Labeling and product decoration are critical to the packaging industry, combining the essential information to identify a product with the sales enhancement properties of branding and on-shelf visibility. The healthy status of this market is documented in the newly-published 14th edition of AWA Alexander Watson Associates’ Global Annual Review Labeling & Product Decoration. It explores all the different facets of the subject, across the main labelling formats – pressure-sensitive, glue-applied, sleeving, in-mold labels – and their supply chain characteristics.

The new study details the profiles of the different end-use application segments, including primary product labeling, variable information printing, and security labeling, and sets them in the context of in-depth regional market analyses. In 2019, AWA estimate that global label demand approximated to 66,216 million sqm – showing growth of some 3.2% over prior year. While these figures span all the label and product decoration technologies, 40% of these volumes were in pressure-sensitive labels, 35% in glue-applied labels and, today, 19% in the sleeve labeling technologies.

Regional profiles
Regionally, the countries of Asia continue to claim the largest market share, 45% of the total; Europe a 25% share; North America an 18% share; South America 8%; and Africa and the Middle East 4%.

The study documents pre-COVID-19 growth forecasts, but AWA will provide all study subscribers with an update analysis during Q3 2020 of the impact of COVID-19.

AWA’s regular updates on aspects of the labeling and packaging market are detailed on the company’s website, where their Global Annual Review Labeling & Product Decoration may be ordered online. www.awa-bv.com.