Covid-19 briefing

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- ECONOMIC IMPACT -

Latest update: 17 February

The Conference Board forecasts the US' economic growth rate at 2%(annualised rate) in Q1 2021.

S&P Ratings forecasts the economic growth rate of China at 7% in 2021, following a 2.3% growth recorded in 2020.

5.5%

0.3The IMF projects global economic growth at 5.5% for 2021, an upward revision from the 5.2% rise estimated in October 2020.

6.9%

The unemployment rate in OECD nations stood at 6.9% in December 2020, unchanged from the previous month.

Impact of Covid-19 on eMPLOYMENT

- SECTOR IMPACT: PACKAGING -

Latest update: 3 February

The rise of the ecommerce channel is significantly impacting the packaging industry, and suppliers are optimising packaging to be more robust for this channel in order to meet manufacturer requirements.

Digital tools continue to be used to achieve safety and efficiency. Packaging companies also recognise the continued importance of investing in sustainable supply chain operations.

Packaging sub-sector impact

Packaging impact assessment

Revenue and employment


Packaging for shelf-stable food products continues to be in demand, while demand for luxury goods packaging is stale as discretionary spending is reduced.


Ball aims to construct a new production facility in the Czech Republic in the spring of 2021. It will employ up to 200 people and meet the growing demand for sustainable and recyclable beverage packaging.

Supply chain and demand disruption


Amcor recently became the first global diversified packaging company to report to the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board packaging standard.


Kraft Heinz Canada will partner with Loop, a circular reuse platform designed to eliminate packaging waste. Heinz ketchup bottles can now be brought to your door via Loop, which then will pick up and refill the item.

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