Deliveries of aluminium, laminate and plastic tubes in Europe fell 3.9 per cent to about 5.8 billion units in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, according to the European tube manufacturers association (etma).
Aluminium tube deliveries reached almost 2 billion units, down 4.8 per cent. Demand from the food sector remained stable and cosmetics saw a slight increase, but a significant drop in pharmaceutical deliveries, the largest application segment, drove the overall decline.
Laminate tube deliveries rose 3.6 per cent to almost 2.36 billion units, with growth in toothpaste and pharmaceutical markets. Plastic tube deliveries fell sharply by 12.8 per cent to around 1.47 billion units, largely due to lower demand from the cosmetics sector, particularly for smaller diameter tubes.
The industry continues to face challenges with the availability of post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, particularly in plastics, slowing the transition to higher recycled content in packaging. Global trade uncertainty is also a concern, with US tariffs of 50 per cent on aluminium tubes, effective August 2025, adding pressure on international supply chains.
“The first half of 2025 has shown once again that our industry is both challenged and resilient. Despite weaker demand in some key markets, particularly pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, we continue to see growth impulses in other sectors and tube types. The resilience of our members and their continued investments in innovation and sustainability make us cautiously optimistic for the remainder of 2025,” said etma president Zoran Joksic.
