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US demand for specialty films is forecast to rise 4.0% per year to $9.0 billion in 2023. Gains will be fueled by demand for high-value, technologically advanced materials with good barrier properties, controlled permeability, light control, and/or electrical conductivity or resistivity. A healthy outlook for food shipments, where the majority of specialty films are used in packaging applications, will boost demand, as will growth in other packaging applications and construction expenditures. Additionally, advances will result from the development of new applications in degradable packaging, and ongoing growth in laundry and dishwasher detergent “pods” demand, despite well-publicized stories regarding their safety.
Water soluble films are forecast to post the fastest growth through 2023, albeit a slowdown from the double digit pace seen in the previous decade. Consumer trends for convenience will drive ongoing growth in demand for laundry and dishwasher detergent unit dose packaging, or “pods.” The introduction of similar packaging for food ingredients, beverage mixes, and soaps and shampoos will also buoy demand. Consumer calls for more environmentally friendly packaging will drive demand for both water soluble and biodegradable films, forecast to post above average gains through 2023.
The food packaging market accounted for 52% of overall demand in 2018; nearly 95% of those films were barrier films. The development of new technologies, including modified atmosphere packaging and vacuum skin packaging for demanding applications such as meat packaging, will boost growth for barrier films in food packaging. Ethylene vinyl alcohol, nylon, and polyvinylidene chloride films will benefit in particular. Demand will also benefit from the increased use of specialty barrier films in pharmaceutical blister packaging application, particularly fluoropolymer and nylon films in multilayer constructions.
Demand for specialty films in electronics fell in the decade between 2008 and 2018, as the production of photovoltaic modules was negatively impacted by imports from Asian producers. However, demand is expected to rebound through 2023, particularly in conductive and insulative films, as domestic manufacturers expand production capacity. Growth in advanced battery output, due primarily to the onset of production at Tesla’s lithium ion “Gigafactory” in 2017, will lift demand for microporous films used as battery separators. However, the continued dominance of Asian manufacturers in printed circuits and electronic displays will limit stronger gains.
Study Coverage
This Freedonia industry study analyzes the $7.4 billion US specialty film market. It presents historical demand data (2008, 2013, and 2018) and forecasts for 2023 by product (barrier films, microporous films, safety and security films, conductive and insulative films, light control films, water soluble films, biodegradable films), polymer (polyolefin, polyester, nylon, EVOH, polyvinyl butyral, fluoropolymer, PVDC), and market (food packaging, nonfood packaging, personal care product, electronics, transportation equipment, construction). The study also evaluates company market share and analyzes industry competitors including Bemis, Berry Plastics, Charter NEX, DowDuPont, Eastman Chemical, Kloeckner Pentaplast, Kuraray, Mitsubishi Chemical, Printpack, Sealed Air, 3M, Toray, and Winpak.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
OVERVIEW
Key Findings
Scope & Product Description
Factors Impacting Specialty Film Demand
Technology
Raw Materials
Pricing Trends
Historical Market Trends
Regulatory & Environmental Considerations
International Market
Foreign Trade
International Activity
FUNCTIONS
Key Findings
Specialty Film Demand by Function
Barrier Films
Barrier Films: Characteristics & Scope
Barrier Films: Demand Forecast
Oxygen & Other Gas Barrier Films
Moisture Barrier Films
Corrosion Barrier Films
Other Barrier Films
Microporous Films
Microporous Films: Product Description & Scope
Microporous Films: Demand Forecast
Safety & Security Films
Safety & Security Films: Product Description & Scope
Safety & Security Films: Demand Forecast
Safety & Security Films: Selected Suppliers & Products
Interlayer Products
Surface Products
Conductive & Insulative Films
Conductive & Insulative Films: Product Description & Scope
Conductive & Insulative Films: Demand Forecast
Conductive & Insulative Films: Selected Suppliers & Products
Light Control Films
Light Control Films: Product Description & Scope
Light Control Films: Demand Forecast
Light Control Films: Selected Suppliers & Products
Water Soluble Films
Water Soluble Films: Product Description & Scope
Water Soluble Films: Demand Forecast
Water Soluble Films: Selected Suppliers & Products
Biodegradable Films
Biodegradable Films: Product Description & Scope
Biodegradable Films: Demand Forecast
Other Functions
RESINS
Key Findings
Specialty Film Demand by Resin
Polyolefin Films
Polyolefin Films: Product Description & Scope
Polyolefin Films: Demand Forecast
Polyolefin Films: Selected Suppliers & Products
Polyester Films
Polyester Films: Product Description & Scope
Polyester Films: Demand Forecast
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Films
Other Polyester Films
Polyester Films: Selected Suppliers
Nylon Films
Nylon Films: Product Description & Scope
Nylon Films: Demand Forecast
Nylon Films: Selected Suppliers
Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) Films
Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) Films: Product Description & Scope
Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) Films: Demand Forecast
Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) Films: Selected Suppliers
Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) Films
Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) Films: Product Description & Scope
Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) Films: Demand Forecast
Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) Films: Selected Suppliers
Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC) Films
Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC) Films: Product Description & Scope
Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC) Films: Demand Forecast
Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC) Films: Selected Suppliers
Fluoropolymer Films
Fluoropolymer Films: Demand Forecast
