The European paper and board packaging sector suffered during the second half of the 1990s due to raw material cost pressures, capacity versus demand problems, environmental issues and the influence of legislation. In 2000, however, the situation improved and forecasts for the industry look brighter still, assuming that there is no dramatic US-led, global or developed nations economic downturn during the next five years. Indeed, the value of paper and board packaging consumption is expected to increase by more than 19% to 2005, according to research carried out by Pira International in European Packaging: Trends and Strategic Forecasts to 2005. Growth will be particularly strong in Ireland, Greece, Belgium, Denmark, Hungary and Italy, the report predicts. It also points out that there will nevertheless be an ongoing shake-out among companies in the industry, although the continuing importance of paper and board as a packaging material is confirmed.
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