Recent data from the European Tube Manufacturers Association (ETMA) reveals that the tube manufacturing industry in Europe experienced a bleak performance in the first half of 2025.
Consequently, the effects are being felt in the global deliveries of aluminium, laminates, and plastic tubes. Not only is there a sharp decline of 3.9 per cent in global deliveries, but it also indicates a total decline in units compared to the same period in 2024.
Aluminium tube deliveries hit by pharmaceutical decline
Due to the production issues, deliveries of aluminium tubes fell by 4.8 per cent, amounting to almost 2 billion units. However, the demands from the food sector have been steady so far, and the cosmetics industry offered a modest increase; a significant decline in the pharmaceutical segment marked a massive drop. The manufacturing of the tubes has always been highly reliant on the pharmaceutical demands, and the production drop also slows down healthcare packaging.
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Laminate tubes buck the trend with solid growth
Laminate tube deliveries rose 3.6 per cent year-on-year to about 2.36 billion units, driven by stronger demand in toothpaste and pharmaceutical packaging. This increase, however, highlights the segment’s strength and adaptability in a super-competitive market.
Recycling and trade pressures weigh on the sector
The industry prioritises sustainability through post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, but limited supply and new 50 per cent U.S. aluminium tariffs hinder progress and add trade uncertainty.
Despite these headwinds, ETMA President Zoran Joksic expressed confidence in the sector’s long-term outlook. “The first half of 2025 has shown once again that our industry is both challenged and resilient. Despite weaker demand in some key markets, particularly pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, we continue to see growth impulses in other sectors and tube types,” Joksic observed.
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