The US market for plastic containers is expected to grow by 4.3% per year to USD 30.4 bn in 2014, creating demand for 13.9 bn pounds of resin, according to Freedonia (Cleveland, Ohio / USA; www.freedoniagroup.com). Demand will be boosted by performance advantages over alternative types of packaging and by consumer preferences for single-serving containers for food and beverages, the market research company said in a new report.

The pace of growth will be slower than during 2004-2009 as a result of the maturing of several bottle markets and more moderate raw material price increases. However, measured in units, the growth in plastic containers will outpace growth in the amount of resin consumed as a result of rising demand for single-serving containers and reductions in container weight.

Plastic bottles and jars represented 78% of plastic containers by weight and, measured in units, are expected to increase by 3.1% per year to 157 bn units by 2014. The food and pharmaceutical markets will experience faster unit growth, Freedonia noted. As the US economy recovers from the recession, an upswing in construction activity is expected to help boost demand for items packaged in plastic pails, such as paints, adhesives and driveway sealers, the report said.

PET and HDPE are the leading plastic container resins, accounting for a combined 85% of demand in 2009.