U.S Demand for Green Packaging to Approach $44 Billion in 2013

In her article entitled "U.S Demand for Packaging to Approach $44 Billion in 2013", Corinne Gangloff discusses the expected U.S market trend for green packaging which is comprised of:

1. Recycled
2. Biodegradable
3. Reusable Products

The demand is projected to increase 3.4% annually to $43.9 billion in 2013 utilizing 59 billion pounds of material.The fastest gains are anticipated for biodegradable plastic packaging and plastic recycled content packaging.

Biodegradable plastic packaging is expected to climb 13% per year through 2013 due to increased:

• Price competitiveness
• Rapidly expanding capacity
• Lower pricing volatility
• Enhanced performance properties
• Efforts by brand owners to improve the environmental footprint
• Legislative bans on polystyrene foam food service disposables.

Although growth for recycled content packaging is expected to increase along with overall green packaging, it is somewhat hindered by the fact that corrugated and paperboard materials continue to dominate.

The reusable sector of green packaging is expected to expand at a slower rate due to the competition faced from intermediate bulk containers, however the relatively long service life of most reusable packaging also limits the need for replacements, a factor that restricts growth in demand for new units.

Although the most rapid growth is expected to come from biodegradable plastic and recycled plastic, growth for overall green packaging is expected to increase.