Alexander Baumgartner, CEO of Constantia Flexibles, was unanimously elected as chairman of the Flexible Packaging Europe during the organization’s summer conference in Amsterdam. Baumgartner reaffirmed FPE’s objective to be a voice for the industry which is dedicated to food safety, food waste reduction and sustainability after his election.
“I am very honoured to have been elected to lead FPE forward in its next phase of development, especially in these defining times for the packaging sector. It is vitally important that we come together to innovate and work on all the important topics, such as recyclability, resource efficiency, sustainability, food waste and food safety. It is important that, as an industry, we speak with one voice and implement change,” the new chairman said.
Baumgartner succeeded Gérard Blatrix of Amcor who served two terms and contributed towards the growth of flexible packaging industry across Europe.
According to a market study by Wood Mackenzie Chemicals, flexible packaging consumption in Europe grew by 2%, to reach nearly €14.5bn in 2018.
Europe’s flexible packaging production crossed €15.6bn in 2018, of which 78% was accounted for from Western Europe, with 22% coming from Eastern Europe. The region remains the key exporter with approximately 10% of its production consumed outside Europe. Global consumption of flexible packaging is expected to reach US$113bn (€100 billion) by 2023, while Europe sales are likely to reach €16bn.
Flexible Packaging is produced from a wide variety of layered materials including plastic films, paper and aluminium foil mainly for primary retail food packaging and non-food packaging applications. Flexible Packaging Europe’s (FPE) comprises more than SME’s as well as the major European producers of flexible packaging for all materials.
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