Industry: Machinery & Equipment
Published Date: 2025-01-18
Pages: 106 Pages
Report ld: 3436134
Request Sample
Customized Report
Beer Kegs Market Size(US$)

CAGR 2025-2031
5.6%
Market Size,2031
USD 1,690
Million
Market Snapshot
Source: Secondary research, interviews with experts, and QYResearch analysis
The global market for Beer Kegs was estimated to be worth US$ 1160 million in 2024 and is forecast to a readjusted size of US$ 1690 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period 2025-2031.
Beer kegs are made of stainless steel, PET, or less commonly, of aluminum. A keg is the small barrel which is used for storing and transporting products such as beverages which includes alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverages, Cooking oil and Chemicals. Alcoholic beverages include alcohol types such as beer, wine, spirits and cider. The main reason for storing the alcoholic beverages in the kegs is that it maintains the original flavor and quality of the beer over a long period of time.
The global market is highly competitive in nature. Top players operating in the market include Blefa (Artemis Group), THIELMANN, Zhejiang Ningbo Major Draft Beer Equipment Co., Ltd., SCHÄFER Container Systems, Lightweight Containers BV, Petainer, Dolium (Dispack Projects NV), Ningbo BestFriends Beverage Containers, Shinhan Industrial Co., Ltd. And PolyKeg S.r.l. Market players are resorting to mergers and acquisitions to increase product offerings and strengthen their position in the industry. Moreover, companies are focusing on expanding their production capacity and adopting innovative technologies owing to meet consumer demand.Of the major players of Kegs, Blefa (Artemis Group) accounted for 9.561% of the Global Kegs sales volume market share in 2018. Other players accounted for 8.001%, 7.685%, including Zhejiang Ningbo Major Draft Beer Equipment Co., Ltd. and THIELMANN.
Regions with low beer consumption per capita, such as Africa, South America and Southeast Asia, beer consumption is growing fast; in developed countries, such as Britain and the United States where beer consumption is mature, craft beer is growing rapidly. These two major trends have brought new business opportunities to beer kegs suppliers.
This report aims to provide a comprehensive presentation of the global market for Beer Kegs, focusing on the total sales volume, sales revenue, price, key companies market share and ranking, together with an analysis of Beer Kegs by region & country, by Type, and by Application.
The Beer Kegs market size, estimations, and forecasts are provided in terms of sales volume (K Units) and sales revenue ($ millions), considering 2024 as the base year, with history and forecast data for the period from 2020 to 2031. With both quantitative and qualitative analysis, to help readers develop business/growth strategies, assess the market competitive situation, analyze their position in the current marketplace, and make informed business decisions regarding Beer Kegs.
MARKET SEGMENTATION
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Chapter 1: Introduces the report scope of the report, global total market size (value, volume and price). This chapter also provides the market dynamics, latest developments of the market, the driving factors and restrictive factors of the market, the challenges and risks faced by manufacturers in the industry, and the analysis of relevant policies in the industry.
Chapter 2: Detailed analysis of Beer Kegs manufacturers competitive landscape, price, sales and revenue market share, latest development plan, merger, and acquisition information, etc.
Chapter 3: Provides the analysis of various market segments by Type, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different market segments.
Chapter 4: Provides the analysis of various market segments by Application, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different downstream markets.
Chapter 5: Sales, revenue of Beer Kegs in regional level. It provides a quantitative analysis of the market size and development potential of each region and introduces the market development, future development prospects, market space, and market size of each country in the world.
Chapter 6: Sales, revenue of Beer Kegs in country level. It provides sigmate data by Type, and by Application for each country/region.
Chapter 7: Provides profiles of key players, introducing the basic situation of the main companies in the market in detail, including product sales, revenue, price, gross margin, product introduction, recent development, etc.
Chapter 8: Analysis of industrial chain, including the upstream and downstream of the industry.
Chapter 9: Conclusion.
QYRESEARCH'S STRENGTHS
Unlike generic global market reports, this study combines macro-level industry trends with hyper-local operational intelligence, empowering data-driven decisions across the Compound Chocolate value chain, addressing:
We identify regional market threats and growth prospects to guide your overseas layout.
We adjust product portfolios in line with local consumption habits.
We unpack rivals’ operation strategies for scattered and highly concentrated industries.
We cover competition landscape, full supply chain and quantified market size data, and deliver tailor-made customized surveys to meet your unique business demands.
We own self-owned massive exclusive databases, backed by 19 years of global market research experience across thousands of sectors.
Our team operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, enabling ultra-fast report turnaround to respond to your research needs efficiently.
