German container glass market at a stable level in 2020
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Sales of container glass in tons fell slightly by 0.5 percent in 2020 compared with the same period of the previous year - the first time this has happened in years. Developments in Germany (minus 0.8 percent) and foreign sales (minus 0.1 percent) were slightly negative. Sales in the individual segments developed differently and were impacted by the ongoing Corona pandemic. On the one hand, there was an increased shift to the domestic sector, with consumers stockpiling and cooking more at home, while on the other hand, celebrations and events were down.
Sales of beverage bottles for non-alcoholic beverages on the rise
Sales in the non-alcoholic beverage bottle segment in 2020 showed a negative trend compared to the previous year, amounting to minus 3.0 percent. A look at the sub-segments shows a decline in sales in the beer and spirits (minus 3.3 percent) and wine and sparkling wine (minus 6.8 percent) segments. By contrast, non-alcoholic beverages (water, milk and juice) recorded sales growth of 9.8 percent. Corona-related restrictions and lockdowns led to slumps in the alcoholic beverage segments.
Sales of packaging glass for food stable
The segment of packaging glass for food and packaging glass for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics closed 2020 on a positive note, with sales volume growth of 4.8 percent. Demand in the cosmetics segment declined temporarily as a result of the Corona pandemic, while development in the pharmaceuticals segment was positive. The sub-segments developed differently: In the case of packaging glass for foodstuffs without OGS (fruit, vegetables and canned sauces), sales rose by 10.2 percent in 2020. The sub-segment of packaging glass with OGS closed the full year with a minus of 1.7 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
"The year 2020 was impacted by the Corona pandemic and affected the segments of the container glass industry differently. The past year has made many consumers more aware again that packaging has an important protective function, as it reliably protects food and beverages from environmental influences. Glass has the special property that it is practically inert and therefore does not allow any interaction between contents and packaging. It also optimally preserves various products so that they have a long shelf life. According to the ifo Institute, the economic outlook is seen by container glass manufacturers as largely unchanged; much depends on how the pandemic develops," comments Dr. Johann Overath, chief executive of Bundesverband Glasindustrie e.V.
