Finat Sees Stable Demand For European Labels In 2008
European demand for self-adhesive labels in 2008 will be 'stable, at best', according to industry association Finat.
In 2007, label sales rose by 4.3% to just over 5.5bn square metres, although the first quarter of 2008 was the first time in three years when growth did not exceed the previous period.
70% of demand was for paper rolls, but the trend towards non-paper labels continues, particularly in Eastern Europe.
Managing director Jules Lejeune said that Eastern Europe would continue to drive the sector, `not only due to manufacturing moving into the region, but also rising disposable incomes and increasing domestic demand`.
David Harrisson, Finat past president, told Packaging News the sector was `looking for new opportunities and market trends`.
`Self-adhesive labels are ideally suited to short runs and specialisation of packs,` he said.
Harrisson said the organisation was also looking to promote the sustainability of self-adhesive labels. `The labels themselves can be recycled with the pack, and we can also deal with the liners and matrix waste.`
However, he added that label firms also had to deal with rising substrate costs, particularly plastics.
