Commercial Water Set To Become The World'S No 1 Beverage

According to a report by global beverage research specialists Candean, commercially sold water will become the world's top beverage by 2005, overtaking carbonates. Current volumes of packaged water (63%) and bulk water (37%) for coolers stand at about 150 billion litres and are forecast to increase at an average rate of 8% per annum to reach 190 billion litres by 2005. A key factor is said to be the increasing health awareness of consumers. The increase in packaged water will benefit the PET plastics industry, which accounts for about 70% of the pack mix at a global level. This share is steadily increasing, mainly at the expense of glass, as consumers take to the lighter, cheaper and more convenient pack type. (whole item)