MarketTrends<br>World Label Shipments to Grow Nearly 7% Through 2005
The best gains are expected in the world's emerging economies, which already account for almost one-third of global label production. China will experience explosive growth, surpassing Japan as the second leading label-producing nation after the United States. Eastern Europe will also log double-digit annual gains as greater self-sufficiency in label production is achieved. Label markets in East Asia and Latin America will enjoy robust growth as well, fueled by rapid economic expansion, rising populations and expanding consumer sectors increasingly able to satisfy their desire for foods, beverages, personal-care items and other highly packaged consumer products.
Pressure sensitive labels, which surpassed wet glues as the leading label type in the late 1990s, will account for 54% of the global market by 2005. Newer label types like sleeve, in-mold and heat-seal filmic wraparounds will also capture a larger share of the market, albeit from a slim 2000 base, logging double-digit annual gains in most countries.