The European aluminium foil sector showed a “stable but largely flat” market for the calendar year 2013, according to figures released by EAFA, the European Aluminium Foil Association.
Reporting final output figures for 2013 of 842,700 tonnes, 0.3% up on 2012 (840,600t), EAFA views the outlook for 2014 “optimistically”, with a general recovery in demand expected to gather pace both in Europe and overseas.
However Q4 2013 results show aluminium production declined by 3.3% to 199,800 tonnes compared with 2012 (206,700t).
“After such a strong start to 2013 it was a little disappointing that the trend did not continue through the rest of the year,” says Manfred Mertens, EAFA vice-president and Roller Group chairman.
“But the slower than expected economic recovery in Southern Europe and some of our key export markets held back demand, particularly for thicker gauges,” he explains.
Deliveries of thinner aluminium gauges, used largely for flexible packaging and household foils, remained “positive” throughout 2013, although the strong growth figures seen in the first half of the year did not carry on into the second.
The decline in demand for thicker gauges, used typically for semi-rigid containers and technical applications, continued into Q4, largely caused by “ongoing uncertainty in construction and technical markets and depressed demand from overseas”.
Mertens retains a positive outlook, though: “We see clear signs that the activity in 2014 is improving in all areas for both thin and thicker gauges,” he says.
“It should not be forgotten either that thinner gauge deliveries increased throughout 2013, despite the challenging market conditions.”
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