Packaging Industry in Japan

Euromonitor International's Packaging Industry in Japan report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the market at a national level. It provides historic market size data by industry, allowing you to identify the most popular pack types. It identifies the leading companies, and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market- be they new product developments, recycling or legislation issues. Forecasts illustrate how the market is set to change.

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Executive summary

Environmental awareness puts eco-friendly pack developments to the fore

Strong consumer concerns about environmental issues claimed a high priority among manufacturers. The concern about the environment has led to the emergence of the concept of sustainability, which is increasingly reflected in the new pack types that packagers are preparing for product manufacturers to use. Over the review period, packaging suppliers introduced various forms of biodegradable plastics, which are an alternative to petroleum-based packaging such as the widely-used polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In late 2007, the Polymer packager, Teijin Limited, formed an alliance with Cargill Dow LLC’s NatureWorks LLC, a global plastic manufacturer, to offer Poly lactic acid (PLA), a plastic biopolymer wholly derived from corn, which is compostable and biodegradable. The two companies state that the development will accelerate NatureWorks's global sales growth and push PLA expansion into the broad plastics and fibres industries. Such materials are made from a variety of plants, and they are expected to generate high demand in response to projections that consumers and recycling regulations will boost the demand for environmentally-friendly packaging.

Pricing pressures lead to improved recycling status

Manufacturers like Oji Paper Co Ltd and all major paper producers are looking at options to improve recycling rates in order to successfully compete with PET. Recycling rates for household waste improved in 2007 and 2008 although Japan does not recycle most PET bottles itself, but is a major exporter of used PET bottles to its neighbouring countries. Japanese recycling companies with huge factories are being confronted with a shortage of used PET bottles. Moreover, Japan faces the challenge of a rapidly ageing population. Within 20 years one third of the population will be 65-years-old-or-over, which will have an impact on packaging design and the use of materials. Growing calls for food safety legislation have also increased the complexity of the legislative environment for the Japanese packaging industry, but in light of the government’s inability to enforce recycling, the effectiveness of such legislation remains unclear.

Integrated production systems

Larger manufacturers such as Nippon Tetra Pak and Nippon Paper Pak are looking to improve their production facilities with better recycling management and strengthen the regulation of the cost of raw materials since this is increasingly becoming an area of concern. With the cost of production increasing steadily, manufacturers are keen to put more focus in this area. Hence the forecast period should witness improved recycling facilities inside plants which contribute to waste reduction and increase the focus on waste management.

Table of contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS PUTS ECO-FRIENDLY PACK DEVELOPMENTS TO THE FORE

PRICING PRESSURES LEAD TO IMPROVED RECYCLING STATUS

INTEGRATED PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

MARKET BACKGROUND

PACKAGING LEGISLATION

Legal Requirements

HACCP drives major improvements over time

Labels become more informative to help consumers

Government considers extending labelling requirements to imported goods

Government expands labelling requirements for processed food

RECYCLING AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Legal requirements

Changing laws to include all paper and plastic

The separation of different materials is key to recycling progress

Increasing responsibility on residents

More collections reflect positively on recycling rates

Recycling capacities set to increase among recycling companies

Recycling fees based on company sales

Summary 1 Japanese Recycling Fees for Packaging and Containers

Aluminium cans over steel alternatives

Identification marks and material labelling to assist sorted collection

CORPORATE ACTIVITY IN PACKAGING

BIOPLASTICS USED FOR BOTTLE LABELS AND CLOSURES

RECYCLING SCAMS CONTINUE TO AFFECT THE PAPER INDUSTRY

CHLORINE-FREE PACKAGING MAKES FURTHER STRIDES IN 2007

MAJOR MARKET PLAYERS

MITSUBISHI PLASTICS INC

Strategy

Packaging constitutes its core business

From rigid to flexible

Environmental concerns

Mitsubishi Plastics launches X-BARRIER ™ super high gas barrier film

Alternative forms to PVC lead to the development of Copolyester

Summary 2 Mitsubishi Plastics Inc: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 3 Major End-Use Markets for Mitsubishi Plastics Inc by Pack Type 2008

SHOWA DENKO KK

Strategy

Aluminium packaging is the core activity

Summary 4 Showa Denko KK: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 5 Major End-Use Markets for Showa Cans by Pack Type 2008

KUREHA CORP

Production capacity expansion

Anticipated results and future business development

Packaging materials division

Summary 6 Kureha Corp: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 7 Major End-Use Markets for Kureha Corp by Pack Type 2008

CHUO KAGAKU CO LTD

Licensing and export

Affiliates

Environmental approach

Summary 8 Chuo Kagaku Co Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 9 Major End-Use Markets for Chuo Kagaku Co Ltd Pack Type 2007

TOYO SEIKAN KAISHA LTD

Expansion and collaboration makes Toyo Seikan Kaisha more competitive

Easy-open bottle shaped can

The company strives to improve through collaboration

Summary 10 Toyo Seikan Kaisha Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 11 Major End-Use Markets for Toyo Seikan Kaisha Ltd by Pack Type 2007

HOKKAI CAN CO LTD

Three manufacturing segments

Tie-up with Mitsubishi Materials strengthens the company’s position

Business strategy

Summary 12 Hokkai Can Co Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 13 Major End-Use Markets for Hokkai Can Co Ltd by Pack Type 2007

