Plastic Films & Sheets Market by Type (LLDPE, LDPE, HDPE, BOPP, CPP, PVC, PES, PA), Application (Stretch Films, Shrink Films, Bags, Pouches, Wraps), End-use industry (Packaging, Non-packaging), and Region - Global Forecast to 2028
Plastic Films & Sheets Market Overview
The plastic films & sheets market is projected to reach USD 182.5 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 5.4% from USD 140.0 billion in 2023. Plastic films and sheets are versatile materials widely used in both packaging and non-packaging applications. In packaging, they provide a barrier against moisture, oxygen, and contaminants, preserving the freshness of food and extending shelf life. They are also employed in protective packaging, shrink wrap, and flexible pouches. In non-packaging applications, plastic films and sheets find use in agriculture (greenhouses), construction (vapor barriers), and medical industries (sterile packaging), among others, owing to their durability, flexibility, and protective qualities.
Attractive Opportunities in the Plastic Films & Sheets Market
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Plastic Films & Sheets Market Dynamics
Driver: Rapid globalization & urbanization
Globalization and urbanization are pivotal factors driving the escalating demand for plastic sheets and films. As the global population increasingly gravitates toward urban centers, there arises an amplified need for contemporary infrastructure, efficient transportation networks, and a diverse range of consumer products. Plastic sheets and films are integral to these urban developments, serving as essential materials in construction for innovative building solutions, in transportation for crafting lightweight yet durable components, and in consumer goods for efficient packaging and product enhancements. As urban areas continue their expansion and modernization efforts, plastic materials remain indispensable for delivering cost-effective, versatile, and sustainable solutions that align with the imperatives of globalization and urbanization.
Restraint: Limited infrastructure facilities for recycling
Within the plastic sheets and films market, a significant hurdle emerges from the insufficient recycling infrastructure, particularly concerning certain plastics like multilayer films. Multilayer films, often used for packaging purposes due to their barrier properties and versatility, contain various layers of different plastics, making them technically complex to recycle efficiently. So, this translates into increased operational costs and logistical complexities for plastic film manufacturers and recyclers. The absence of a comprehensive recycling system for multilayer films means that a significant portion of these materials ends up in landfills or incineration, contributing to environmental concerns and potentially exposing businesses to regulatory scrutiny. Moreover, it hampers the industry's sustainability efforts, as recycling is a pivotal component of reducing plastic waste and mitigating its environmental impact.
Opportunity: Untapped opportunities in emerging markets
The growing packaging industry in emerging countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC), offers immense growth potential in the plastic films & sheets market in the coming years. These markets are characterized by rapid urbanization, industrialization, and a rising middle class, all of which contribute to increased demand for various products and packaging solutions. In 2019, BRIC economies captured around 21% share of the world packaging market. Packaging sales in emerging markets are expected to grow as the demand for consumer goods drives the need for more sophisticated packaging. The increasing disposable income of consumers and the changing lifestyles are also expected to drive the market for plastic films & sheets in emerging nations. Plastic films & sheets are the main packaging materials used in the BRIC nations.
Rural areas in India still have a substantial untapped market for the food packaging industry. Moreover, increasing demand for microwavable food in urban India drives the sales of films & sheets in the country.
Brazil leads the demand for plastic films & sheets in South America. It shows immense potential for growth in the sale of plastic films. Recently, a Brazilian company developed plastic films that inactivate the Coronavirus. In addition, the construction sector in these markets is booming, necessitating extensive use of plastic sheeting and films for applications like roofing, insulation, and cladding. As new infrastructure projects and housing developments continue to sprout, the demand for these materials is set to surge.
Challenge: Vulnerability in raw material cost
Raw material costs and availability, particularly in the realm of petroleum-based polymers, present a persistent challenge in the plastic films and sheets market. The industry's reliance on petroleum-derived feedstocks makes it susceptible to the whims of global oil markets, where price fluctuations can be sudden and substantial. These fluctuations, in turn, directly impact the cost structure of plastic film and sheet manufacturing, putting pressure on profit margins. Additionally, the availability of specific raw materials can be subject to geopolitical factors and supply chain disruptions, further intensifying challenges related to sourcing reliable and cost-effective inputs.
Plastic Films & Sheets Market: Ecosystem
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, and MarketsandMarkets Analysis
"LLDPE type was the largest segment for plastic films & sheets market in 2022, in terms of value."
Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) plastic films and sheets are a prominent choice in various industries. Their exceptional flexibility, durability, and resistance to impact make them ideal for packaging solutions, including stretch wraps, industrial bags, and food packaging. LLDPE films excel in load stability, reducing product damage and ensuring cost-effective transportation. In construction, LLDPE sheets are used as protective barriers and liners. These materials offer a competitive advantage due to their cost-efficiency, sustainability, and adaptability.
