US demand for resin used in plastic containers is expected to reach 6.44m t, with the container market worth over USD 32 bn in 2016, according to a recent report “Plastic containers” from market researcher Freedonia (Cleveland, Ohio / USA; www.freedoniagroup.com).

Advances will be driven by performance advantages over metal, glass and paperboard alternatives across a range of applications and will be fuelled by preferences for small, single-serving containers in bottle markets such as water, carbonated soft drinks and milk; and in tub, cup and bowl markets such as yogurt, soup, fruit, coffee and condiments. However, the researcher says gains will be moderated by the maturity of a number of bottle markets, along with increased competition from flexible packaging in the tub, cup, bowl and tray markets.

Resin demand increases will trail unit gains due to lightweighting of bottles in many markets to hold down resin and shipping costs, and to enhance sustainability. Notable markets where significant lightweighting has been achieved include bottled water and liquid laundry detergent. The latter has also moved to more concentrated formulations that require smaller bottles.

Among major bottle and jar markets, the researcher anticipates the fastest gains in food and pharmaceutical applications. In pharmaceutical applications, growth for bottles and jars will be supported by higher pharmaceutical production. Plastic bottle demand in food applications will be driven by barrier property and processing improvements that will create improved opportunities for PET bottles in hot-fill applications and for HDPE and PET bottles in aseptic applications.

Demand for plastic buckets will be boosted by recoveries in residential, office and commercial construction from their low 2011 levels, which will increase demand for paints, adhesives, driveway sealers and other goods typically packaged in buckets. A rebound in the construction market will also stimulate demand for other plastic containers such as paint cans and plastic sealant cartridges.

Freedonia said PET and HDPE are by far the major resins for plastic containers, accounting for a combined 86% of demand in 2011. PET will see higher volume gains in uses such as food and pharmaceutical bottles, trays, tubs, cups and bowls. HDPE demand will rebound from declines from 2006 to 2011. However, gains will be restrained by declining per capita consumption of milk, the downsizing of detergent and bleach bottles, and competition from laundry detergents that are not packaged in bottles.