According to results of a poll of its members carried out by the European Bioplastics Association, ‘green’ investments are the best way to beat the crisis. The bulk of companies questioned reported healthy growth figures for 2009 – in some cases more than 5% up on the previous year.
In May, 38 companies, among them many world leaders in polymer manufacture, revealed how they fared in 2009, and voiced their expectations for the current year and 2011: 47% of companies recorded growth in turnover, while another 32% managed to at least draw level; and only 10% posted losses. Companies see a positive trend overall, for both this year and 2011, with 80% saying they were ‘optimistic’ about the future. On the back of this, two-thirds of the companies polled will be increasing their investment in the sector this year.
But how do consumers view ‘green’ claims, and do their purchases bear out research company Datamonitor’s findings that over half of consumers globally said that protecting the environment is significantly more important to them now than two years ago? Apparently, the answer is ‘yes’ when it comes to packaging, but more often ‘no’ when it comes to other ‘ethical’ or ‘green’ claims.
Datamonitor’s report Offering Ethicality and Sustainability in Food and Drinks shows that although 57% of consumers thought it is important to buy ethical or socially responsible products, only 42% said they had altered their habits to do so. David Bone, lead Consumer Insights Analyst of Datamonitor, said: “The internet has made all consumers into investigative journalists and a product must stand up to scrutiny across all ethical tests – from environmental impact and healthy ingredients, through to animal welfare and sustainable sourcing – if they are to be considered an ethical purchase.”
However, when it comes to packaging, the buying public apparently finds it easier to make ‘green’ choices and is doing so more and more.
Maureen Byrne
Editor
Maureen Byrne
