EAFA optimistic for aluminum foil market in 2012

- Declining first half figures hide improved alufoil performance in the second quarter

 

- Indications of more steady demand from inside Europe, as well growing export volumes

 

The European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA) is confident that production levels in 2012 will match that of 2011, after signs of recovery in the second quarter.

 

EAFA said European manufacturers of aluminum foil delivered 411,500 tonnes in total in the first half of the year. This equated to a two percent decline against 2011. Total production volumes were also down versus the first six months of 2011.

 

It said thinner gauges primarily for flexible packaging and household foil were down two percent, with thicker gauges, like those used for semi-rigid containers and technical applications, fell eight percent.

 

A boost came in the form of a 10 percent growth in exports, which EAFA said showed a recovery in demand from emerging markets and others outside Europe.

 

EAFA said the overall first half figures hide improved performance in the second quarter, with deliveries in that period above the 2011 level.

 

This, it said, indicates more steady demand from inside Europe.

 

Stefan Grimm (pictured, top), EAFA executive director, said: ‘The outlook for alufoil production in 2012 is optimistic for the third and fourth quarters.

 

‘We are confident that total production for the whole year will match results from last year.

 

‘The second quarter results were very encouraging after a period of negative figures.

 

‘There is an increasing demand for short-term deliveries, rather than longer term ordering, which can affect these results.’

 

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