We integrate regional risk assessment, localized product optimization and competitor analysis to deliver actionable market strategies.
All data is cross-verified from multiple industry sources to deliver thorough, precise analysis that supports reliable corporate strategic decisions.
We provide responsive, dedicated after-sales support to resolve all follow-up inquiries about reports, data and industry interpretation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Market Overview
1.1 Beer Kegs Product Introduction
1.2 Global Beer Kegs Market Size Forecast
1.2.1 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value (2020-2031)
1.2.2 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume (2020-2031)
1.2.3 Global Beer Kegs Sales Price (2020-2031)
1.3 Beer Kegs Market Trends & Drivers
1.3.1 Beer Kegs Industry Trends
1.3.2 Beer Kegs Market Drivers & Opportunity
1.3.3 Beer Kegs Market Challenges
1.3.4 Beer Kegs Market Restraints
1.4 Assumptions and Limitations
1.5 Study Objectives
1.6 Years Considered
2 Competitive Analysis by Company
2.1 Global Beer Kegs Players Revenue Ranking (2024)
2.2 Global Beer Kegs Revenue by Company (2020-2025)
2.3 Global Beer Kegs Players Sales Volume Ranking (2024)
2.4 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume by Company Players (2020-2025)
2.5 Global Beer Kegs Average Price by Company (2020-2025)
2.6 Key Manufacturers Beer Kegs Manufacturing Base and Headquarters
2.7 Key Manufacturers Beer Kegs Product Offered
2.8 Key Manufacturers Time to Begin Mass Production of Beer Kegs
2.9 Beer Kegs Market Competitive Analysis
2.9.1 Beer Kegs Market Concentration Rate (2020-2025)
2.9.2 Global 5 and 10 Largest Manufacturers by Beer Kegs Revenue in 2024
2.9.3 Global Top Manufacturers by Company Type (Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3) & (based on the Revenue in Beer Kegs as of 2024)
2.10 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion
3 Segmentation by Type
3.1 Introduction by Type
3.1.1 Plastic Kegs
3.1.2 Metal Kegs
3.2 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value by Type
3.2.1 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value by Type (2020 VS 2024 VS 2031)
3.2.2 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value, by Type (2020-2031)
3.2.3 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value, by Type (%) (2020-2031)
3.3 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume by Type
3.3.1 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume by Type (2020 VS 2024 VS 2031)
3.3.2 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume, by Type (2020-2031)
3.3.3 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume, by Type (%) (2020-2031)
3.4 Global Beer Kegs Average Price by Type (2020-2031)
4 Segmentation by Application
4.1 Introduction by Application
4.1.1 Alcoholic Products
4.1.2 Non-Alcoholic Products
4.2 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value by Application
4.2.1 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value by Application (2020 VS 2024 VS 2031)
4.2.2 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value, by Application (2020-2031)
4.2.3 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value, by Application (%) (2020-2031)
4.3 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume by Application
4.3.1 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume by Application (2020 VS 2024 VS 2031)
4.3.2 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume, by Application (2020-2031)
4.3.3 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume, by Application (%) (2020-2031)
4.4 Global Beer Kegs Average Price by Application (2020-2031)
5 Segmentation by Region
5.1 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value by Region
5.1.1 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value by Region: 2020 VS 2024 VS 2031
5.1.2 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value by Region (2020-2025)
5.1.3 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value by Region (2026-2031)
5.1.4 Global Beer Kegs Sales Value by Region (%), (2020-2031)
5.2 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume by Region
5.2.1 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume by Region: 2020 VS 2024 VS 2031
5.2.2 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume by Region (2020-2025)
5.2.3 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume by Region (2026-2031)
