Personal care drives aerosol growth

UK aerosol fillings increased by 3.3% over the previous year, according to the latest annual figures from the British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA).

The data, released by the trade body yesterday (1 June), highlights the success of the metal pack format.

The personal care sector remains the main driver of growth, with hairsprays and hair mousses showing strong growth up 19.4% – up from 68 million units (2009) to 81.7 million units. Other personal care products also showing an increase include: shaving products, up 5.4% from 187.6 million units to 197.8 million units; and the new and growing category of aerosol suntan and bronzing which increased by 7%, up by 43,000 units.

Although the filling figures are not directly linked to sales within the UK, the renewed strength of aerosol hair care products is reflective of market trends, as consumers are said to be moving away from styling products and back to hairsprays, according to BAMA members operating in this sector.

UK fillings of household products also enjoyed a strong rise in 2010. Bathroom and kitchen products over-tripled with 325% growth from 800,000 units to 3.4 million units. Air fresheners too, grew by 4.8% from 147.3 million units to 154.4 million units whilst waxes and polishes showed a modest 0.7% growth.

Other sectors of note include vet and pet which increased by 92.3% from 1.3 million units to 2.5 million units and automotive which increased by over 44% with growth of 12.7 million units and insecticides which grew by 3.2%, from 12.5 million to 12.9 million units.

Sue Rogers, director of BAMA, said: “The 2010 figures are consistent with previous years, with personal care still the major driver in the UK. The sector also continues to show resilience overall, despite a difficult economic climate. Changes in the market are not necessarily reflective of consumer buying patterns but structural changes in the market. For example, we have seen companies moving filling back to the UK from China and Eastern Europe and it is pleasing to note that, despite a large contract filler ceasing to operate in the UK, 2010 fillings still increased. We can be especially confident in these figures as they account for virtually all manufacturers and fillers in the UK.”