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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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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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).
Report Metric |
Details |
Years Considered |
2018–2024 |
Base year |
2019 |
Forecast period |
2020–2025 |
Unit considered |
Value (USD), Volume (Square Meter) |
Segments |
Type, Application, and Region |
Regions |
APAC, North America, Europe, South America and Middle East & Africa |
Companies |
Toray Industries (Japan), Mitsui Chemicals (Japan), Berry Global Group (US), Arkema (France), RKW Group (Germany), and Schweitzer-Mauduit International (US). Some of the other leading companies in this 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). |
This research report categorizes the breathable films market on the basis of type, application, and region.
What are the major drivers influencing the growth of the breathable films market?
The major drivers influencing the growth of breathable films are the growing awareness regarding health & hygiene and the increasing usage of breathable films in premium hygiene products in the developing countries
What are the different types of breathable films?
The different types of breathable films are polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, and others.
How are the breathable films segmented in terms of technology?
The breathable films are segmented into microporous and monolithic breathable films
What is the difference between microporous and monolithic breathable films?
The breathability of microporous films depends on the formation of a tortuous path inside the films, which has billions of tiny holes per square centimetre. The size of these holes is smaller than the smallest raindrops and bigger than the largest water molecules. The breathability of monolithic films on the other hand, utilizes continuous hydrophilic laminates with membranes in between which absorb gases and water molecules on one surface, transferring the molecules through the film to release it on the other side.
What are the major end-use applications for breathable films?
The major end-use applications are hygiene & personal care, medical, construction, fabric, food packaging, and others.
What are the biggest restraints for breathable films?
The biggest restraints in the breathable films market are the developed countries seeing stagnant growth in the baby diapers markets.
What are the new opportunities in the breathable films market?
The untapped markets with low penetration rates in hygiene products present new opportunities for the breathable film market. The report answers the untapped markets with both qualitative as well as quantitative information.
Who are the major manufacturers of breathable films?
The major manufacturers of breathable films are Mitsui Chemicals (Japan), Toray Industries (Japan), Covestro (France), and Nitto Denko (Japan).
What are the emerging applications for breathable films?
In the medical industry, breathable films are finding increasing usage due to its characteristics such as permeability, elastics, processability, and strength. The report also answers which technology will see the highest growth in the medical application.
How is the hygiene & personal care market aligned?
The market is expected to see above moderate growth during the forecast period. In the personal & hygiene market, the disposable baby diapers and disposable sanitary napkins will grow at a faster pace in developing economies while the adult diapers will grow in both developed as well as developing economies. .
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Table of Content
1 Introduction
1.1 Objectives of the Study
1.2 Market Definition
1.3 Market Scope
1.3.1.1 Breathable Films Market, By Technology
1.3.1.2 Breathable Films Market, By Type
1.3.1.3 Breathable Films Market, By Application
1.3.1.4 Breathable Films Market, By Region
1.4 Years Considered for the Study
1.5 Currency
1.6 Package size
1.7 Limitations
1.8 Stakeholders
1.9 Summary of Changes (Vs previous version of the report)
2 Research Methodology
2.1 Research Data
2.1.1 Secondary Data
2.1.1.1 Key Data from Secondary Sources
2.1.2 Primary Data
2.1.2.1 Key Data from Primary Sources
2.1.2.2 Key Industry Insights
2.1.2.3 Breakdown of Primary Interviews
2.1.2.4 Data Triangulation
2.2 Market Size Estimation
2.2.1 Market Size Estimation - Demand Side
2.2.2 Market Size Estimation - Based on Backsheet Estimation
2.3 Assumptions
3 Executive Summary
4 Premium Insights
4.1 Attractive Market Opportunities in breathable films Market
4.2 Regional Breathable films Market, By Resin Type and Country
4.3 Breathable films Market, By Type
4.4 Breathable films Market, By Technology
5 Market Overview
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Market Dynamics
5.2.1 Drivers
5.2.2 Restraints
5.2.3 Opportunities
5.2.4 Challenges
5.3 Porter’s Five Forces
5.4 Ecosystem/market map
5.5 Value Chain Analysis
5.6 Trade Analysis
5.7 Average Selling Price Analysis
5.8 Technology Analysis
5.9 Region wise Regulatory Mandates
5.9.1 North America
5.9.2 Europe
5.9.3 APAC
5.9.4 Middle East & Africa
5.9.5 South America
5.10 Forecast Factors Impacting the Growth
5.11 Patent Analysis
5.12 YC, YCC Drivers (analyzing customer’s customers’ impact)
5.13 Macroeconomic Overview
5.14 COVID-19 Impact Analysis
6 Breathable films Market, By Technology- Forecast till 2025 (in Tons and USD Million)
6.1 Micro Porous Film
6.2 Monolithic Film
7 Breathable films Market, By Type- Forecast till 2025 (in Tons and USD Million)
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Polyethylene
7.2.1 Hygiene & Personal Care
7.2.2 Packaging
7.2.3 Others
7.3 Polypropylene
7.4 Polyurethane
7.5 Others (polyether block amide, thermoplastic polyester elastomers (polyether ester), and co-polyamide)
8 Breathable films Market, By Application- Forecast till 2025 (in Tons and USD Million)
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Hygiene & Personal Care
8.2.1 Disposable baby diapers
8.2.2 Disposable incontinency adult diapers
8.2.3 Disposable sanitary napkins
8.2.4 Protective Clothes
8.2.5 Others
8.2.6 Impact of megatrend in the hygiene & personal care segment
