Swedish packaging industry grows 1% faster than GDP

The association which has its HQ in Malmö, Sweden, has clusters in Europe, Asia and the US and provides a platform for people to meet and network with about 20 seminars a year including: ‘Please release me -​ From wrap rage to accessible design’ (February 26), Breakfast with Packbridge (March 24) and the Packbridge Research Forum (May 7).

Ruben Rausing, the founder of Tetra Pak

Members include Amcor, The China Packaging Federation, European Bioplastics, Wipak and Multivac.

Per-Stefan Gersbo, CEO, Packbridge, told FoodProductionDaily there are many complex challenges ahead and demands in the search for new ways of collaboration.

“The history of the Swedish packaging industry goes back to Ruben Rausing, the founder of Tetra Pak. He was a visionary for his time safely distributing milk to consumers but he couldn’t do it alone. It was a collaboration between Tetra Pak and Alfa Laval, for its processing knowledge on aseptic packaging. Now Tetra Laval Group​,” he said.

“Packbridge helps to connect people. We are bridge builders. We try to react to what members want to see happening within the packaging industry but many companies feel isolated​.

“We want this industry to grow and we need to develop packaging for a sustainable future. There are complexities in the logistics chain, global challenges, and companies are more competitive than ever. The issues are bigger than one company can solve. To make innovations happen we need to collaborate to build knowledge and know how in the industry​.”

Swedish krona grows 3.5% CAGR

In his report, ‘The Swedish Packaging Industry 2009-2013 an overview’, Felix Helander, market intelligence and packaging strategy, Packbridge said the Swedish krona has grown 3.5% CAGR over the last five years.

The most important material in the region is fibre carton board; it sells 55% of paper and board and not much plastic compared to the global average.

Plastics accounts for 18%; metal 9%; wood 8%; labels 3%; glass 2%; machinery 3% other 2%.

“There is a big difference between the small and larger companies in this industry, the big ones are growing faster than the smaller ones, and the packaging industry is growing 1% faster than GDP​,” he said.

“Packaging will add more value over time and trends are developing faster. Sweden saw the industry grow at a rate of 7.3% CAGR after the recession, which is a strong comeback, there are more exports and even though there is not the same polarization between large and small companies the bigger companies are hiring​.”

Packbridge arranges the Top Packaging Summit every year but this year it will be delayed due to Scanpack, in Gothenburg, Sweden, from October 20-23.