Breathable films Market

The breathable films market is estimated to be USD 2.6 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 3.9 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 8.2% between 2020 to 2025. Rising awareness of health and hygiene and increasing the purchasing power of consumers are the major drivers of the global breathable films market during the forecast period.

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COVID-19 impact on the global breathable films market

Due to the pandemic, demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) kits has grown exponentially from the healthcare workers on the frontline fighting against the virus. Initially, the demand for PPE kit was catered by China, but due to the US-China trade tensions and PPE kits failing quality teste sent by China to India are some factors that led other countries to start local production. This has increased the demand for breathable films as the breathability of PPE kits is one of the critical parameters during quality testing. The breathable films market in 2020 is anticipated to reach USD 2.6 billion, with a growth rate of 7.3%. 

Polyethylene segment is the largest type of breathable films market

Different types of breathable films are polyethylene-based breathable films, polypropylene-based breathable films, polyurethane-based breathable films, and others. The ‘others’ type includes polyether block amide-based breathable films, co-polyamide-based breathable films, and polyether ester-based breathable films. Polyethylene-based breathable films are the most widely used type of breathable films as these are low in cost as compared to any other type of breathable films and have favorable properties such as high absorbency, permeability, and strength.

Medical segment is the fastest-growing application of breathable films market

By application, the breathable films market is classified into six segments, namely hygiene, medical, food packaging, construction, fabric, and others. Hygiene is the largest application industry of breathable films. The growing penetration rate of baby diapers and sanitary napkins in the developing countries is expected to drive the breathable films market in this application. The medical application segment of the breathable films market is expected to be the fastest-growing application during the forecast period. Increased usage of breathable films into surgical drapes and gowns is expected to be the major driver. 

Breathable films market dynamics

Driver: Growing awareness regarding health & hygiene

The adoption of hygiene products in developing countries is low as compared to developed countries such as the US, Canada, Japan, and Western European countries such as Germany, France, the UK, and Italy. In APAC, Africa, and Eastern Europe, the adoption is low due to cultural differences (affecting the consumers’ attitude towards these products), unaffordability due to high price and low per capita income. However, with increasing awareness related to health & hygiene and improving per capita income, the adoption of hygiene products is increasing.

The use of premium hygiene products is increasing significantly, especially in tier-I cities. Hence, the increasing usage of breathable films in premium hygiene products in developing countries is driving the market.

Restraints: stagnant growth in the baby diapers market in the developed countries

The penetration rate of baby diapers is about 95% to 98% in North America, Western Europe, and Japan. The high penetration rate of baby diapers in developed economies is the reason for the slow growth rate of breathable films in the developed economies.

Opportunities: Untapped market with lower penetration

The penetration level of hygiene products in developing countries is still very low. Countries with large populations and high birth rates such as China, India, and Indonesia currently have a very low penetration rate. However, the demand is expected to grow significantly with the increase in per capita income, growing awareness regarding health and hygiene, and changing consumer preference. There is a big prospect for the growth of hygiene products as well as breathable films in emerging countries such as China, India, and Indonesia.

Challenges: Cultural barriers

Although the breathable films market is poised for growth in the next five years, there are certain issues that pose a challenge to market growth. Overcoming these challenges may entail double-digit growth for the breathable films market. The feminine hygiene market in the US and Europe is mature, with a high penetration rate. On the other hand, emerging markets provide an opportunity for growth in this area. Attractive as they may seem, the issue is to overcome the misconceptions surrounding menstruation, which is considered as a disease/taboo in developing countries. The challenge is to educate and uplift women’s social status so that they can have access to hygiene products without difficulty.

BREATHABLE FILMS ECOSYSTEM DIAGRAM

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APAC is estimated to account for the largest market share during the forecast period.

APAC is estimated to be the largest market for breathable films and is also projected to register the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. China is expected to account for the largest share of the market in APAC till 2025. The increasing disposable income & consumption levels and the growing affluence of Chinese consumers will help the hygiene industry to grow stronger in the country. The penetration rate of the disposable baby diaper market in China is lower than in North America and Europe due to reasons such as low awareness, high cost, and social stigma. 

Key Market Players

The key companies profiled in the breathable films market research report are Toray Industries (Japan), Mitsui Chemicals (Japan), Berry Global Group (US), Arkema (France), RKW Group (Germany), and Schweitzer-Mauduit International (US). Other prominent players in the breathable films market are  Covestro (Germany), Nitto Denko (Japan), Trioplast Industries AB (Sweden), Rahil Foam Pvt Ltd. (India), Skymark Packaging (UK), Daika Kogyo (Japan), American Polyfilm (US), and Innovia Films (UK). 

Scope of the report:

This research report categorizes the breathable films market on the basis of type, application, and region. 

On the basis of type:

• Polyethylene-based breathable films
• Polypropylene-based breathable films
• Polyurethane-based breathable films
• Others (Polyether block amide, Co-polyamide, and Polyether ester-based breathable films) 

On the basis of technology:

• Microporous-based breathable films
• Monolithic-based breathable films 

On the basis of application:

• Hygiene & Personal Care
• Medical
• Food Packaging
• Construction
• Fabric (Defence jackets, Protective garments for industrial uses)
• Others (Adventurous sporting goods such as rafts, tents, waterproof camping bags, mattresses, disposable work wear, coverall, jumper, rainwear, and shoe liners) 

On the basis of region:

• North America
• South America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific (APAC)
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)

Recent Developments

• In January 2020, Berry Global Group announced that it has planned to expand its health, hygiene & specialties film business in North America. The planned investment is made to address both extrusion and printing capabilities in order to cater to the growing demand for breathable films in the region. 

• In February 2020, RKW Group launched RoofTopGuard breather, a synthetic roofing underlayment that is breathable and optionally self-adhesive. The new products offer higher permeability and water resistance compared to other breathable products.
• In July 2019, Schweitzer-Mauduit International added a TPU film line at its manufacturing site in Suzhou, China, to support the demand for protective film in China and APAC region.
• In July 2019, Arkema acquired Prochimir SAS, a French company that specializes in high-performance thermobonding adhesive films. Prochimir develops high-performance thermobonding films and breathable membranes that are environmentally friendly. 

Key Questions addressed by the report

• What was the market size of breathable films and the estimated share of each region in 2020, in terms of volume and value?
• What will be the CAGR of the breathable films market in all the key regions during the forecast period?
• What are the new revenue streams for the breathable films market?
• Which type of breathable sheet is preferred most?
• What is the estimated demand for polyethylene breathable films in various applications?
• Who are the major players in the market?
• What is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the breathable films market? 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

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