In the short to medium term we are unlikely to have any new can,
carton or PET type revolution. The trends of the last decades are set
to carry on into the next. Glass will continue to concede share to
PET in the soft drinks category as rising affluence in the developing
world prompts consumers to seek out cleaner water. Industry
consolidation may generate more investment in modern PET
packaging lines to reach a mass audience in the developing world.
Glass will not lose its association with quality enabling it to
maintain a strong presence in the Horeca (hotel, restaurant and
catering channels). The glass bottle is likely to remain iconic and
will be a valuable tool for brand owners looking to target the top
end of the soft drink and beer markets. Meanwhile in the alcohol
sector, the threat to glass from PET is less pronounced and glass will
continue to prosper. With the exception of Eastern Europe, PET has
failed to win over beer drinkers. With rising demand for beer in
the developing markets, it is expected that refillable glass, which
accounts for a large part of beer volume in these markets, will
actually make gains in the next 10 years globally as a result.