Demand for caps and closures will continue to rise over the next five years in western Europe, according to a report by Market power. Total caps and closures consumption in western Europe reached just under 180bn units in 1999. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK accounted for 88% of demand and this figure has been increasing at a rate of a 2.6% year. A further 21bn closures were consumed in central Europe. The survey predicts that by 2003 an extra 9.5bn closures will be needed in the major western European countries and the drinks markets will be the major beneficiaries, accounting for 74% of this additional demand. Growth of 3.6%/year is expected in central Europe, resulting in an extra demand for 4bn closures.
