Growth in UK Aerosol Sector for 4th Successive Year

17 April 2015


17 April 2015

Growth in UK Aerosol Sector for 4th Successive Year

The UK aerosol sector has grown for the fourth year running, according to figures released today by the British Aerosol Manufacturers' Association (BAMA). The annual UK filling figures show an overall increase of 3% for 2014 compared with the previous year.

In total, UK producers filled 1509.7 million cans last year, with aerosols produced for both the UK and overseas markets. The leading category, Personal Care, is particularly robust with some of the highest percentage growth figures. The Industrial category has also increased.

Personal Care

The largest growth in a single personal care product category came from suntan and bronzing products with an increase of 16% year on year (y.o.y.), albeit from a relatively small base. In 2013, 2.2 million suntan and bronzing product cans were filled, increasing to 2.5 million in 2014.

Hairspray products remain very buoyant with 10% y.o.y. growth to 97.8 million cans filled, some of which is probably accounted for by export demand for dry shampoos.

The largest single aerosol segment, deodorants, anti-perspirants & body sprays, is also a strong category showing a 7% y.o.y. growth, up from 705 million in 2013 to 754.8 million last year.

What BAMA refers to as 'other personal care' increased by over a quarter. This category is a catch-all for personal insect repellents, shower gels, hand lotions, talcs, depilatories and feminine care products. It benefited from 29% growth, rising from 11.6 million cans filled in 2013 to 14.9 million last year.

Two personal care categories, however, showed notable decline for 2014. Colognes & perfumes in aerosol format declined by -16% compared with the previous year. Shaving products, which remains a significant category with 190.9 million cans filled, fell by -5%, possibly reflecting the current male fashion for facial hair in favour of the clean-shaven look.

Household aerosol products

The biggest percentage growth in household products came from insecticides with approaching a doubling of fillings in the UK. Insecticides grew by 47% to 6.2 million cans last year compared with only 4.2 million cans produced in 2013.

Shoe & leather cleaners proved highly resilient with a 137% year on year change to reach 3.8 million cans, the biggest fillings seen for this category.

As with much of the data, the increase indicates possible movement in patterns of production with a return to the UK rather than an upswing in consumer usage patterns.

'Other household products' (including cleaning products not already cited plus DIY goods) rose by a modest 1% y.o.y. to a total of 77.3 million cans.

Some areas within the household sector were less resilient. Air fresheners, whilst remaining a significant category at 184.7 million cans, nonetheless fell by -2%. However, this should be viewed in the wider context of this remaining a highly successful product category compared with 4 years ago. Air freshening products remain popular, with BAMA reporting that this slight decline may be due to consumers choosing other formats including plug-in products.

Waxes and polishes fell by -11% to 22.4 million and oven cleaners also declined by -2%. Starches were dramatically down in production terms, with a fall of -39%, down from 5.3 million in 2013 to 3.2 million cans in 2014.

Other categories - Vet/pet and Industrial

Veterinary & pet care showed strong growth, up 16% to 3 million cans. Industrial aerosols ended on a high with 12% growth up from 34.4 million cans filled in 2013 to 38.4 million last year, continuing the steady growth trend for industrial aerosol products experienced in the UK since 2011.

Overview

Dr John Morris, Chief Executive of BAMA, said: "For the fourth successive year the UK aerosol sector has grown. In 2011 we saw a 9% y.o.y. increase; in 2012 a 5% increase; 2013 saw a modest 0.1% overall gain; and now we are seeing a 3% rise in 2014.

"The aerosol sector makes an important contribution to British manufacturing and export successes. Importantly, the industry's focus not only on growth but on continuous and close attention to safety and sustainability mean that brand owners are keen to embrace the aerosol format. Our work, along with other organisations, to ensure that aerosols are recyclable, means that consumers as well as manufacturers, retailers and packaging decision makers see the format as highly sustainable and convenient to use".

The UK remains the third largest filler in the world after the USA and China.



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