-digit growth once again, after a very mixed performance last year, with only one three-month period showing similar improvement. This indicates a return to expansion in many overseas economies as lockdowns ease,” EAFA reported.

Guido Aufdemkamp, Executive Director of EAFA said, “The general recovery, post COVID-19, we predicted at the end of 2020 seems to be underway. However, this differs in many parts of the world, so it is difficult to predict a clear path to improved demand in all the markets served by European aluminium foil rollers.”

“The packaging sector is certainly strong now and this major market for aluminium foil is forecasted to further increase this year. But supply chains continue to see disruptions either caused by limited raw material availability, global logistics or trade defence measures in place or expected.,” he added.

“Overall, this is an encouraging first quarter result and something to build on, meaning the European foil rollers are looking cautiously optimistic into the next quarters.”