2016 Total Packaging Market Size (million units):

93,579

2011-16 Total Packaging Historic CAGR:

0.4%

2016-21 Total Packaging Forecast CAGR:

0.7%

• Total French packaging market is expected to experience almost current CAGR in 2021, but that number doubles from a low base of 0.4% to 0.7%.
• Food packaging dominates, with beverage packaging far behind.
• Rigid plastic leads in size and growth.

• The cocooning trend increased, with economic uncertainty and reaction to terrorist attacks of 2015 and 2016. This offered opportunities and constraints for packaging: on-trade alcoholic drinks packaging suffered as convenient formats for socializing at home performed well. Sharing packs also benefited in areas such as confectionery and sweet and savory snacks.

• France introduces BPA ban French legislation bans BPA in metal tins and beverage cans in 2015. Alternatives such as acrylic, organosol or polyester lacquer and vinyl were not yet widely used as BPA transitions out.
• Ban on single-use plastic bags The government banned all single-use plastic bags less than 50 microns thick, including biodegradable bags. Plastic bags at least 50 microns in thickness and reusable, for wrapping loose food, disposable bags made of non-plastic material, and plastic bags that are 100% bio-sourced remain legal.  It is likely that forecast period legislation will make it mandatory to use biodegradable materials in plastic packaging.
• French authorities perform checks on biocidal products With a focus on fast-moving consumer goods like home insecticides and disinfectants, French authorities checked 600 companies, 28% of whom did not fully conform. The presence of banned active substances and inaccurate or missing labelling, and products that did not meet efficiency tests were most common reasons for failures. Authorities are likely to conduct further checks and renew controls in 2017-2018.

• Players focus on minimizing waste, sustainable development, over recycling  Brand owners and retailers take initiatives to highlight the importance of recycling different pack types to retrieve more raw materials for the production of new packaging.
• Companies in packaged food shift towards local supply Many emphasize products made in France or produced locally.
• Mono-material pack types solve the headache of recycling Brand owners adopt single material simplified packaging to combat rising costs of recycling.  
• Packaging manufacturers move towards labels free from mineral oils Concern rises about opaque PET, primarily used for milk and fruit juice, as it can disrupt recycling. Sanctions may be imposed on players using this pack type in the form of additional taxation in 2018.

• Transparent packaging and windows increase in packaged food, reflecting a growing demand for transparency in ingredients, and consumer desire to see food.
• Many consumers idealize a simpler past with tastier, more natural and healthier food.  Packaging responded by focusing on vintage or retro styling and materials. More sober and simpler packaging took over in lieu of more eye-catching styles seen earlier in the review period.
• Manufacturers must reconcile consumers' focus on simplicity with increasingly complex labelling requirements, as the range of mandatory information on labels continues to broaden.