DAIWA CAN CO

Bottle can packaging provides good results

Strategy

Increasing focus on bottle cans during 2007

Summary 14 Daiwa Can Co: Operational Indicators 2008

Summary 15 Major End-Use Markets for Daiwa Can Co by Pack Type 2007

FUJIMORI KOGYO CO LTD

Fujimoro Kogyo is a pioneer

Focus on pouches increases sales in 2007

Summary 16 Fujimori Kogyo Co Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 17 Major End-Use Markets for Fujimori Kogyo Co Ltd by Pack Type 2007

COWPACK CO LTD

Specialised portfolio focuses on refillable pouches

Business strategy moving forward

Summary 18 Cowpack Co Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 19 Major End-Use Markets for Cowpack Co Ltd by Pack Type 2007

DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD

Paper UHF band RFID tags

Summary 20 Dai Nippon Printing Co Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 21 Major End-Use Markets for Dai Nippon Printing Co Ltd by Pack Type 2007

UNICHARM CORP

Innovative newcomer

Summary 22 Unicharm Corp: Operational Indicators 2007

NIHON YAMAMURA GLASS CO LTD

Specialised products from Nihon Yamamura

Expansion of sales as a result of technological advancement

New Yamamura

Business strategy

Recycling activities

Summary 23 Nihon Yamamura Glass Co Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 24 Major End-Use Markets for Nihon Yamamura Glass Co Ltd by Pack Type 2005

TOYO GLASS CO LTD

Developing lightweight and universal design products

Summary 25 Toyo Glass Co Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 26 Major End-Use Markets for Toyo Glass Co Ltd by Pack Type 2005

ISHIZUKA GLASS CO LTD

Added value

Investments yield results in 2007

Summary 27 Ishizuka Glass Co Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 28 Major End-Use Markets for Ishizuka Glass Co Ltd by Pack Type 2007

NIHON TETRA PAK KK

History

Background of Tetra Pak

Aluminium foil

Small sizes develop as a focus area

Recycling is a focus area

Summary 29 Nihon Tetra Pak KK: Operational Indicators 2006

Summary 30 Major End-Use for Nihon Tetra Pak KK by Pack Type 2007

NIPPON PAPER GROUP INC

Vision 2015

Nippon Paper Group becomes more aggressive

Price hikes in 2008 for paper packaging

Investments yield results in 2007

Stock holdings remain in Oji Paper Co Ltd

Shared costs benefit Nippon Paper Group and Oji Paper

Summary 31 Nippon Paper Group Inc: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 32 Major End-Use Markets for Nippon Paper Group Inc by Pack Type 2007

HOKUETSU PAPER MILLS LTD

Price hikes in 2007

Summary 33 Hokuetsu Paper Mills Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

OJI PAPER CO LTD

Strengthening domestic business and alliance benefits

Legislation a threat?

Prices on the rise following takeover bid

Summary 34 Oji Paper Co Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 35 Major End-Use Markets for Oji Paper Co Ltd by Pack Type 2007

TOPPAN PRINTING CO LTD

Demand increases for Cartocan

Strategy and new business

Toppan develops new PV backsheets

Summary 36 Toppan Printing Co Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 37 Major End-Use Markets for Toppan Printing Co Ltd by Pack Type 2007

TOKAN KOGYO CO LTD

Strategy and new business

Containers, cups and oxygen barrier packaging are essential

Summary 38 Tokan Kogyo Co Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 39 Major End-Use Markets for Tokan Kogyo Co Ltd by Pack Type 2008

RENGO CO LTD

Path to growth

Alliance with Nippon Paper Group and Sumitomo Corp

Summary 40 Rengo Co Ltd: Operational Indicators 2007

Summary 41 Major End-Use Markets for Rengo Co Ltd by Pack Type 2007

REXAM PHARMA

Reputation for nasal sprays

Closure innovation: filled-in-line desiccant caps for bottles

WEYERHAEUSER

MAJOR PLAYERS BY PACK TYPE

RIGID PLASTIC

Recycling gives PET an edge

Summary 42 Major Rigid Plastic Packaging Companies by Pack Type 2007

METAL

Aluminium becomes expensive throughout the world

Summary 43 Share of Major Metal Packaging Companies 2007

Summary 44 Major Metal Packaging Companies by Pack Type 2007

FLEXIBLE PACKAGING

More players emerge to meet growing domestic demand

Summary 45 Ranking of Major Flexible Packaging Companies 2007

Summary 46 Major Flexible Packaging Companies by Pack Type 2007

GLASS

Glass continues to benefit from premium image

Summary 47 Share of Major Glass Packaging Companies 2007

LIQUID CARTONS

Appealing symmetrical shape of liquid cartons ensures continuous demand

Summary 48 Share of Major Liquid Carton Companies 2007

PAPER-BASED CONTAINERS

Consolidation moves

Summary 49 Share of Paper-Based Container Companies 2007

Summary 50 Major Paper-Based Container Companies by Pack Type 2008

CLOSURES

Closures form core business for Japan Crown Cork Co Ltd

Summary 51 Ranking of Major Closure Companies 2007

APPENDIX

APPENDIX 1 – BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC DEFINITION

BioPolymer

Synthetic Polymer

Modification of Natural Polymer

APPENDIX 2 – BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC USAGE

Summary 52 Biodegradable Plastic Usage