European Aluminium Foil Association e.V.
Total Alufoil deliveries stay positive at Q3 despite weaker demand
Edited by : AL CIRCLE
2 min read
Overall Year To Date (YTD) deliveries from Europe’s aluminium foil manufacturers stayed ahead of
comparative figures for 2012, despite a weakening in demand through the summer. At 639,100 tonnes
the totals are 0.8% higher than for the same 9 month period last year.
Demand for thinner foils, used largely for flexible packaging and household foils, has been continuously positive throughout 2013 and once again performed well in a sluggish summer market. Figures were 0.6% ahead in Q3 compared with 2012. But thicker foils, used typically for semi-rigid containers and technical applications, continue to struggle, with deliveries falling by 1.3% against the same three month period a year ago. Total alufoil deliveries in Q3 were 1.6% down at 207,300 tonnes.
In addition the figures were affected by slower demand in overseas markets which have been experiencing strong growth in the previous 6 months. Deliveries for trade outside the European area fell by 5.1%*. Although, taken as a whole, the first nine months of 2013 has seen good performance in exports.
YTD figures for thinner foils are still 1.5% above 2012, while deliveries of thicker gauges are down, by 1%. Exports remain 1.5% above the levels achieved last year.
“Until there is a sustained recovery in European markets we will continue to see these figures fluctuate,” said EAFA’s Executive Director Stefan Glimm, “We are still maintaining a cautious, but optimistic, outlook for the whole of 2013.”
“Some recovery was experienced in both export markets and Europe during September. So we believe these figures are just another ‘bump’, which we have been experiencing for several quarters. Our members are becoming used to these ups and downs and take a longer, and positive, view of the market prospects,” he added.
Europe is still experiencing a very slow recovery and as demand for thicker foils relies on technical applications and construction, as well as packaging, volumes continue to be lower.
Aluminium foil characteristics are strength, formability and barrier properties which have made it an essential part of many flexible packaging and container applications. Other uses of aluminium foil include automotive and heat exchange components, insulation material and many industrial applications.
Demand for thinner foils, used largely for flexible packaging and household foils, has been continuously positive throughout 2013 and once again performed well in a sluggish summer market. Figures were 0.6% ahead in Q3 compared with 2012. But thicker foils, used typically for semi-rigid containers and technical applications, continue to struggle, with deliveries falling by 1.3% against the same three month period a year ago. Total alufoil deliveries in Q3 were 1.6% down at 207,300 tonnes.
In addition the figures were affected by slower demand in overseas markets which have been experiencing strong growth in the previous 6 months. Deliveries for trade outside the European area fell by 5.1%*. Although, taken as a whole, the first nine months of 2013 has seen good performance in exports.
YTD figures for thinner foils are still 1.5% above 2012, while deliveries of thicker gauges are down, by 1%. Exports remain 1.5% above the levels achieved last year.
“Until there is a sustained recovery in European markets we will continue to see these figures fluctuate,” said EAFA’s Executive Director Stefan Glimm, “We are still maintaining a cautious, but optimistic, outlook for the whole of 2013.”
“Some recovery was experienced in both export markets and Europe during September. So we believe these figures are just another ‘bump’, which we have been experiencing for several quarters. Our members are becoming used to these ups and downs and take a longer, and positive, view of the market prospects,” he added.
Europe is still experiencing a very slow recovery and as demand for thicker foils relies on technical applications and construction, as well as packaging, volumes continue to be lower.
Aluminium foil characteristics are strength, formability and barrier properties which have made it an essential part of many flexible packaging and container applications. Other uses of aluminium foil include automotive and heat exchange components, insulation material and many industrial applications.
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