Bemis Dominates NAFTA’S $18.3 Billion Converted Flexible Packaging Industry

In value terms the North American Flexible Packaging Market grew by over 4 percent per annum between 2005 and 2008 but with the onset of the global financial crisis fell back by 6-7 percent in 2009. However, 2010 saw a strong recovery in the value of flexible packaging sales as the supply chain re-stocked and raw material prices were passed on through the supply chain. While the market has been volatile in value terms over the past few years flexible packaging demand in area / unit volume has shown continuing growth. Nevertheless, converter margins have been squeezed, which has resulted in a significant amount of rationalisation and plant closures.