Chinese demand for beverage containers is projected to post annual gains of 8.5% and reach 201BN units by 2010, valued at nearly Y106BN. It is thought that packaged beverage consumption growth, and hence related container sales, will be driven by healthy growth in consumer spending: growing interest in enhanced or functional beverages and beverages that may have possible health benefits; rising safety concerns over unpackaged distilled spirits and rice wines; and continued high levels of new product introductions accompanied by aggressive marketing campaigns. Container demand will advance in line with packaged beverage production, with average container size expected to decline slightly, a result of an ongoing shift towards 600mm or smaller-sized single-serving containers. However, plastic containers will continue to represent the biggest segment of the market.