Fluoropolymer Films: Selected Suppliers
Other Resins
Other Resins: Product Description & Scope
Other Resins: Demand Forecast
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Films
Bio-Based Polymer Films
Polyimide Films
All Other Specialty Films
MARKETS
Key Findings
Specialty Film Demand Forecast by Market
Food Packaging
Food Packaging: Overview & Scope
Food Packaging: Specialty Film Demand
Meat, Poultry, & Seafood
Snack Food
Produce
Dairy Products
Baked Goods
Candy
Other Food
Nonfood Packaging
Nonfood Packaging: Demand Forecast
Pharmaceutical & Medical
Other Nonfood Packaging
Personal Care Products
Personal Care Products: Overview & Scope
Personal Care Products: Specialty Film Demand
Construction
Construction: Scope & Product Description
Construction: Specialty Film Demand
Windows
Vapor Barriers
Other Construction Applications
Transportation Equipment
Transportation Equipment: Specialty Film Demand
Automotive
Aerospace & Other Transportation Equipment
Electronics
Electronics: Overview & Scope
Electronics: Specialty Film Demand
Displays
Printed Circuits
Batteries & Fuel Cells
Photovoltaic Modules
Other Electronics
Other Markets
Other Markets: Demand Forecast
Health & Medical Products
Bags
All Other Markets
INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
Key Findings & Industry Composition
Market Share
Mergers & Acquisitions
Cooperative Agreements
Marketing & Distribution
Competitive Strategies
List of Industry Participants
APPENDIX
Scope
Definitions
Abbreviations
Freedonia Methodology
Study-Specific Methodology
Sources
Associations & Agencies
Related Studies & Reports
Macroeconomic Assumptions
Economic Environment
Demographics
Manufacturers' Shipments
Construction Expenditures
OVERVIEW
Table 2-1 | Selected Film Technologies
Table 2-2 | Specialty Film Raw Material Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million pounds & million dollars)
Table 2-3 | Specialty Film Market, 2008 - 2018
FUNCTIONS
Table 3-1 | Specialty Film Demand by Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars & million pounds)
Table 3-2 | Barrier Specialty Film Demand by Film Type & Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-3 | Oxygen Barrier Properties of Selected Resins
Table 3-4 | Oxygen & Other Gas Barrier Film Demand by Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-5 | Moisture Barrier Properties of Selected Resins
Table 3-6 | Moisture Barrier Film Demand by Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-7 | Corrosion Barrier Film Demand by Technology, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-8 | Corrosion Barrier Films: Selected Suppliers & Products
Table 3-9 | Other Specialty Barrier Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-10 | Selected Markets & Applications for Microporous Films
Table 3-11 | Microporous Film Demand by Film Type, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-12 | Selected Microporous Film Suppliers & Products
Table 3-13 | Safety & Security Film Demand by Film Type & Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-14 | Interlayer Safety & Security Film Demand by Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-15 | Surface Safety & Security Film Demand by Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-16 | Conductive & Insulative Film Demand by Film Type & Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-17 | Light Control Film Demand by Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-18 | Water Soluble Film Demand by Application, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-19 | MonoSol PVOH Film Capacity Expansions, 2007 - 2018
Table 3-20 | Biodegradable Film Demand by Application, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-21 | Selected Biodegradable Film Suppliers & Products
Table 3-22 | Other Specialty Film Demand By Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 3-23 | Resins, Characteristics, & Applications for Selected Other Specialty Films
RESINS
Table 4-1 | Specialty Film Demand by Resin, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 4-2 | Specialty Polyolefin Films: Selected Resins, Applications, & Advantages & Disadvantages
Table 4-3 | Specialty Polyolefin Film Demand by Function & Resin, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 4-4 | Specialty Polyolefin Films: Selected Suppliers & Products
Table 4-5 | Specialty Polyester Films: Selected Resins, Applications, & Advantages & Disadvantages
Table 4-6 | Specialty Polyester Film Demand by Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 4-7 | Selected Specialty Polyester Film Suppliers
Table 4-8 | Specialty Nylon Film Demand by Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 4-9 | Specialty Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Films: Advantages, Disadvantages, Formulations, & Applications
Table 4-10 | Specialty Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 4-11 | Specialty Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 4-12 | Specialty Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC) Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 4-13 | Specialty Fluoropolymer Film Demand by Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 4-14 | Selected Fluoropolymer Characteristics, Applications, & Selected Suppliers by Resin
Table 4-15 | Other Specialty Film Resins: Characteristics & Applications
Table 4-16 | Other Specialty Film Resin Demand by Resin, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
MARKETS
Table 5-1 | Specialty Film Demand by Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 5-2 | Food Packaging Specialty Film Demand by Application & Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 5-3 | Meat, Poultry, & Seafood Packaging Specialty Films: Selected Packaging Applications & Characteristics
Table 5-4 | Meat, Poultry, & Seafood Packaging Specialty Films: Selected Resins, Characteristics, & Applications
Table 5-5 | Snack Food Packaging Specialty Films: Selected Resins & Characteristics
Table 5-6 | Nonfood Packaging Specialty Film Demand by Application & Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 5-7 | Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 5-8 | Other Nonfood Packaging Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 5-9 | Personal Care Product Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 5-10 | Construction Market for Specialty Film Demand by Application & Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 5-11 | Transportation Equipment Specialty Film Demand by Application & Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 5-12 | Electronics Specialty Film: Selected Segments, Applications, & Characteristics
