The Print and Packaging industry in Ireland has undergone significant restructuring to enable it to compete in a most difficult and competitive environment. In 2008, the Paper and Packaging industry comprised of 600 companies, employing a total of 16,800 people. The turnover was €2.4 billion during this period and exports amounted to €312 million.
The industry has experienced significant increases in productivity, resulting in very competitive offerings. The Print and Packaging industry serves the Food, Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, Media, Financial, Government and Industrial sectors. These sectors account for 84 per cent of turnover in the industry. Whilst direct exports are modest, both print and packaging form a component of the exports of many manufacturing sectors. The creation of the National Print and Packaging Forum recognises the determination of Irish companies to succeed in a challenging environment by offering competitive customer solutions.
Ethical concerns over sustainability have led to an increase in the use of glass, metal and plastic as the most dominant packaging materials. The emerging Cleantech industry is providing opportunities for niche companies. Ten Irish companies account for over 70 per cent of all Ireland’s exports and these include Quinn Packaging, Holfeld Plastics, Marchmont, Smurfit Kappa Group, Kenilworth Products and Alert Packaging.
Key Sector Characteristics and Growth Opportunities
Green Packaging
- Recyclable materials – Ireland encourages high recycling rates
- Recycled materials and reusable packaging
- Reduced lightweight packaging
- Biopolymers – plastics made from natural polymers
- Sustainable packaging
Supply Chain Efficient Packaging
- Shelf ready solutions
- Packaging that extends shelf life
- RFID - Radio Frequency Identification to improve efficiencies in inventory tracking and management
- Short run digital labelling and printing
Food Safety Packaging
- Tamper evident packaging
- Contamination prevention packaging
- Convenient Packaging - the convenience trend is one of the key drivers behind the development of innovative packaging solutions.
- New Materials – nanocomposites and nanofilms, natural polymers, oxydegradable additives, edible coatings and film.
For further details of all Irish companies providing services to the ANZ print & packaging sector, please click here.