Increasing energy costs, natural disasters and rising imports from China are just a few of the factors flattening the U.S. paperboard box and container market supply, according to a new market research report from Specialists in Business Information (SBI), a division of MarketResearch.com.
At $42 billion in 2005, Paperboard Boxes/Containers in the U.S. projects that market supply will continue to see only minimal annual increases in value, reaching $45 billion in 2010. End-use sectors such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and especially electronics, where demand for paperboard packaging applications will continue to increase, remain strong market drivers.
Not surprisingly, corrugated and solid fiber boxes continue to make up the lion's share of the market. Positive economic conditions, such as increased consumer spending and increased GDP in 2004, helped breathe life into this sector as well as the folding paperboard boxes and fiber cans and drums sectors.
Still, U.S. manufacturers face an increasing threat from China. Government initiatives to implement industrial policies designed to expand domestic manufacturing capacity and dominate global supply of paperboard products could eat into U.S. market share as end users turn to more cost-effective Chinese imports.
"2005 imports grew by 11.5% over 2004 and China is already eating into Canada's dominance as the #1 exporter to the U.S.," notes Tatjana Meerman, managing editor of SBI. "However, recycling, increased home delivery of internet purchases, and growth in healthcare and pharmaceutical packaging, among others, are positively stimulating internal U.S. growth and helping to keep the threat of rising imports from China at bay."
Containing comprehensive data on U.S. shipments, imports and exports, end- use markets, purchaser demographics, and the competitive environment, Paperboard Boxes/Containers in the U.S. takes an in-depth look at the market supply for corrugated and solid fiber boxes; folding solid paperboard boxes; setup paperboard; and non-folding sanitary food containers. The report identifies regulations and trends affecting the marketplace, and profiles major marketers along with manufacturer and retailer strategies. Priced at $3,000, the report is available from SBI.
Source: Specialists in Business Information