Table 5-13 | Electronics Specialty Film Demand by Application & Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Table 5-14 | Other Markets for Specialty Film Demand by Application, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
Table 6-1 | US Specialty Film Sales by Company, 2018 (million dollars)
Table 6-2 | Selected Mergers & Acquisitions
Table 6-3 | Selected Cooperative Agreements
APPENDIX
Table 7-1 | Relevant Industry Codes
Table 7-2 | Abbreviations & Acronyms Used in Study
Table 7-3 | US Macroeconomic Indicators, 2008 - 2023 (billion 2012 dollars)
Table 7-4 | US Population & Households, 2008 - 2023 (million persons)
Table 7-5 | US Manufacturers' Shipments, 2008 - 2023 (billion dollars)
Table 7-6 | Construction Expenditures, 2008 - 2023 (billion dollars)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Figure 1-1 | US Specialty Films Market
OVERVIEW
Figure 2-1 | Key Trends In the Specialty Films Market
Figure 2-2 | Specialty Film Demand & Manufacturers' Shipments, 2008 - 2018
FUNCTIONS
Figure 3-1 | Specialty Films Functions
Figure 3-2 | Specialty Film Demand Share by Function, 2018 (billion dollars)
Figure 3-3 | Barrier Specialty Film Demand Share by Film Type & Market, 2018 (billion dollars)
Figure 3-4 | Oxygen & Other Gas Barrier Film Demand Share by Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 3-5 | Moisture Barrier Film Demand Share by Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 3-6 | Corrosion Barrier Film Demand Share by Technology, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 3-7 | Other Specialty Barrier Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 3-8 | Microporous Film Demand Share by Film Type, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 3-9 | Safety & Security Film Demand Share by Film Type, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 3-10 | Interlayer Safety & Security Film Demand Share by Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 3-11 | Surface Safety & Security Film Demand Share by Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 3-12 | Conductive & Insulative Film Demand Share by Film Type, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 3-13 | Light Control Film Demand Share by Market, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 3-14 | Water Soluble Film Demand Share by Application, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 3-15 | Biodegradable Film Demand Share by Application, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
RESINS
Figure 4-1 | Resins Used in Specialty Films
Figure 4-2 | Specialty Film Demand Share by Resin, 2018 (billion dollars)
Figure 4-3 | Specialty Polyolefin Film Demand Share by Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 4-4 | Specialty Polyester Film Demand Share by Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 4-5 | Specialty Nylon Film Demand Share by Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 4-6 | Specialty Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 4-7 | Specialty Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 4-8 | Specialty Polyvinylidene Chloride (PVDC) Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 4-9 | Specialty Fluoropolymer Film Demand Share by Function, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 4-10 | Other Specialty Film Resin Demand Share by Resin, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 4-11 | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 4-12 | Bio-Based Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 4-13 | Polyimide Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 4-14 | All Other Specialty Film Resin Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
MARKETS
Figure 5-1 | Specialty Films Markets
Figure 5-2 | Specialty Film Demand Share by Market, 2018 (billion dollars)
Figure 5-3 | Food Packaging Specialty Film Demand Share by Application, 2008 - 2023 (billion dollars)
Figure 5-4 | Meat, Poultry, & Seafood Packaging Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-5 | Snack Foods Packaging Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-6 | Produce Packaging Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-7 | Dairy Product Packaging Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-8 | Baked Good Packaging Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-9 | Candy Packaging Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-10 | Other Food Packaging Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-11 | Pharmaceutical & Medical Packaging Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-12 | Other Nonfood Packaging Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-13 | Personal Care Product Specialty Film Demand Share by Application, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-14 | Windows Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-15 | Vapor Barrier Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-16 | Other Construction Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-17 | Automotive Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-18 | Aerospace & Other Transportation Equipment Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-19 | Display Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-20 | Printed Circuit Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-21 | Battery & Fuel Cell Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-22 | Photovoltaic Module Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-23 | Other Electronic Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-24 | Health & Medical Product Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-25 | Bag Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
Figure 5-26 | All Other Markets for Specialty Film Demand, 2008 - 2023 (million dollars)
INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
Figure 6-1 | Specialty Film Market Share, 2018 (billion dollars)
Figure 6-2 | Specialty Films: Market Leader
Figure 6-3 | Specialty Films: Second Market Leader
Figure 6-4 | Specialty Films: Third Market Leader
Figure 6-5 | Specialty Films: Fourth Market Leader
Figure 6-6 | Specialty Films: Fifth Market Leader
Figure 6-7 | Specialty Films: Sixth Market Leader
APPENDIX
Figure 7-1 | Annual Population Growth, 2003 - 2018 (percent)
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