8.3 Medical
8.3.1 Impact of megatrend in the medical segment
8.4 Construction
8.4.1 Impact of megatrend in the construction segment
8.5 Fabric
8.5.1 Impact of megatrend in the fabric trend segment
8.6 Food Packaging
8.6.1 Impact of megatrend in the food packaging segment
8.7 Others (Sporting goods and automotive mats)
9 Breathable films Market, By Region – Forecast till 2025 (in Tons and USD Million)
9.1 Introduction
9.2 North America
9.2.1 US
9.2.2 Canada
9.2.3 Mexico
9.3 Europe
9.3.1 Germany
9.3.2 UK
9.3.3 France
9.3.4 Italy
9.3.5 Rest of the Europe
9.4 Asia-Pacific
9.4.1 China
9.4.2 India
9.4.3 Japan
9.4.4 South Korea
9.4.5 Taiwan
9.4.6 Others
9.5 Middle East & Africa
9.5.1 South Africa
9.5.2 UAE
9.5.3 Saudi Arabia
9.5.4 Rest of Middle East & Africa
9.6 South America
9.6.1 Brazil
9.6.2 Argentina
9.6.3 Rest of South America
10 Competitive Landscape
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Company Evaluation Matrix Definition And Technology
10.2.1 Market Share & Industry Tier Structure Analysis
10.2.2 Product Footprint
10.2.3 Star
10.2.4 Emerging Leader
10.2.5 Pervasive
10.3 Company Evaluation Matrix 2019
10.4 Competitive Scenario
10.4.1 Expansions
10.4.2 Acquisitions
10.4.3 New Product launches
10.4.4 Market Strategy Analysis
10.4.5 Revenue Analysis of Top Players
11 Company Profiles
Business Overview, Financials, Impact of Covid-19 on Business Segment, Products & Services, MNM View, Key strength/Right to win, Strategic choices made, weaknesses and competitive threats)*
11.1 Introduction
11.1.1 Clopay Plastic Products
11.1.2 RKW Group
11.1.3 Arkema
11.1.4 Mitsui Chemicals
11.1.5 Toray Industries
11.1.6 Covestro
11.1.7 Nitto Denko
11.1.8 Fatra, a.s.
11.1.9 Schweitzer-Mauduit International
11.2 Startup/SME Evaluation Matrix, 2019
11.3 Startup/New Entrant Profiles
11.3.1 Trioplast Industries AB
11.3.2 Celanese
11.3.3 Rahil Foam Pvt. Ltd
11.3.4 Skymark Packaging
11.3.5 American Polyfilm
11.3.6 Innovia Films
11.3.7 DSM Engineering Plastics
11.3.8 Agiplast
11.3.9 Teknor Apex Company
11.3.10 Daika Kogyo
11.3.11 Sunplac Corporation
The study involved four major activities for estimating the current size of the global breathable films market. Exhaustive secondary research was carried out to collect information on the market, the peer product market, and the parent product group market. The next step was to validate these findings, assumptions and sizes with the industry experts across the value chain of breathable films through primary research. Both the top-down and bottom-up approaches were employed to estimate the overall size of the breathable films market. After that, market breakdown and data triangulation procedures were used to determine the size of different segments and sub-segments of the market.
In the secondary research process, various secondary sources such as Hoovers, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and Dun & Bradstreet, edana.org, associations were referred to identify and collect information for this study. These secondary sources included annual reports, press releases & investor presentations of companies, white papers, certified publications, articles by recognized authors, gold standard & silver standard websites, regulatory bodies, trade directories, and databases.
The breathable films market comprises several stakeholders such as raw material suppliers, technology developers, breathable films companies, and regulatory organizations in the supply chain. The demand side of this market is characterized by the development of the hygiene applications. The supply side is characterized by advancements in technology and diverse application industries. Various primary sources from both the supply and demand sides of the market were interviewed to obtain qualitative and quantitative information.
Following is the breakdown of primary respondents—
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Note: The tiers of the companies are defined on the basis of their total revenue, as of 2019: Tier 1 = >USD 5 billion, Tier 2 = USD 1 billion to USD 5 billion and Tier 3 = <USD 1 billion.
*Others include sales managers, marketing managers, and product managers.
**Others include South America and the Middle East & Africa
Both top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the global breathable films market and to estimate the sizes of various other dependent submarkets. The research methodology used to estimate the market size includes the following:
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The overall market size has been used in the top-down approach to estimate the sizes of other individual markets mentioned in the segmentation through percentage splits derived using secondary and primary sources.
For calculating each type of specific market segment, the size of the most appropriate immediate parent market has been considered for implementing the top-down approach. The bottom-up approach has also been implemented for data extracted from secondary research to validate the market sizes, in terms of value and volume, obtained for each segment.
The exact values of the overall parent and individual markets have been determined and confirmed through the data triangulation procedure and validation of data through primary interviews. The data triangulation procedure implemented for this study is explained in the next section.
After arriving at the total market size through the estimation process explained above, the overall market was split into several segments and sub-segments. The data triangulation and market breakdown procedures were employed, wherever applicable, to complete the overall market size estimation process and arrive at the exact statistics for all segments and sub-segments. The data was triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both the demand and supply sides. In addition, the market size was validated by using both the top-down and bottom-up approaches. Then, it was verified through primary interviews. Hence, for every data segment, there are three sources—top-down approach, bottom-up approach, and expert interviews. The data was assumed to be correct when the values arrived at from the three sources matched.
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