Fluoropolymer Films Market Analysis, By Type (PTFE, Polyvinyl Fluoride [PVF], Polyvinylidene Fluoride [PVDF], Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene [FEP]), By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global fluoropolymer film market size was estimated at USD 1.13 billion in 2016. Increasing demand from various application segments due to its excellent properties is expected to be a key growth factor driving the global market over the forecast period.

Fluoropolymer film is a base material which contains carbon and fluorine molecules. It is extensively used in high temperatures and extreme chemical environments to meet the required performance specifications. Fluoropolymer films hold excellent properties such as chemical inertness, superior dielectric properties, optical properties, UV & weather resistance, moisture absorption, and low coefficient of friction.   

U.S. fluoropolymer films market by application, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)

The U.S. market was estimated to be USD 268.4 million in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5% between 2017 and 2025. Increasing demand from various application segments including packaging, construction, automobile, aerospace, electronics, and electrical is fueling the demand. Furthermore, continuous economic development in the country is further driving growth.

Fluoropolymer film market growth can be attributed to increasing demand from different end-uses segments owing to its superior properties. The high precipitation capability of this product allows us to be used as raw material for the production of semiconductors, automotive parts, machines, and electronic parts. It is also used in solar PV modules as front sheets.

Fluoropolymer films are preferred choice, when less expensive plastics and metals fail or where there is a requirement of long terms reliability. The selection of appropriate films begins with the temperature environment of an application. It can be heat sealed, metalized, laminated, thermoformed, and welded to a wide range of materials. It has superior dielectric properties across a wide temperature and frequency range.

However, the high price is anticipated to hinder the growth over the years ahead. Also, the complex manufacturing process involved in the production of the film might act as a challenge to market growth. Despite the high prices of the product, new product offerings, and R&D activities to reduce the production cost is expected to contribute to spur the market over the years ahead.

Type Insights

Based on type, the market has been segmented into polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), and others. The global market was dominated by polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and accounted for 30.9% of the global volume share in 2016.

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a highly non-reactive thermoplastic manufactured by the vinylidene difluoride polymerization process. It offers excellent flexibility, low thermal conductivity, corrosion, and chemical resistance along with high tensile strength. PVDF is widely used as the standard binding material in the production of composite electrodes for lithium-ion batteries.

Polyvinyl Fluoride (PVF) was estimated as the second-largest type in 2016 on account of its excellent mechanical properties, inertness, and staining agents. It is extensively used in various applications where texturing and deep draw are required.

Application Insights

Construction application is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment over the next eight years. Fluoropolymer films are used to laminate a wide range of construction substrates to protect against extreme corrosion, weather, fading, and cracking. In terms of volume, the construction segment is anticipated to witness spur in growth at a rate of 7.3% from 2017 to 2025.

In aerospace applications, these films offer easy-to-clean, attractive, and scuff-resistant surface protection to aircraft interiors. It has excellent resistance to chemicals, harsh cleaners, and solvents. It eliminates the need for repainting and decreases maintenance costs.

An increasing number of deployment and rapid expansion of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules across the globe is expected to fuel the demand for fluoropolymer films over the years ahead. It is extensively used as front sheets solar PV modules. Moreover, it is widely in automotive parts such as power train, chassis, wire cable, and fuel systems.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific accounted for the highest share in terms of volume and revenue in 2016, and this trend is expected to continue over the forecast period. It was estimated at USD 419.2 million in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.6% from 2017 to 2025. Robust growth in the construction industry is anticipated to be the key growth factor fueling the market over the forecast period. Major economies in this region such as China and India are anticipated to offer substantial growth opportunities in the global market over the forecast period.

Global fluoropolymer films market revenue, by region, 2016 (%)

The Asia Pacific was followed by North America in terms of revenue and is expected to grow at a rate of 8.1% from 2017 to 2025. Robust growth in various application segments especially construction is expected to increase the demand over the forecast period. Increasing public and private sector spending for infrastructural development in this region is expected to drive the construction industry, which in turn will have a positive impact on the market.

Competitive Insights

Chemours Company, DAIKIN Industries Ltd, DUNMORE Corp., E. I. Du Pont de Nemours, Polyflon Technology Limited, Saint-Gobain S.A., The 3M Company, The Dow Chemical Company, Textiles Coated International (TCI), Arkema Group, Solvay SA, Evonik Industries, and Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. are some of the key players. These companies are focusing on the development of green fluoropolymers to offer significant growth.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the report

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global fluoropolymer films market based on type, application, and region:

• Type Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Polytetrafluoroethylene

  • Polyvinyl Fluoride

  • Polyvinylidene Fluoride

  • Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Construction

  • Automobile & Aerospace

  • Electronics & electrical

  • Packaging

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa