Market Trends of Belgium Container Glass Industry
Beverage Sector to Drive the Market Growth
- Belgium's food and beverage industry is renowned for its high-quality offerings. Even after Brexit, Belgian food and drinks have thrived in the United Kingdom and outpaced products from neighbouring nations. This success has positively impacted the Belgium Container Glass Market, as the demand for premium packaging solutions has surged to meet the growing export needs.
- The new restrictions on selling alcohol and tobacco products in Belgium, proposed by Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke, may seem like they would negatively impact specific industries. From 2023 to 2025, legislation plays a pivotal role in strategies designed to eradicate harmful alcohol consumption.
- With alcohol restrictions, consumers may turn to non-alcoholic beverages, such as mocktails, juices, sparkling water, or other healthy drink alternatives. These products, particularly premium non-alcoholic drinks, are often packaged in glass for aesthetic and preservation purposes. As demand for non-alcoholic beverages rises, it could boost demand for glass containers.
- As consumers become more health-conscious, the demand for low-alcohol, alcohol-free, and health-oriented beverages has surged. This trend encompasses functional drinks, juices, and beverages enriched with nutritional benefits. Also, beverages, especially spirits, wine, and vinegar, are commonly packaged in glass containers due to their durability, ability to preserve taste and quality, and premium appeal.
- The substantial rise in exports of these products will directly increase the demand for glass containers. As beverage producers scale up their exports to meet international demand, they will rely more on high-quality glass packaging to maintain the integrity of their products, driving growth in the container glass market. According to UN Comtrade, the value generated from the export of beverages, spirits, and vinegar in Belgium increased in 2023 and reached USD 5.32 billion, which was USD 3.79 billion in 2018.
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Pharmaceutical Segment to Expand Significantly
- Belgium is among the critical parts of the pharmaceutical industry in the European Union, owing to the presence of many active pharmaceutical companies. Moreover, the local business environment has repositioned itself as a global hub for pharmaceutical exports through its top-notch infrastructure.
- According to the International Trade Administration, Belgium is the world's fourth-largest pharmaceutical exporter, following Germany, Switzerland, and the United States. The country serves as a significant pharmaceutical manufacturing and transportation hub. Additionally, Belgium offers innovative United States companies valuable opportunities in research and development (R&D), biotechnology, and clinical trials.
- The increasing importance of Belgium as a hub for biotechnology and clinical trials means that more advanced and sensitive drug formulations will need packaging solutions that protect from environmental factors like light, oxygen, and moisture.
- Glass, exceptionally high-quality borosilicate glass, is ideal for these requirements, which will increase demand for specialized glass packaging. The complexity and value of the drugs being developed and exported heighten the need for packaging that guarantees long-term stability, further supporting glass container demand. According to pharma.be, the federation of the Belgian biopharmaceutical industry, research and development (R&D) investments in the Belgian pharmaceutical industry were around EUR 5.7 billion (USD 6.17 billion) in 2023, an increase of over 59% compared to 2018.
- As R&D investments in the pharmaceutical sector rise, new drugs and medical treatments are developed. Most pharmaceuticals, especially injectable medicines, vaccines, and liquid formulations, require high-quality, safe, and inert packaging. Glass is the material of choice for many of these products due to its non-reactive nature, ability to preserve the stability of medicines and superior protection against contamination. As the pharmaceutical industry expands, the demand for glass containers will also rise.
