Plastic Films And Sheets Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (PA, PVC, BOPP, LDPE/LLDPE, HDPE, CPP), By Application (Packaging, Non-packaging), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global plastic films and sheets market size was valued at USD 127.74 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% from 2023 to 2030. The growing demand for plastic films in the agricultural sector is a major growth driver for the industry. Plastic sheets are mainly used in greenhouse construction, mulching, walk-in tunnels, and low tunnel covering in the agricultural sector. HDPE sheet has a variety of applications in the agricultural industry. These films are equipped with multiple rows containing multiple pores, which help plants grow and develop better. They are weather-resistant, highly durable, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, bond-resistant, and waterproof. The increasing demand for processed foods further drives the demand for plastic films and sheets in packaging applications.

Changes in dietary habits, including a growing preference for processed foods, are likely to supplement the demand for plastic films and sheets. In addition, major market players are also involved in producing various types of plastics based on user requirements and the perishability of food. Some countries have imposed strict regulations on the use of plastic films and sheets. There are a number of government and non-governmental organizations in the US and the UK that are committed to supporting a ban on the use of plastics in the packaging and non-packaging industries. In the United States, some governmental and nongovernmental organizations are also involved in discouraging the use of plastic sheets and films in the packaging of organic produce.

Environmental agencies and various plastics associations are constantly working to develop and update recycling specifications, quantities used, the scope of application, and environmental policies for plastic films and sheets, which manufacturers must comply with. Moreover, numerous economies, including India, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Hong Kong impose additional taxes on the use of plastic film in packaging. The strong manufacturing base in the U.S. by global consumer goods manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., and Unilever is expected to boost the demand for plastic packaging in the formulation of personal care products. In addition, growth in the food & beverage industry in North America on account of the ‘on-the-go’ lifestyle of consumers is expected to boost the plastic packaging market over the coming years.

The increasing demand for plastic sheets and films for roof flooring helps limit leaks and protect buildings from extreme heat and low temperatures. It requires a smaller amount of paint and cement for landscaping and gives the ceiling a smooth texture. In large cities such as New York, Seattle, Washington, etc., the use of plastic sheeting has increased, and spending and purchases have increased.

Product Insights

Based on products, the industry has been further divided into LDPE/LLDPE, PVC, PA, BOPP, HDPE, CPP, and others. LDPE/LLDPE was the largest product segment in 2022 and accounted for the largest share of more than 40.00% of the global revenue. LDPE/LLDPE is the dominating product type among all other product types and is expected to continue to dominate during the forecast period. The properties of LDPE/LLDPE films include higher tensile strength and flexibility, as well as higher puncture and impact resistance. Features include high transparency and low barrier, along with the low cost is a major growth contributor to its global market demand.

Common applications for plastic films and sheets include food packaging, textile packaging, and other special applications in tents and outdoor equipment. HDPE is the second-largest product segment in 2022 due to its unique properties including chemical and corrosion resistance, wear resistance, low coefficient of friction, good electrical properties, moisture and odor resistance, and high impact strength. HDPE has been approved by the FDA and is widely used in the food packaging industry, due to its radiation protection capabilities. Whereas borated HDPE is used in nuclear facility applications. HDPE sheets can be extruded with a pebble finish. It is used as a cutting board in various end-use industries, such as slaughtering and meat packaging.

Application Insights

Packaging was the largest application segment in 2022 and accounted for the highest share of more than 83.0% of the global revenue. Plastic films and sheets are becoming increasingly popular in packaging applications across a wide range of industries. Active lifestyles, Demographic changes, and rising sustainability trends are leading the way in the development and innovation of plastics, which in turn provides marketing opportunities for key industries such as consumer goods and food and beverages. The strong manufacturing base in the global industry and growing demand from developing economies in Central and South America and the Asia Pacific are likely to drive industry growth during the forecast period. The non-packaged segment also accounted for a significant revenue share in 2022.

Non-packaging applications of plastic films and sheets market include agriculture, healthcare, construction, and others. Plastic films and sheets are majorly used in the construction industry on account of their unique properties, such as non-corrosiveness, durability, and cheaper costs that make them more compatible for applications, which primarily include interior and exterior covering, ceilings, weatherboarding, roof covering, counter ceilings, and insulation. Plastic films are used to make cephalographers and are used worldwide to manually draw cephalograms while protecting the underlying X-rays.

Orthopedic surgeons and other medical professionals also utilize this film to preserve the quality of the X-ray images. Furthermore, mouth guards and face shields are made from plastic films. Additionally, all the equipment is covered with plastic film during an MRI to prevent any magnetic pull from the MRI machine from attracting anything. LDPE/LLDPE films are frequently used in agricultural applications, primarily in greenhouses, mulching, low tunnel covers, and walk-in tunnels. NIR-blocking films, UV-blocking films, ultra-thermic films, and fluorescent films are just a few of the latest product breakthroughs that the industry is seeing in China along with some encouraging growth.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific was the largest regional market in 2022 and accounted for the highest share of more than 40.00% of the global revenue. The region is anticipated to continue growing at the fastest CAGR, maintaining its top spot during the forecast period. This expansion can be ascribed to the quickly growing food and pharmaceutical sectors in developing nations like China and India. The APAC region's primary growth markets are anticipated to be China, India, and Southeast Asia. The demand for products in the construction, packaging, and electrical & electronics industries will be driven by the expanding manufacturing sector.

The well-established electrical and electronics manufacturing bases in China, Taiwan, and South Korea will further fuel the market's expansion. On the other hand, India's robust chemical sector boosted the country's ability to produce plastic. The expansion of the regional market is being aided by expanding economies, increased urbanization, a thriving manufacturing sector, and rising infrastructure-related activities. Moreover, Rapid GDP growth in nations like India, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines presents a profitable potential for plastic marketers.

In 2022, Europe was the second-largest region, where packaging accounted for the largest application category. Plastic sheets and films used in packaging applications are anticipated to be impacted by the pharmaceutical industry's slowing expansion in Germany, France, and Italy due to the relocation of manufacturing bases to regions with cheap manufacturing costs. However, it is anticipated that rising R&D spending in the pharmaceutical sector in Europe will indirectly support product demand in the upcoming years. Additionally, it is anticipated that the expanding personal care products market in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy will have a favorable effect over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Key players are investing in the development of new technologies while acquiring raw material manufacturers. Agreements and cooperation are also one of the main strategies adopted by the major market players. R&D activities and product lines added due to the addition of new products are expected to have a significant impact on the overall competitive scenario during the forecast period. For instance, in March 2023, Sangeeta Poly Pack Pvt Ltd. one of the manufacturers of plastic products and polypropylene films and sheets launched a polypropylene film which is produced by 50% scrap collected from industrial waste. Some of the prominent players in the global plastic films and sheets market are:

• Toray Industries, Inc.

• British Polythene Ltd.

• Toyobo Co., Ltd.

• Berry Global, Inc.

• SABIC

• Plastic Film Corporation of America

• Sealed Air

• Dow

• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

• Novolex

• Amcor plc

• UFlex Ltd.

Plastic Films And Sheets Market Report Scope

Global Plastic Films And Sheets Market Report Segmentation

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 2023 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global plastic films and sheets market report based on product, application, and region:

• Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • LDPE/LLDPE

  • PVC

  • PA

  • BOPP

  • HDPE

  • CPP

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • Packaging

    • Food

    • Consumer Goods

    • Medical

    • Others

  • Non-packaging

    • Construction

    • Healthcare

    • Agriculture

    • Others

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

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa