A strong domestic demand was the main reason for the very good start into 2007 for the European aluminium foil industry with a growth of 3.9 percent in the first quarter. Statistics from the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA) put total shipments up to228,300 tons (2006: 219,800 tons). Domestic sales into the EAFA region increased by 6.2 percent while exports dropped by eight percent.

Thicker gauges, mainly used for the manufacture of semi-rigid container and technical applications, took off with nearly ten percent and thinner gauges, normally used in flexible packaging, rose by 4.4 percent.

Approximately three quarters of aluminium foil is used in packaging where its characteristics of strength, formability and barrier properties have made it an essential part of many flexible packaging and container applications. Other uses of aluminium foil include automotive and other heat exchange components, insulation material and other industrial applications.