At 203,000 metric tons, first-quarter European production of aluminum foil for 2003 is running 7 percent ahead of 2002, says the European Aluminum Foil Assn, based in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The industry is clearly off to a better start, particularly for exports and the thin-foil products used mainly in packaging, the EAFA says. Exports are showing a growth of 12 percent over Q1 2002, while sales inside the EAFA "home" territory are up about 6 percent.

These latest statistics are the first to include actual sales figures from Armenian and Russian producers, based on the input from the new EAFA members, and estimates of other producers in these territories. Growth in these emerging markets is higher than average and so has increased the total EAFA percentage growth figure.

"According to the current indications received from members, strong demand is continuing in the second quarter," says EAFA Secretary General, Stefan Glimm. "This year promises to continue the long-term growth in alufoil shipments, with the third quarter perhaps developing more modestly than in 2002."

EAFA is the international body representing a 100-strong company membership of aluminum-foil rollers, packaging converters and foil-container manufacturers in 21 countries.