Did you know: Demand for U.S. Bulk Packaging

The demand in the U.S. for bulk packaging will reach $6.6 billion in 2011, according to a recent study from The Freedonia Group, Inc.
(www.freedoniagroup.com). The report says advances will be aided by growth in manufacturing activity, along with a shift in the product mix toward larger, higher-value containers offering enhanced performance and cost economies. Demand will be tempered by declines in the manufacturing sector as a component of total U.S. economic activity, as basic manufacturing in many industries shifts to developing countries that offer lower-cost production. Rigid intermediate bulk containers (RIBCs) will log the fastest growth, the report points out, fueled by cost and performance advantages compared with smaller, single-trip or shorter-life alternatives.

Material handling container demand will rise favorably, spurred by expanded use of returnable and reusable containers. Advances will benefit from greater use of plastic crates in the agricultural sector for the storage and handling of seeds and grain. Drum demand will drop, the result of maturity of steel and fiber drums and competition from rigid and flexible IBCs. The entire study is available for $,4,500 from Freedonia at 440/684-9600.