According to the Freedonia Group, global demand for beer containers is expected to advance over 3% per annum to 303bn units in 2001, outpacing growth in beer production. Gains will be based on the shift toward smaller container sizes in developing markets like S America, as well as the trend toward packaged vs draft beer in many developed markets, which in turn reflects the rising popularity of at-home vs on-premises drinking. One-way packaging, both cans and recyclable glass bottles, will further supplant returnable glass bottles, especially in developing country markets where the latter have traditionally dominated. These and other trends are presented in World Beer Containers, a new study from the Freedonia Group. For further information please contact the Freedonia Group Media Relations on (USA) fax +216 921 5459.
