Etma records 1% drop in deliveries in the first half of 2024

The European pipe market was somewhat weaker in the first half of 2024. The European Tube Manufacturers Association (etma) reported a 1% decrease in deliveries, reaching a total volume of approximately six billion units.

The three types of pipes showed different developments. While demand for aluminum and plastic tubes fell by around 2%, deliveries of rolled tubes increased by almost 2%. As for the individual markets, deliveries to the dental care, household and food sectors increased, while demand from the higher-volume pharmaceutical and cosmetics sectors decreased.

“Overall, pipe producers quickly adapted to the slight drop in demand in the first half of 2024 and are satisfied with steady average growth over a three-year period. We have therefore returned to a certain degree of normality,” said etma president Zoran Joksic.

Etma assures that supply chains in the industry have stabilized again. The availability of raw materials has improved significantly. However, given the tight supply situation, there remains strong competition for high-quality recycled materials to meet customer demands for higher recycled content in packaging.

“For plastic packaging in particular, we need a major push for mechanical recycling facilities across Europe, a de-stigmatization of chemical recycling for complex compounds and predictable policy guidelines so that the necessary investments in recycling capacities can be made and the supply gap closed,” said Joksic.

While the situation in the commodity and energy markets has improved, labor costs and the availability of skilled workers remain a challenge. Inflation is declining, but consumer spending sentiment remains subdued despite increased purchasing power.

“The multiple crises around the world are encouraging European consumers to remain cautious, although the packaging industry has always proven to be very resilient in times of crisis in the past. The current situation is not affecting the strategy of tube manufacturers, who are expecting new growth by 2025,” concluded Joksic