Breathable Films Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Raw Material (Polyester, Polyethylene), By Film Type (Microporous, Microvoided), By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global breathable films market size was valued at USD 18.23 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3% from 2023 to 2030. The growing demand from consumers for hygienic types across the globe is expected to propel the market in the coming years. Breathable films are majorly used in various end-uses such as feminine hygiene, adult incontinence types, surgical drapes, and diapers. It is used in various end-use industries such as food packaging, medical, construction, sports apparel, and others, owing to their properties including UV stability, dispersion, extended shelf life, processability, and breathability level.

The U.S. is expected to dominate the breathable film industry over the forecast period owing to the growing awareness of health and hygiene across the population. The positive change in consumer attitudes toward personal and hygienic types post-Covid-19 is likely to boost the breathable film industry in the country. The use of breathable film materials in sports apparel is additionally expected to expand to the realm of breathable films in the sports industry.

Europe is also expected to show significant growth owing to the high demand from the healthcare & medical and construction sectors. Germany was the leading plastic producer in Europe in 2020. The country is self-sufficient in plastic typeion with an adequate number of plants and typeion capacity required to fulfill local demand. Moreover, the country supplies Polyethylene polypropylene, and other types to neighboring countries due to its high quality and large typeion base. The aforementioned factors are likely to boost the market across the region over the coming years.

Raw Material Insights

The polyester resin segment dominated the overall market while accounting for over 34% of the total demand in 2022. Polyester exhibits moisture resistance, durability, and strength, making it suitable for use in the manufacturing of diapers, sanitary napkins, masks, and others.

The polyethylene (PE) segment is also expected to grow at a steady pace over the forecast period. Polyethylene films are mainly used in building and construction, medical, and sports apparel. Furthermore, advancements in the research and development (R&D) sector and manufacturing technology across the major regions of construction sites are expected to fuel the polyethylene (PE) demand in the breathable film industry.

Another raw material majorly used is polypropylene (PP), which is mostly known for its properties including heat & fatigue resistance, rigidity, and low density, which make it suitable for end-uses related to medical, industrial, and construction

End-Use Insights

The packaging segment emerged as the dominant end-use segment in the market, accounting for more than 39% market share in 2022. Breathable films find usage in food packaging, medical instruments, and consumer goods among others. Breathable films are widely used in the packaging of beverage bottles, apparel, food preparations, electronic components, and other areas where moisture control is a requisite.

Another end-use segment is the medical & healthcare industry which is expected to grow at a steady pace over the forecast period. Breathable film demand surged during the covid-19 pandemic, due to their usage in masks, gloves, and general medical textiles came to prominence due to the latter’s essential utility in the maintenance of hygiene standards in medical/HMO environments.

Film Type Insights

The non-porous films segment emerged as the dominant end-use segment for the breathable films industry accounting for more than 63% market share in 2022. Such significant consumption can be attributed to the usage of types such as diapers, napkins, sanitary types, and clothing apparel. The properties of non-porous films such as high permeability, strength, vapor transmission, and bacteria & virus resistance make it widely preferable over microporous and microvoided films.

The microporous film type is predicted to witness a steady growth rate over the forecast period. The increasing demand for microporous film materials across industries such as consumer goods and medical, due to their versatile properties such as low thermal connectivity and interconnected pores makes it suitable for manufacturing sports apparel, gym wear, and hygiene types.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific is characterized by a rapidly evolving landscape for heavy manufacturing, food & beverages, clothing & apparel, and healthcare consumables. The region accounted for 29% of the global revenue share in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% over the forecast period. Additionally, strengthening supply chain logistics for various commodities in Southeast Asia will provide an impetus for the growth in demand for breathable films in packaging end-uses.

The increase in technological advancement in the plastic industry to make it more environment-friendly has fueled market growth in North America. In this region, Mexico holds the highest market share and is the fastest-growing country. The increasing R&D activities, and growing textile, packaging, medical, and building & construction industries are some of the prominent factors driving the breathable films industry in the region.

Germany is anticipated to be the fastest-growing market, in Europe, in terms of both value and volume in 2021. High economic growth and an increase in the building & construction industry are boosting the market in the country. The factors contributing to the growth of the breathable films industry in Europe are reimbursement policies; the implementation of favorable government initiatives; growing per capita income; increasing investments in the construction industry.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Companies are rapidly expanding their typeion capacities to consolidate their market position. For instance,in January 2020, Berry Global Group, Inc., expanded its typeion capacity for hygiene, healthcare, and specialty film types in North America. To meet the expanding market demands for sustainable types and breathable film in the North American region, the company has invested in both extrusion and printing capabilities.

With government support in various countries focused on environmental concerns, as well as the evolving consumer-enterprise transactions in textiles, automotive and packaging industries, industry players are pushed to focus on consumer-specific positioning strategies for higher penetration in the local markets. Some prominent players in the global breathable films market include:

• Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

• Arkema

• Berry Global, Inc

• Fatra, a.s.

• Kimberley - Clark

• Nitto Denko Corporation

• Rahil Foam Pvt. Ltd.

• RKW North America, Inc.

• SILON s.r.o

• SKYMARK

• Daika Kogyo

• American Polyfilm

• Innovia Films

• Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

• Omya AG

Breathable Films Market Report Scope

Global Breathable Films Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2019 to 2030. For the purpose of this study,

• Raw Materials Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Polyester

  • Polyethylene

  • Polypropylene

  • Others

• Film Type Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Microporous

  • Microvoided

  • Non-porous

• End-Use Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Personal Care & Hygiene

  • Medical & Healthcare

  • Building & Construction

  • Industrial Protective Apparels

  • Packaging

  • Sports Apparels

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

    • Italy

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • Malaysia

    • Indonesia

    • Thailand

  • Central and South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa

    • GCC Countries

    • South Africa