According to a recent economic survey conducted by IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen, many companies just expect the economy to gradually stabilise.

According to the latest economic survey conducted by IK (German Association of Plastics Packaging Manufacturers), in which 109 companies from the industry reportedly participated, the mood among companies in the plastics packaging industry remains cautious with regard to the outlook for 2026. In view of the generally weak overall economic situation and continuing uncertainties, the majority of companies do not expect a rapid economic recovery and anticipate a sideways movement for their industry in 2026. According to the survey, 70 per cent of companies rate the general economic situation as poor, just under 28 per cent rate it as satisfactory and less than two per cent rate it as good. According to the IK, this confirms the survey results of the Institut Der Deutschen Wirtschaft (Institute of German Economy) and the assessment reflected in the ifo business index that the economic environment remains tense.
 
According to the IK survey, around two-thirds of companies expect sales volumes to remain stable in the first quarter of 2026, while around 18 per cent expect a further decline and 16 per cent anticipate an improvement. Companies also expect conditions to remain unchanged for exports, with around two-thirds of businesses preparing for unchanged conditions. At the same time, they see the earnings situation under pressure. Half of those surveyed expect no change in profitability, 41 per cent anticipate a deterioration and nine per cent expect an improvement. The development of raw material availability is assessed more positively: around three-quarters of those surveyed expect stable conditions, just under 19 per cent see an improvement and 6 per cent fear a deterioration. The outlook for employment is clearly cautious. Around 63 per cent of companies plan to keep their workforce stable. Around 30 per cent expect to reduce their workforce, while a good 6 per cent anticipate new hires. According to the survey, this reinforces the trend towards a defensive personnel policy, without widespread job cuts compared to the same quarter last year.
 
Dr Laura Müller, economic affairs officer at the IK, comments on the survey results: ‘After three years of crisis, the plastic packaging industry is entering another year of transition: companies are hoping for the economy to bottom out, but do not see any scope for growth spurts for the time being. We are therefore calling for reliable framework conditions and relief for business locations in order to secure investment and employment in the industry.’ Now is the time to tackle key reforms with courage, according to Müller.
 
Sources:

• IK press release (7.1.2026)
• Photo: © IK