5.2.4 Global Beer Kegs Sales Volume by Region (%), (2020-2031)
5.3 Global Beer Kegs Average Price by Region (2020-2031)
5.4 North America
5.4.1 North America Beer Kegs Sales Value, 2020-2031
5.4.2 North America Beer Kegs Sales Value by Country (%), 2024 VS 2031
5.5 Europe
5.5.1 Europe Beer Kegs Sales Value, 2020-2031
5.5.2 Europe Beer Kegs Sales Value by Country (%), 2024 VS 2031
5.6 Asia Pacific
5.6.1 Asia Pacific Beer Kegs Sales Value, 2020-2031
5.6.2 Asia Pacific Beer Kegs Sales Value by Region (%), 2024 VS 2031
5.7 South America
5.7.1 South America Beer Kegs Sales Value, 2020-2031
5.7.2 South America Beer Kegs Sales Value by Country (%), 2024 VS 2031
5.8 Middle East & Africa
5.8.1 Middle East & Africa Beer Kegs Sales Value, 2020-2031
5.8.2 Middle East & Africa Beer Kegs Sales Value by Country (%), 2024 VS 2031
6 Segmentation by Key Countries/Regions
6.1 Key Countries/Regions Beer Kegs Sales Value Growth Trends, 2020 VS 2024 VS 2031
6.2 Key Countries/Regions Beer Kegs Sales Value
6.2.1 Key Countries/Regions Beer Kegs Sales Value, 2020-2031
6.2.2 Key Countries/Regions Beer Kegs Sales Volume, 2020-2031
6.3 United States
6.3.1 United States Beer Kegs Sales Value, 2020-2031
6.3.2 United States Beer Kegs Sales Value by Type (%), 2024 VS 2031
6.3.3 United States Beer Kegs Sales Value by Application, 2024 VS 2031
6.4 Europe
6.4.1 Europe Beer Kegs Sales Value, 2020-2031
6.4.2 Europe Beer Kegs Sales Value by Type (%), 2024 VS 2031
6.4.3 Europe Beer Kegs Sales Value by Application, 2024 VS 2031
6.5 China
6.5.1 China Beer Kegs Sales Value, 2020-2031
6.5.2 China Beer Kegs Sales Value by Type (%), 2024 VS 2031
6.5.3 China Beer Kegs Sales Value by Application, 2024 VS 2031
6.6 Japan
6.6.1 Japan Beer Kegs Sales Value, 2020-2031
6.6.2 Japan Beer Kegs Sales Value by Type (%), 2024 VS 2031
6.6.3 Japan Beer Kegs Sales Value by Application, 2024 VS 2031
6.7 South Korea
6.7.1 South Korea Beer Kegs Sales Value, 2020-2031
6.7.2 South Korea Beer Kegs Sales Value by Type (%), 2024 VS 2031
6.7.3 South Korea Beer Kegs Sales Value by Application, 2024 VS 2031
6.8 Southeast Asia
6.8.1 Southeast Asia Beer Kegs Sales Value, 2020-2031
6.8.2 Southeast Asia Beer Kegs Sales Value by Type (%), 2024 VS 2031
6.8.3 Southeast Asia Beer Kegs Sales Value by Application, 2024 VS 2031
6.9 India
6.9.1 India Beer Kegs Sales Value, 2020-2031
6.9.2 India Beer Kegs Sales Value by Type (%), 2024 VS 2031
6.9.3 India Beer Kegs Sales Value by Application, 2024 VS 2031
7 Company Profiles
7.1 Blefa (Artemis Group)
7.1.1 Blefa (Artemis Group) Company Information
7.1.2 Blefa (Artemis Group) Introduction and Business Overview
7.1.3 Blefa (Artemis Group) Beer Kegs Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
7.1.4 Blefa (Artemis Group) Beer Kegs Product Offerings
7.1.5 Blefa (Artemis Group) Recent Development
7.2 THIELMANN
7.2.1 THIELMANN Company Information
7.2.2 THIELMANN Introduction and Business Overview
7.2.3 THIELMANN Beer Kegs Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
7.2.4 THIELMANN Beer Kegs Product Offerings
7.2.5 THIELMANN Recent Development
7.3 Zhejiang Ningbo Major Draft Beer Equipment
7.3.1 Zhejiang Ningbo Major Draft Beer Equipment Company Information
7.3.2 Zhejiang Ningbo Major Draft Beer Equipment Introduction and Business Overview
7.3.3 Zhejiang Ningbo Major Draft Beer Equipment Beer Kegs Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
7.3.4 Zhejiang Ningbo Major Draft Beer Equipment Beer Kegs Product Offerings
7.3.5 Zhejiang Ningbo Major Draft Beer Equipment Recent Development
7.4 SCHAFER Container Systems
7.4.1 SCHAFER Container Systems Company Information
7.4.2 SCHAFER Container Systems Introduction and Business Overview
7.4.3 SCHAFER Container Systems Beer Kegs Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
7.4.4 SCHAFER Container Systems Beer Kegs Product Offerings
7.4.5 SCHAFER Container Systems Recent Development
7.5 Lightweight Containers BV
7.5.1 Lightweight Containers BV Company Information
7.5.2 Lightweight Containers BV Introduction and Business Overview
7.5.3 Lightweight Containers BV Beer Kegs Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
7.5.4 Lightweight Containers BV Beer Kegs Product Offerings
7.5.5 Lightweight Containers BV Recent Development
7.6 Petainer
7.6.1 Petainer Company Information
7.6.2 Petainer Introduction and Business Overview
