PCI Films Consulting's "World Flexible Packaging Market 2006" study documented Asia Pacific as the fastest-growing major region, with demand rising at an average 6.5% per year from 2000 to 2005 versus 0.6% in Europe and 4.1% in North America. Total world flexible packaging consumption reached roughly $44.4 billion in 2005, with Asia Pacific accounting for about $12.8 billion—nearly 29% of global value.
PCI forecast world flexible packaging would grow an average 4.6% per year in value to nearly $56 billion by 2010, with more than half of incremental demand originating in Asia Pacific. China was projected to become the second-largest national market after the United States within the forecast period, driven by urbanization, modern retail expansion, and export-oriented food processing.
The consultancy's regional supply-demand reports tracked polyester and polypropylene film capacity additions feeding flexible packaging converters in China, India, and Southeast Asia. Paper, Film & Foil Converter summarized PCI findings under the headline "East Beats West," noting multinational brand owners localizing pouch and laminate production to serve Asian consumers while maintaining global graphic standards.
For machinery exporters, PCI's 2006–2007 data justified application-engineering resources in ASEAN and China. Converters requested CI flexo and solventless laminator quotations aligned with regional web widths, power standards, and downstream VFFS partner specifications—often planning toll-print partnerships before committing to in-house print halls.
Western converters reading PCI's Asia forecasts simultaneously faced margin pressure from downgauging and offshore competition. The dual dynamic—growth in Asia, consolidation in Europe and North America—shaped M&A activity that would culminate in Amcor's Alcan Packaging acquisitions and Bemis's 2010 Food Americas transaction.