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caps and closures | Markets


rather complex as detailed design features depend on the end use application. Some types, such as screw top caps, may be used across all


applications but with different custom


designs, diameters and mechanical properties. The plastic closures market in Europe can be broadly segmented into two main areas:


Dispensing closures is a key area of growth. These samples use Milliken’s PP clarifi ers to enhance visual appeal


 Standard beverage closures – standardised caps for PET and glass bottles which are produced to an industry standard neck fi nish;  Custom closures – proprietary designs for diverse beverage, food and non-food applications and host packaging formats. Based on 2010 production data, the 220bn unit


European closure market can be split into 47% standard and 53% custom closures. Standard caps are generally associated with the beverage segment, where their share is far more dominant. The economic pressures Europe has faced since the


2008 downturn has seen an increased focus on closure weight reduction, cycle time improvement and energy saving. In the standard caps sector, this has resulted in a move from commodity resins to more innovative alternatives with optimised mechanical performance. HDPE and PP block co-polymer products are driving a shift from two-piece PP to single-piece HDPE caps. Single-piece standard beverage caps have seen their


European market penetration grow from 64% in 2007 to 73% in 2007. Continuing cost pressures will likely see a complete conversion to single-piece designs in the standard beverage sector within the next seven years. Closure manufactures will often attempt to tailor their portfolio to accommodate both standard and


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custom solutions, taking into account the variables of proprietary designs, key account strategy, business risk management, and profi tability. The benefi ts for a closure producer of a portfolio


focused on standard caps include higher production speed and effi ciency, fl exibility of production and sales plans, reduction in business risk due to a wide spread of customers, and a relatively good return in an optimised production environment. On the other hand, a custom- ised closure production focus can ensure longer term cooperation with customers, which reduces repeat business risk and facilitates better development planning. In addition, a focus on added value closure production may bring improved fi nancial returns. Looking at the future demand for plastic closures by type, it is crucial to consider the end use categories in which certain closures are used. In general terms, for instance, standard beverage caps are the highest in unit volume, followed by screw top caps. While the expected growth in such markets is modest, even small growth in categories of such great market magnitude can constitute signifi cant volume development and material and equipment demand.


About the author: Martyna Zimakiewicz is packaging consultant within AMI Consulting and author of the company’s latest Plastics Caps and Closures in Europe study. To fi nd out more about the study and AMI’s consulting services in the caps and closures sector, email her at mz@amiplastics.com AMI has also launched a new conference, Plastic


Closure Innovations, which takes place in Cologne, Germany, from 23-25 April 2013. Taking a detailed look at market developments and technical innovations in both the beverage and non-beverage sectors, this conference is set to be the learning and networking event for the European caps and closure markets. For more information and to book your place, contact Rocio Martinez: rmm@amiplastics.com


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