Spain Sets the Course for Sustainable Packaging

With more than 3,000 companies and around 110,000 employees, the Spanish packaging industry makes an important contribution to the Spanish economy. As in other European countries, it is undergoing a profound transformation. The gradual introduction of a legal framework – at the European, national and regional levels - is creating new conditions in which the sustainability of packaging is taking centre stage.

In terms of geographical distribution, the region of Catalonia is leading the way: almost a third of packaging companies are located there. Just under 40% of companies are located in the Valencia region (18%), Madrid (10.31%), Murcia (6.4%) and Andalusia (5.16%).

The highest turnover is generated by companies that produce packaging materials, in particular paper and cardboard (9,043 million euros) and plastic (7,502 million), followed by packaging machinery (3,942 million). The autonomous regions with the highest turnover in the packaging sector are Catalonia, Madrid, Valencia, Aragon and the Basque Country. The picture is characterised primarily by small and medium-sized companies: 72% of companies generate a turnover of less than 5 million euros. 20 % generate a turnover of between 5 and 25 million euros and 8 % generate more.

Broken down by sub-sector, most companies are manufacturers of plastic packaging and packaging materials (737), followed by paper and cardboard (660), packaging machines (634) and wooden packaging (631) as well as manufacturers of labelling, coding and marking equipment (317). This is followed by manufacturers of metal packaging, glass, corks and other packaging materials. The highest turnover was generated by manufacturers of packaging materials, particularly in the areas of paper and cardboard (€9,043 million) and plastic (€7,502 million), followed by packaging machine manufacturers (€3,942 million).

Strong Customer Sectors

Important factors driving the packaging industry in Spain are expanding end-consumer industries and increasing investment by foreign companies. Opportunities arise from the increasing demand for pharmaceutical packaging and the trend towards sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging materials. The country is particularly strong in the food, automotive and pharmaceutical industries. Orders from these sectors are the backbone of the local contract packaging industry and important customers for packaging manufacturers.

One example of this is the well-known sparkling wine from Spain – Cava. Spain ranks third among international sparkling wine exporters. The USA, Germany and Belgium are the most important customer countries here. The industry is predicted to continue growing strongly. This has a direct impact on the demand for glass bottles and bottling equipment.

The food and beverage industry is also an important pillar of the Spanish economy in other areas and a major consumer of packaging materials. According to the European Food Safety Authority, the Spanish food and beverage industry has a production value of almost 94 billion euros - the most important sector for the Spanish economy and one of the most important in Europe in terms of production, employment and exports.

Focus on Sustainability

In recent years, Spain has increasingly focussed on waste separation and recycling. According to ECOVIDrio, 7 out of 10 packages are recycled in Spain, with an average of 17.8 kg being recycled per citizen per year. The increasing use of recyclable packaging is fuelling further growth, especially for metal and glass. 

Spain has enacted new recycling regulations to tackle the increasing volume of waste. In November 2022, the Spanish government passed a law on waste disposal in Spain, which came into full force in 2023. Carafes of tap water on tables in Spanish restaurants are a direct result of this law. This is because restaurateurs must now offer tap water free of charge. The government hopes that this will reduce the use of plastic bottles. This step, which can probably be described more as a cosmetic measure, is only one aspect of the comprehensive new regulation. Specifications on the eco-design of packaging and its recyclability are likely to prove more effective. In terms of material composition, Spanish legislators are therefore prioritising monomaterials, weight reduction and the use of post-consumer recyclates. Reusable packaging is also being promoted.