Global PET beer bottle consumption is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% to reach 7.7 billion bottles by 2015, according to a major new multi-client study published by Pira International.According to the study, PET beer bottle consumption totalled 6.0 billion units in 2010, which represents 2.0% of the 293 billion world beer packaging market volumes (633ml pack equivalents).
The Future of Beer in PET Packaging - a multi-client study for brewers, brand owners, packaging converters and suppliers provides quantitative market sizes segmented by barrier technology, bottle size, region and country. Based on extensive primary research across the value chain and with consumers, the 152-page study also provides technology and market forecasts to 2015.
One of the main drivers will be market penetration into areas not suitable for glass, according to a major survey of brewers, brand owners and converters.
Central and Eastern Europe is the dominant market for PET beer bottles. Pira expects the region to show good growth for beer in PET going forward, but at rates lower than the 2003-08 pre-recession era. This is largely explained by growing market maturity and the imposition of higher taxes on beer in Russia and Ukraine.
In Asia-Pacific, China will lead demand for beer in PET, but here, PET beer bottle growth has been generally lower than was originally anticipated by market participants. Western Europe is forecast to grow PET beer bottle consumption at a relatively low rate. North America and South and Central America are forecast to show growth in PET beer bottle consumption during the period 2010-15, but from a very low base.
"PET is showing increased demand from a number of different categories including juices and nectars, ready-to-drink (RTD) teas, functional drinks, flavoured waters and beer. PET bottles are convenient, practical, lightweight and unbreakable," says Adam Page, Head of Editorial at Pira.
"However many brand owners remain reticent when it comes to using PET packaging for beer. Despite not taking off on a large scale in many traditional beer-drinking countries, there is still a huge amount of interest in the potential for beer in PET due to the perceived advantages. New technologies are helping challenge some negative perceptions and create opportunities for brewers, brand owners, packaging converters and suppliers."
