Introduction to Packaging: Industry

           The packaging industry is a large and diverse market with approximately $433 Billion in sales globally and approximately $126 Billion in the United States. Europe is the leading packaging producer in terms of global market percentage with 30% of the market share. North America comes second in the industry with 28%, Asia is 27%, Latin America is 7%, and other is 8% of the global packaging industry. The packaging industry can be divided into 4 segments based on the type of material used – Plastic, Paper & Board, Glass and Metal. According to economywatch.com, the paper and board segment is the largest amongst the four segments which shares 36% of the packaging industry. A close second is the Plastics Industry, which shares 35% of the packaging industry. The Food & Beverage Industry shares approximately 40% of the total market where beverages alone reach 18%. The Metal Industry takes 17% of the market share, the glass industry takes 10% and the other occupies 3%.


           There are plenty of employment opportunities in a number of challenging and fulfilling careers in the packaging industry. Many of the different packaging industries depend on skills and educational ability in structural and graphic design, production, sales and customer service, accounting and management information systems as well as managerial expertise in sales management, finance and general management. With this being said, there are multiple industries to choose from. The following is a basic list that only skims the surface of the different industries one can work in: Distribution, Manufacturing, Printing, Custom, Advertising, Graphic Design, Contract Packaging, Packaging Equipment, Pharmaceutical Packaging Industry, Food and Beverage Packaging Industry, Plastic Industry, Paper and Pulp Industry, Glass Industry, Metal Industry, and list goes on. As you can see, there is plenty of opportunity within these industries. The list does not include the necessary jobs such as accounting positions, managerial positions, and office/warehouse/driving staff.

           This is just a basic overview of the packaging industry and does not even make a dent in all of the topics I can discuss about the industry itself. Next Monday’s blog is “Introduction to Corrugation: The Basics” where I will be going over all of the basics of corrugation and terms you should know about corrugation. In the meantime, check out our corrugated section at www.expresspkginc.com to get an idea of what we will be discussing.