Plastic packaging big in Japan

The plastic packaging industry in Japan is growing rapidly, with flexible and rigid plastic packaging demand set to increase by 6.9 billion packs between 2012 and 2017.

Japanese consumers place high importance on quality packaging, according to research firm Canadean. They are very engaged in product presentation and need to be convinced that packaging is flawless, particularly with regards to detail, colour and labelling.

According to Canadean Senior Analyst Ronan Stafford, this will “drive the wider use of plastic packaging and the development of more innovative plastic pack formats”.

The nation has seen a spike in the use of plastic packaging for items such as beauty, beverages, luxury cosmetics and health and beauty products. As these sectors grow, manufacturers should remain conscious of the quality, as well as the look and feel, of packaging materials, Canadean cautions.

The demand for rigid plastic bottles, jars and tubs will increase significantly over the next few years in Japan. Demand for jars in particular will experience strong growth, with a CAGR of 3% between 2012 and 2017, Canadean says. This reflects the changing needs of the ageing Japanese population, which will require packaging that is easy and convenient to use, as well as aesthetically pleasing.

This information is based on findings from the Canadean report ‘Latest Trends and Key Issues in the Japanese Retail Packaging Market’.