PCI Films Consulting's third-edition "World Flexible Packaging Market" report projected the $58 billion converter-supplied consumer primary flexible packaging sector would grow at an average 3.2% per year in value through 2013—down from 5.9% annual growth averaged over the prior three years. The consultancy argued the global recession affected 2008–2009 demand but would exert only minor long-term influence because food packaging dominates end uses.
More significant drags included major brand-owner cost-reduction programs, substrate downgauging, reduction in laminate layer counts, government packaging-waste initiatives, and "healthy eating" campaigns suppressing snack and confectionery consumption in developed markets. PCI noted Asia would overtake North America and Western Europe as the largest regional flexible packaging market by 2013, with China alone approaching 10% of global demand.
India and other emerging producers were flagged as rising consumers and exporters of printed flexible materials. PCI's separate emerging-markets work identified thirteen countries—including Brazil, Mexico, Poland, Russia, and Vietnam—collectively valued at $14 billion and growing nearly 70% since 2006 despite the downturn.
For ink and press suppliers, slower value growth implied intensified competition on total cost per thousand square meters rather than greenfield line additions in mature regions. Converters doubled down on solvent recovery, ink viscosity control, and slitter efficiency to protect margins when customers refused price increases tied to 2010 resin spikes.
The 3.2% forecast nonetheless represented absolute growth on a large base—flexible packaging remained among the most stable print-related segments during the 2008–2009 crisis. Machinery vendors redirected sales efforts to Asia and Eastern Europe while Western customers delayed drupa 2008 orders or canceled them outright.