PET could expand in spirits before beer, analysts predict

The much-trumpeted arrival of beer in single-serve barrier polyethylene terephthalate (PET) could be eclipsed in the UK by growth in the premium spirits sector, says research company Canadean.

Growth in PET for beer is growing at over 150% per year internationally, fuelled by Russia, the Ukraine and, to a lesser extent, the US, says director for alcoholic beverages Kevin Baker. In contrast, UK volumes of beer filled in PET are actually declining by between 10 and 15% a year, as bulk packs are phased out.

Baker adds: "The big issue facing beer in PET is to get over the association of PET with large packs (1 litre plus) of 'cheap' beer, and the potential 'ghettoisation' of PET into situations where glass is not permitted, and beer is not typically served at its best."

Meanwhile, in the US some 20% of the spirits market is already in PET. "I can certainly see the same thing happening in the UK," says Baker. "These are premium-brand, full-strength spirits, using high-quality PET which, at a distance, is indistinguishable from glass." The weight reduction means that extra-large sizes such as 1.75 litres become possible.

One area where PET is not likely to make inroads is flavoured alcoholic beverages (FABs). "The plastic has such strong associations with carbonated soft drinks that the anti-alcohol lobby could easily jump on it," says Baker.

Baker will be among the speakers at Pira International's Innovations in PET Packaging conference in Vienna, May 3-4, 2005.