7.6.3 Petainer Beer Kegs Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
7.6.4 Petainer Beer Kegs Product Offerings
7.6.5 Petainer Recent Development
7.7 Dolium (Dispack Projects NV)
7.7.1 Dolium (Dispack Projects NV) Company Information
7.7.2 Dolium (Dispack Projects NV) Introduction and Business Overview
7.7.3 Dolium (Dispack Projects NV) Beer Kegs Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
7.7.4 Dolium (Dispack Projects NV) Beer Kegs Product Offerings
7.7.5 Dolium (Dispack Projects NV) Recent Development
7.8 Ningbo BestFriends Beverage Containers
7.8.1 Ningbo BestFriends Beverage Containers Company Information
7.8.2 Ningbo BestFriends Beverage Containers Introduction and Business Overview
7.8.3 Ningbo BestFriends Beverage Containers Beer Kegs Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
7.8.4 Ningbo BestFriends Beverage Containers Beer Kegs Product Offerings
7.8.5 Ningbo BestFriends Beverage Containers Recent Development
7.9 Shinhan Industrial.
7.9.1 Shinhan Industrial. Company Information
7.9.2 Shinhan Industrial. Introduction and Business Overview
7.9.3 Shinhan Industrial. Beer Kegs Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
7.9.4 Shinhan Industrial. Beer Kegs Product Offerings
7.9.5 Shinhan Industrial. Recent Development
7.10 PolyKeg S.r.l.
7.10.1 PolyKeg S.r.l. Company Information
7.10.2 PolyKeg S.r.l. Introduction and Business Overview
7.10.3 PolyKeg S.r.l. Beer Kegs Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2020-2025)
7.10.4 PolyKeg S.r.l. Beer Kegs Product Offerings
7.10.5 PolyKeg S.r.l. Recent Development
8 Industry Chain Analysis
8.1 Beer Kegs Industrial Chain
8.2 Beer Kegs Upstream Analysis
8.2.1 Key Raw Materials
8.2.2 Raw Materials Key Suppliers
8.2.3 Manufacturing Cost Structure
8.3 Midstream Analysis
8.4 Downstream Analysis (Customers Analysis)
8.5 Sales Model and Sales Channels
8.5.1 Beer Kegs Sales Model
8.5.2 Sales Channel
8.5.3 Beer Kegs Distributors
9 Research Findings and Conclusion
10 Appendix
10.1 Research Methodology
10.1.1 Methodology/Research Approach
10.1.1.1 Research Programs/Design
10.1.1.2 Market Size Estimation
10.1.1.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation
10.1.2 Data Source
10.1.2.1 Secondary Sources
10.1.2.2 Primary Sources
10.2 Author Details
10.3 Disclaimer
TABLE OF FIGURES
List of Tables
List of Figures
KEY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED BY THE REPORT
Related Reports
The global Beer Kegs market size was US$ 1219 million in 2025 and is forecast to reach a readjusted size of US$ 1775 million by 2032 with a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period 2026-2032.
Published Date: 2026-01-04
Pages: 80
USD 4250.00
(Single User License)
The global Beer Kegs market was valued at US$ 1219 million in 2025 and is anticipated to reach US$ 1775 million by 2032, at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2026 to 2032.
Published Date: 2026-01-04
Pages: 126
USD 2900.00
(Single User License)
The global market for Beer Kegs was estimated to be worth US$ 1219 million in 2025 and is projected to reach US$ 1775 million, growing at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2026 to 2032.
Published Date: 2026-01-04
Pages: 101
USD 3950.00
(Single User License)
The global Beer Kegs market size was US$ 1160 million in 2024 and is forecast to a readjusted size of US$ 1690 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period 2025-2031.
Published Date: 2025-09-10
Pages: 79
USD 4250.00
(Single User License)
The global Beer Kegs market is projected to grow from US$ 1160 million in 2024 to US$ 1690 million by 2031, at a CAGR of 5.6% (2025-2031), driven by critical product segments and diverse end‑use applications, while evolving U.S. tariff policies introduce trade‑cost volatility and supply‑chain uncertainty.
Published Date: 2025-08-08
Pages: 142
USD 4900.00
(Single User License)
In 2024, the global market size of Beer Kegs was estimated to be worth US$ 1160 million and is forecast to reach approximately US$ 1690 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period 2025-2031.
Published Date: 2025-03-28
Pages: 122
USD 5900.00
(Single User License)
The global market for Beer Kegs was valued at US$ 1160 million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of US$ 1690 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period.
