"The German Packaging Machinery Industry had a good start into the new year and shows itself in a good mood before the interpack. The incoming order was eleven percent above the pre-year figure in the first three months this year, in which the demand came both from home and abroad," so Richard Clemens, Managing Director of VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association on the occasion of the interpack 2011 in Düsseldorf.

"The world economy recovered faster than expected in 2010 and found its way back to the growth path, as well as the Packaging Machinery Industry. In 2010 it grew steadily and almost made up the loss due to the economic crisis. The production surpassed its previous year level by 7.4 percent and was at 4.8 billion Euros in 2010," Clemens explained.

Due to the global financial and economic crisis the worldwide demand for Packaging Machinery declined briefly for the first time in years in 2009. 2010 the slowdown in investments loosened and the demand rose again. According to temporary estimates of the VDMA the worldwide production volume reached a value of 24.1 billion Euros. "With a share of 20 percent Germany strengthened its position as leading nation in the Packaging Machinery Industry," emphasized Clemens. In the second place Italy follows with a share of 16 percent.

The demand for packed food, drinks and pharmaceutical products rises worldwide. The packaging machinery industry profits from those developments. The food and beverage industry is a robust economic sector with high investments and is one of the largest purchasers of packaging machinery with a share of 60 percent. Accordingly the international world trade with packaging machinery grew constantly many years. Although the global economic and financial crisis cushioned the demand and 2009 the export declined briefly. 2010 it rose again. Worldwide packaging machinery and plants at a value of 13.2 billion Euros have been exported, a growth of 11.4 percent compared to the previous year.

With an export share of far over 80 percent the export is still the driving force of the German packaging machinery sector. The exports reached a volume of 3.9 billion Euros in 2010. The German companies profited from the dynamic development in the emerging markets. Most important export country 2010 was China with a shipping volume of 483 million Euros. Compared to the previous year the exports to China almost doubled. The demand from the USA also rose and the German supplies reached a volume of 413 million Euros. In Russia, the most important market in Eastern Europe, the demand stimulated. Germany has been the most important trade partner of Russia for the supply of packaging machinery for years. The German manufacturers delivered packaging machinery at a value of 247 million Euros to Russia. The deliveries to Brazil also increased and reached a volume of 99 million Euros.

The demand for packed food and drinks develops further dynamically in the coming years. This for demographic reasons alone: Till 2050 the population worldwide grows to 9 billion people – this is 30 percent more than today.