First half 2013 figures from Alufoil show that overall production of aluminium foil products reached 419,800 tonnes, a rise of 2.5% compared with the first six months of 2012.
According to the European Aluminium Foil Association (Alufoil) generic body, exports among its membership area “maintained momentum”, increasing by 3.2% in the second quarter of 2013, helping first half sales outside the European market to an “impressive” 6.6% rise.
EAFA reports “cautious optimism” among its members, with EAFA vice-president and roller group chairman, Manfred Mertens, commenting: “While the outlook is still somewhat uncertain there are clear signs that the trend is upward, although there may still be some negative quarters in some areas, the ‘downs’ seem to be smaller and the ‘ups’ larger.”
Q2 results showed thinner gauges, used largely for flexible packaging and household foils, once again led the way with a rise of 2.3%.
Thicker gauges, used typically for semi-rigid containers and technical applications, dropped back by just 1.8%, indicating recovery is “more uneven” for these products.
Total deliveries, at 210,400t achieved a rise of 1.3% compared with Q2 2012.
Deliveries in the first six months of 2013 for thicker gauges remained positive at +0.3%, described as “encouraging sign”, and evidence that the thicker guage sector of the market is “finally stabilising after a lengthy period of declining demand”.
The European Aluminium Foil Association is the international body representing companies engaged in the rolling and rewinding of alufoil and in the manufacture of aluminium closures, alufoil semi-rigid containers and of all types of flexible packaging.
Its more than 100 members cover the region: Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the UK.
