From:Packaging News

Canadean, compilers of beverage can filling figures for BCME, has confirmed that 2015 proved to be another record year.

Over 64 billion cans were filled in Europe, an increase of 1.25 billion over the previous year.

Beer can fillings in Western Europe continued positively showing another year of growth. The Eastern European small decline in fillings was tempered by a rise in market share for beverage cans against other pack formats.

Soft drinks fillings remained vibrant with an overall increase of 4.4% when compared to 2014, coupled with an increase in pack share for cans. Eastern European fillings jumped by 10%, with all countries in that region showing positive growth. Overall the soft drink category now accounts for more than half of all beverage can fillings in Europe.

The energy drink category continues to be an important driver for soft drink cans, with the successful addition of larger can formats that complement the traditional 25cl format in this category. The European market for energy drinks increased by 6% last year and now almost 2 in every 3 litres of energy drinks are sold in cans.

Norman Lett, BCME Marketing Committee chairman, said: “These excellent results, delivered despite the absence of any prominent sporting fixture, underline how brand owners and consumers are increasingly selecting the beverage can as their preferred pack of choice, whether that is for beer or soft drinks.