"Non-packaging application was the second largest end-use industry for plastic films & sheets market in 2022, in terms of value."
Plastic films and sheets find extensive non-packaging applications in diverse industries. They serve as protective barriers in construction, used as vapor barriers, roofing membranes, and liners. In agriculture, plastic films and sheets contribute to greenhouse insulation and crop protection. In healthcare, plastic films are used for sterile packaging. Automotive and aerospace sectors rely on them for interior and exterior components. These versatile materials provide durability, flexibility, and resistance to environmental factors, making them indispensable for businesses seeking innovative solutions in construction, agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing industries.
"Asia Pacific was the fastest growing market for plastic films & sheets in 2022, in terms of value."
Asia Pacific was the fastest growing market for global plastic films & sheets market, in terms of value, in 2022. China is the largest market in Asia Pacific. India is projected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period considering of high usage of plastic films and sheets in the region for various application.
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Key Market Players
The key players in this market Amcor PLC (Switzerland), Berry Global Group, Inc. (US), Sabic (Saudi Arabia), Toray Industries, Inc. (Tokyo), Sealed Air Corporation (US), Uflex (India), Toyobo Co. Ltd. (Japan), Jindal Poly Films Ltd. (India), Dupont Teijin Films (US), Oben Holding Group (Peru),.Continuous developments in the market—including new partnership, mergers & acquisitions, agreements, and expansions—are expected to help the market grow. Leading plastic films & sheets manufacturers have opted for investment & expansion to sustain their market position.
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Report Metric |
Details |
Years considered for the study |
2019-2028 |
Base Year |
2022 |
Forecast period |
2023–2028 |
Units considered |
Volume (Kiloton); Value (USD Billion) |
Segments |
Type, Application, End-use Industry and Region |
Regions |
Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and South America |
Companies |
Amcor PLC (Switzerland), Berry Global Group, Inc. (US), Sabic (Saudi Arabia), Toray Industries, Inc. (Tokyo), Sealed Air Corporation (US), Uflex (India), Toyobo Co. Ltd. (Japan), Jindal Poly Films Ltd. (India), Dupont Teijin Films (US), Oben Holding Group (Peru) |
This report categorizes the global plastic films & sheets market based on type, application, end-use industry and region.
Based on type, the plastic films & sheets market has been segmented as follows:
- LLDPE
- LDPE
- HDPE
- BOPP
- CPP
- PVC
- PES
- PA
- Others
Based on application, the plastic films & sheets market has been segmented as follows:
- Stretch Films
- Shrink Films
- Bags
- Pouches
- Wraps
- Others
Based on end-use industry , the plastic films & sheets market has been segmented as follows:
- Packaging
- Non-packaging
Based on region, the plastic films & sheets market has been segmented as follows:
- Asia Pacific
- Europe
- North America
- Middle East & Africa
- South America
Recent Developments
- In August 2023, Amcor has recently disclosed its strategic move to acquire Phoenix Flexibles, a move aimed at bolstering Amcor's production capabilities within the rapidly expanding Indian market. This move will immediately increase Amcor’s capacity to satisfy continued high demand.
- In May 2023, Amcor, Delterra, Mars, and P&G have collaboratively unveiled a strategic alliance aimed at addressing the issue of plastic pollution in Global South. These prominent international companies will collaborate to expand both upstream and downstream initiatives in support of a circular plastics economy. Together, they are pledging a combined investment of USD 6 million over a span of five years.
- In December 2022, Amcor has officially announced the opening of its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Huizhou, China. With a substantial investment of close to USD 100 million, this sprawling 590,000-square-foot facility now claims the title of the largest flexible packaging plant in China, in terms of production capacity. This development significantly bolsters Amcor's capability to meet the increasing demand from its clientele across the Asia Pacific region.
- In May 2023, Berry Global Group, Inc. Peel Plastic Products Ltd., and ExxonMobil have jointly announced a strategic partnership aimed at incorporating International Sustainability and Carbon Certificate (ISCC) PLUS certified-circular plastics into the packaging of household pet food brands. This collaboration harnesses ExxonMobil's ExxtendTM technology for advanced recycling, enabling the conversion of plastic waste into new food-grade packaging materials using a mass balance methodology.
