The plastics packaging and film sector is breathing a little easier in the second quarter of 2025. Challenges certainly persist, yet encouraging signs are emerging – notably in export activity and raw material supply. According to the latest economic survey, just 57 percent of companies now rate the overall economic situation as poor, representing a clear improvement over the 70 percent recorded in the first quarter. The survey was conducted by the German Plastics Packaging Industry Association (IK e.V.) and reflects responses from 105 member companies.

Optimistic outlook around exports, raw materials and jobs

While the overall economic situation is still viewed with caution, there are signs of stability on the horizon. Export expectations remain stable, with IK e.V. reporting that around two-thirds of companies (66 percent) anticipate no change. Raw material availability also appears secure for the near term, with three-quarters of companies expecting no change in procurement. When it comes to jobs, 68 percent plan to maintain their current staffing levels.

Sales expectations and earnings: A mixed picture

This is the first time sales expectations have been collected for Q2 2025, and the results paint a mixed picture according to the report. While the majority of companies (59 percent) expect sales to remain stable, 21 percent anticipate an increase and 20 percent a decline. Expectations are particularly positive in the industrial and commercial packaging segments, such as films, drums, and canisters, as well as for food-grade films and bottles.

Compared with previous quarters, earnings performance seems to be improving. The share of respondents rating their earnings situation as negative has dropped from 50 percent in Q1 to 42 percent in Q2. At the same time, the proportion of companies reporting a positive trend rose from 7 to 10 percent. According to IK e.V., this development suggests that the industry is gradually adapting to the challenging conditions.

“Slight improvement in economic outlook”

“The results of our economic survey show a slight improvement in the economic outlook compared to the start of the year,” says Laura Müller, economic advisor at IK e.V.  “That said, we’re still operating in a challenging environment that demands a high degree of adaptability from companies. Policymakers can’t simply rely on this strength of the midmarket sector if they want the growing optimism to be more than just a passing phase.”

For more information, visit https://kunststoffverpackungen.de/en