Research company predicts rise in bags

Ceresana, a Germany-based research company, has released a report forecasting that by 2020 the sales volume of bags and sacks in Europe will reach 9.12 million tonnes.

The report covers bags made from plastic and paper, but the company states that carrier bags made from PE film are by far the most popular.

Ceresana points out that the EU Commission has given the objective to reduce consumption of plastic carrier bags in Europe with national bans being allowed on certain types of plastic bags.

Independent from EU legislation some countries have already banned plastic carrier bags, although plastic bags made from bioplastics are often exempt. Bioplastic bags are usually either made from renewable materials or are biodegradable.

Ceresana says that despite this, bioplastics alone will not provide the ultimate solution to the carrier bag problem.

The research company expects the market for heavy duty and industry sacks made from plastics to grow by 1.8% per annum during the next eight years.

Courtesy: European Plastic News