Published Date: 2025-01-18
Pages: 87
USD 2900.00
(Single User License)
Beer kegs are made of stainless steel, PET, or less commonly, of aluminum. A keg is the small barrel which is used for storing and transporting products such as beverages which includes alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverages, Cooking oil and Chemicals. Alcoholic beverages include alcohol types such as beer, wine, spirits and cider. The main reason for storing the alcoholic beverages in the kegs is that it maintains the original flavor and quality of the beer over a long period of time.
Published Date: 2024-04-17
Pages: 173
USD 5600.00
(Single User License)
Beer kegs are made of stainless steel, PET, or less commonly, of aluminum. A keg is the small barrel which is used for storing and transporting products such as beverages which includes alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverages, Cooking oil and Chemicals. Alcoholic beverages include alcohol types such as beer, wine, spirits and cider. The main reason for storing the alcoholic beverages in the kegs is that it maintains the original flavor and quality of the beer over a long period of time.
Published Date: 2024-04-16
Pages: 149
USD 5900.00
(Single User License)
Beer kegs are made of stainless steel, PET, or less commonly, of aluminum. A keg is the small barrel which is used for storing and transporting products such as beverages which includes alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverages, Cooking oil and Chemicals. Alcoholic beverages include alcohol types such as beer, wine, spirits and cider. The main reason for storing the alcoholic beverages in the kegs is that it maintains the original flavor and quality of the beer over a long period of time.
Published Date: 2024-04-07
Pages: 106
USD 4900.00
(Single User License)
The global Beer Kegs market size was US$ 1219 million in 2025 and is forecast to reach a readjusted size of US$ 1775 million by 2032 with a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period 2026-2032.
Published: 2026-01-04
Pages: 80
The global Beer Kegs market was valued at US$ 1219 million in 2025 and is anticipated to reach US$ 1775 million by 2032, at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2026 to 2032.
Published: 2026-01-04
Pages: 126
The global market for Beer Kegs was estimated to be worth US$ 1219 million in 2025 and is projected to reach US$ 1775 million, growing at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2026 to 2032.
Published: 2026-01-04
Pages: 101
The global Beer Kegs market size was US$ 1160 million in 2024 and is forecast to a readjusted size of US$ 1690 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period 2025-2031.
Published: 2025-09-10
Pages: 79
The global Beer Kegs market is projected to grow from US$ 1160 million in 2024 to US$ 1690 million by 2031, at a CAGR of 5.6% (2025-2031), driven by critical product segments and diverse end‑use applications, while evolving U.S. tariff policies introduce trade‑cost volatility and supply‑chain uncertainty.
Published: 2025-08-08
Pages: 142
In 2024, the global market size of Beer Kegs was estimated to be worth US$ 1160 million and is forecast to reach approximately US$ 1690 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period 2025-2031.
Published: 2025-03-28
Pages: 122
The global market for Beer Kegs was valued at US$ 1160 million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of US$ 1690 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period.
Published: 2025-01-18
Pages: 87
Beer kegs are made of stainless steel, PET, or less commonly, of aluminum. A keg is the small barrel which is used for storing and transporting products such as beverages which includes alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverages, Cooking oil and Chemicals. Alcoholic beverages include alcohol types such as beer, wine, spirits and cider. The main reason for storing the alcoholic beverages in the kegs is that it maintains the original flavor and quality of the beer over a long period of time.
Published: 2024-04-17
Pages: 173
Beer kegs are made of stainless steel, PET, or less commonly, of aluminum. A keg is the small barrel which is used for storing and transporting products such as beverages which includes alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverages, Cooking oil and Chemicals. Alcoholic beverages include alcohol types such as beer, wine, spirits and cider. The main reason for storing the alcoholic beverages in the kegs is that it maintains the original flavor and quality of the beer over a long period of time.
Published: 2024-04-16
Pages: 149
Beer kegs are made of stainless steel, PET, or less commonly, of aluminum. A keg is the small barrel which is used for storing and transporting products such as beverages which includes alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverages, Cooking oil and Chemicals. Alcoholic beverages include alcohol types such as beer, wine, spirits and cider. The main reason for storing the alcoholic beverages in the kegs is that it maintains the original flavor and quality of the beer over a long period of time.
Published: 2024-04-07
Pages: 106
REPORT COVERAGE
DESCRIPTION
OVERVIEW
MARKET SEGMENTATION
CHAPTER OUTLINE
QYRESEARCH'S STRENGTHS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF FIGURES
RLEATED REPORTS
INTEREST IN THIS REPORT?
Get A Free Sample
Request For Quotation
OR
NEED A CUSTOMIZED REPORT?
Customized Report
Request Sample
Pre-Order Enquiry
Add to Cart
Buy Now