The packaging industry occupies a key place in the French economic and industrial landscape. Packaging manufacturers employ a total workforce of 97,163 in approximately 3,000 companies, of which 900 employ more than 20 people. In 2007 they generated a turnover of 21 billion according to the latest figures issued by SESSI (Department of industrial studies and statistics of the Ministry of Economy and Industry). With the addition of the 1.7 billion sales achieved by packaging equipment manufacturers, the estimated turnover totals 22.7 billion. According to the French customs data, French exports of packaging and packing machines confirm the industry dynamics with exports worth 502.6 million in 2007 (456 million in 2006). Imports reached 638.7 million (compared to 619.6 million in 2006) of which  180 million achieved by the 24 SECIMEP* member companies. The sector's trade balance however remains negative, although with a slight decline (- 136.1 million in 2007 against - 160.6 million in 2006).

The latest results of the Observatoire de l Emballage** show that, in spite of material prices and transport costs, industry professionals remain optimistic. Conducted in late August by the World Packaging Exhibition EMBALLAGE and partner associations, the survey findings confirm the industry's environmental concerns and the resulting new industrial prospects.

A few weeks ahead of the event that will attract more than 100,000 visitors and 2,200 exhibitors, EMBALLAGE 2008 provides you with a sneak preview of the industry's economic data and unveils the findings of the Observatoire de Emballage 2008 survey, a useful tool for predicting key trends.

* SECIMEP figures, Association of packaging and process equipment importers representing 24 member companies with a total workforce of 600.

**Observatoire de Emballage: A survey conducted in late August 2008 by EMBALLAGE in partnership with the sector's trade associations Survey sample: 248 buyers, 53 packaging manufacturers and 79 equipment manufacturers.

Investment forecasts remain stable
Despite a complex economic period, packaging manufacturers predict that their investments will remain stable (56.50%) for the period 2009-2011. Equipment manufacturers seem more confident, since 46.5% of them plan to increase their investments.

- exports keep steady

Export growth prospects are still on the rise although more moderate than in 2007: 1 buyer in 2 foresees that his exports will increase.

Packaging manufacturers are far more optimistic about the progress of their exports than equipment manufacturers whose export prospects drop from 52% to 23.5%.

Eastern Europe has taken the lead among high-growth export markets for buyers. Turkey is now considered as an export growth market by packaging manufacturers.

For 74.5% of French buyers, France remains the leading packaging supplier country. For packaging and equipment suppliers, Germany and Italy remain France's major rivals. China climbs in rankings.

An industry turning towards sustainable development
As in 2007, the survey results show that paper-cardboard ranks first in the breakdown of package purchases by materials before plastics (43% against 35% for plastics). These figures are in line with the turnover figures by materials released over the same period by CLIFE (Liaison committee of the French packaging industries)(source: CLIFE 2007 provisional data).

In the medium term (2009-2011), plastics however get the strongest prospects: 57% of responding buyers think they will purchase more plastics.

Attention should however be paid to the importance of biomaterials (a newcomer in the Observatoire survey): 57.5% of responding buyers intend to buy packages designed with biomaterials in the medium term. This trend is also illustrated by the fact that for 60% of buyers and 57% of packaging manufacturers sustainable development and eco-design remain key factors of innovation.

To address these major issues EMBALLAGE proposes for the first time an area dedicated to Biomaterials and a Sustainable Development area, where exhibitors will offer a comprehensive review of this booming industry.