Aluminum foil deliveries from European foil rollers reach record tonnage

Overall deliveries for the full 12-month period were at 886,300 tonnes, up from 874,900 tonnes in 2016. This figure was higher than pre-crisis levels for the second year running.

Thinner gauges, used mainly for flexible packaging and household foils, added 1.8 percent year-on-year, while thicker gauges, used typically for semi-rigid containers and technical applications, slightly increased by 0.3 percent. Total domestic deliveries were ahead by 0.6 percent in the period, while exports improved strongly, by 5.7 percent.

Aluminum foil characteristics are strength, formability and barrier properties which have made it an essential part of many flexible packaging and container applications. Other uses of aluminum foil include automotive and heat exchange components, insulation material and many industrial applications.

The final three months of 2017 saw deliveries to non-European markets increase by 37.2 percent, with domestic deliveries going down by 2.2 percent. After a buoyant 2016, demand for thicker gauges has climbed one percent, whereas deliveries of thinner gauges have gone up by 2.8 percent. At 214,800 tonnes in total, deliveries in the final quarter were 2.2 percent ahead.

EAFA is the international body representing companies engaged in the rolling and rewinding of aluminum foil and in the manufacture of aluminum closures, aluminum foil semi-rigid containers and of all kind of flexible packaging. Its more than 100 members include companies in Western, Central and Eastern Europe.

Bruno Rea, EAFA president and roller group chairman, commented: ‘These results indicate a satisfying full year 2017. High demand seems set to continue, both at home and abroad, meaning our members carefully forecast a positive outlook for 2018.

‘We are seeing an improvement in domestic markets, as well as some local structural supply issues in key overseas markets. These offer good opportunities for increasing output and sales from European suppliers.’