Market Trends of Global Metal Print Packaging Industry
Offset Lithography is Expected to Record Significant Growth
- Offset lithography has solidified its position as the dominant method in packaging printing. It is popular for delivering high-quality prints in bulk with minimal upkeep. This efficiency has made it especially favored in developed regions, notably Europe and North America. In these areas, offset lithography is predominantly employed for printing on metal cans, a choice largely influenced by the material's hard and non-absorbent nature.
- Market leaders, such as Crown Holdings Inc., harness offset printing for both 2-piece and 3-piece metal packaging. The process involves transferring ink from a printing plate to a blanket and subsequently applying it to the metal surface. Notably, while 2-piece cans are printed post-formation, 3-piece cans are printed on sheets beforehand. Crown Food Europe caters to a variety of clients in the snacks industry, producing 100% recyclable metal containers for Bier Nuts’ crunchy, coated peanuts and delivering print packaging for Satisfied Snacks’ Salad Crisp concept in metal tins.
- Despite its reputation for high-quality output, offset printing faces stiff competition from cutting-edge methods like rotogravure and photogravure. Additionally, the anodized aluminum printing plates, susceptible to rust from oxidation, demand careful maintenance. Such challenges could hinder the expansion of the segment.
- Companies like Metal-Print, specializing in high-quality protective lacquering and vibrant lithography on tinplate or aluminum sheets, address a wide array of metal packaging demands. Metal-Print’s offerings span from food and beverage cans to chemical containers and decorative tins. A prominent trend is the organic food industry’s preference for lightweight metal cans, lauded for their excellent barrier properties and eco-friendliness.
- According to a report by the Organic Trade Association, the US organic packaged food market witnessed significant growth. The consumption value was USD 18,441.8 million in 2019, which is expected to increase to USD 25,060.4 million by 2025. This increase in demand for organic packaged food is poised to boost the reliance on offset printing in the food packaging industry.
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Asia-Pacific to Witness Significant Growth
- Asia-Pacific commands a significant share of the global metal printing packaging market, primarily due to manufacturers' emphasis on cost-effective packaging solutions. While mature markets in established nations see the digital printing packaging market plateauing, China and India are gearing up for vigorous expansion in the coming seven to eight years. Bolstered by a surge in e-retail sales and a growing appetite for convenient food packaging, the region is on track to experience the most pronounced growth during the forecast period.
- Key factors driving the metal print packaging market in Asia-Pacific include rising sales of packaged foods (encompassing frozen and chilled items), growing disposable incomes, shifting lifestyles, consistent economic growth, and an uptick in beverage consumption, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
- Beer packaging predominantly favors metal cans, attributed to their superior ability to preserve taste. Projections from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada indicate a leap in India's beer consumption from 1.63 billion liters in 2020 to a staggering 3.4 billion liters by 2025. This is expected to increase the demand for printed metal cans.
- With digital printing technology automating the entire printing process, 3D printing is emerging as the next frontier. Countries like Japan, India, China, and Vietnam are witnessing a surge driven by advancements in digital printing technologies. Notably, Mitsubishi Electric recently launched two new AZ600 digital wire-laser metal 3D printer models.
- Asia-Pacific countries have ramped up their efforts on efficient metalworking techniques in recent years, aiming to slash CO2 emissions in the metal fabrication industry. This pivot seeks to curtail energy consumption and safeguard dwindling natural resources. Consequently, there is an anticipated uptick in demand for metal 3D printers, which can craft objects from 3D shape data. These printers not only significantly expedite traditional manufacturing processes but also minimize waste and boost design flexibility, allowing the integration of multiple parts and a reduction in overall weight.
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