One-Third of All Packaging Materials to be Eco-Friendly by 2014, Forecasts Pike Research

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Tue May 19, 2009 5:00am EDT

BOULDER, Colo.--(Business Wire)--
In the industrialized world, packaging for all types of products has become both
necessary and truly ubiquitous.As more people become "modern consumers" around
the world, it is an increasing burden on producers, individuals, and the
environment.According to a new study from Pike Research, sustainable packaging
is a fast-growing segment of the global packaging industry, and will grow to 32%
of the total market by 2014, up from just 21% in 2009.

"The $429 billion global packaging industry is huge but extremely fragmented,
with no clear market leaders," says managing director Clint Wheelock."As such,
the move toward sustainable packaging represents a broad-based effort by
manufacturers, retailers, industry groups, and governments to promote the design
of minimal packaging that can be easily reclaimed.A tremendous amount of
innovation is going into reducing energy requirements to manufacture packaging
and using more recyclable and compostable materials, but there is still a long
way to go."

The cleantech market intelligence firm forecasts that plastic-based packaging,
which represents 35% of all materials used, will be the fastest-growing sector
of the sustainable packaging market over the next five years.Metal-based
packaging, one of the easiest materials to recycle, will continue to be the
sector with the highest percentage of sustainability - by 2014, more than 63% of
metal-based packaging will be environmentally friendly.

Pike Research`s study, "Sustainable Packaging", assesses the current market
conditions for packaging and outlines the future opportunities to create more
environmentally responsible, sustainable, and eco-friendly packaging
processes.The report examines key market drivers and challenges in various
industries around the world and includes detailed five-year forecasts for the
total packaging market as well as the sustainable packaging sector, segmented by
packaging material categories and world regions.An Executive Summary of the
report is available for free download on Pike Research`s website.

Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth
analysis of global clean technology markets.The company`s research methodology
combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand
assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive
view of the Renewable Energy, Clean Transportation, Clean Industry, Green
Consumers, and Environmental Management sectors.For more information, visit
www.pikeresearch.com or call +1.303.997.7609.



Pike Research
Clint Wheelock, +1-303-997-7609
press@pikeresearch.com



Copyright Business Wire 2009

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