- In May 2023, Sabic has formed a strategic partnership with Estiko Packaging Solutions and Coldwater Prawns of Norway to collaboratively create and deploy an exceptionally sustainable packaging solution for frozen prawns. This innovative pouch is crafted from a multi-layer film, skillfully manufactured by Estiko Packaging Solutions, utilizing Sabic PP QRYSTAL, a circular certified random polymer grade. This particular polymer incorporates approximately 60% ocean-bound plastic (OBP) content.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What is the expected growth rate of the plastic films & sheets market?
The forecast period for the plastic films & sheets market in this study is 2023-2028. The plastic films & sheets market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4 %in terms of value, during the forecast period.
Who are the major key players in the plastic films & sheets market?
Amcor PLC (Switzerland), Berry Global Group, Inc. (US), Sabic (Saudi Arabia), Toray Industries, Inc. (Tokyo), Sealed Air Corporation (US), Uflex (India), Toyobo Co. Ltd. (Japan), Jindal Poly Films Ltd. (India), Dupont Teijin Films (US), Oben Holding Group (Peru), are the leading manufacturers of plastic films & sheets.
What are some of the strategies adopted by the top market players to penetrate emerging regions?
The major players in the market use expansion, acquisitions, and partnership, as important growth tactics.
What are the drivers and opportunities for the plastic films & sheets market?
Increased demand across various end-use industries is driving the market during the forecast period. Untapped opportunities in emerging markets acts as an opportunity during the forecast period.
Which are the key technology trends prevailing in the plastic films & sheets market?
The key technologies prevailing in the plastic films & sheets market include active & intelligent packaging and nanotechnology. .
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The study involved four major activities in estimating the market size of the plastic films & sheets market. Exhaustive secondary research was done to collect information on the market, the peer market, and the parent market. The next step was to validate these findings, assumptions, and sizing with industry experts across the value chain through primary research. Both top-down and bottom-up approaches were employed to estimate the complete market size. Thereafter, the market breakdown and data triangulation procedures were used to estimate the market size of the segments and subsegments.
Secondary Research
In the secondary research process, various secondary sources have been referred to for identifying and collecting information for this study. These secondary sources include annual reports, press releases, investor presentations of companies, white papers, certified publications, trade directories, certified publications, articles from recognized authors, gold standard and silver standard websites, and databases.
Secondary research has been used to obtain key information about the value chain of the industry, monetary chain of the market, the total pool of key players, market classification and segmentation according to industry trends to the bottom-most level, and regional markets. It was also used to obtain information about the key developments from a market-oriented perspective.
Primary Research
The plastic films & sheets market comprises several stakeholders in the value chain, which include raw material suppliers, plastic films manufacturers, and end users. Various primary sources from the supply and demand sides of the plastic films & sheets market have been interviewed to obtain qualitative and quantitative information. The primary interviewees from the demand side include key opinion leaders in end-use sectors. The primary sources from the supply side include manufacturers, associations, and institutions involved in the plastic films & sheets industry.
Primary interviews were conducted to gather insights such as market statistics, data of revenue collected from the products and services, market breakdowns, market size estimations, market forecasting, and data triangulation. Primary research also helped in understanding the various trends related to technology, raw material, application type, end-use industries, and region. Stakeholders from the demand side, such as CIOs, CTOs, and CSOs were interviewed to understand the buyer’s perspective on the suppliers, products, component providers, and their current usage of plastic films & sheets and outlook of their business which will affect the overall market.
The breakdown of profiles of the primary interviewees is illustrated in the figure below:
Note: Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 companies are classified based on their market revenue in 2022 available in the public domain, product portfolios, and geographical presence.
Other designations include consultants and sales, marketing, and procurement managers.
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Company Name |
Designation |
Amcor PLC |
Individual Industry Expert |
Berry Global Group, Inc. |
Sales Manager |
Sabic |
Director |
Toray Industries, Inc. |
Marketing Manager |
Jindal Poly Films, Ltd. |
R&D Manager |
Market Size Estimation
The top-down and bottom-up approaches have been used to estimate and validate the size of the plastic films & sheets market.
- The key players in the industry have been identified through extensive secondary research.
- The supply chain of the industry has been determined through primary and secondary research.
- All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources.
- All possible parameters that affect the markets covered in this research study have been accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to obtain the final quantitative and qualitative data.
- The research includes the study of reports, reviews, and newsletters of the key market players, along with extensive interviews for opinions with leaders such as directors and marketing executives.
Plastic Films And Sheets Market: Bottum-Up Approach
Note: All the shares are based on the global market size.
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, and MarketsandMarkets Analysis
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Plastic Films & Sheets Market: Top-Down Approach
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the total market size from the estimation process explained above, the overall market has been split into several segments and sub-segments. To complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the exact statistics for all the segments and sub-segments, the data triangulation and market breakdown procedures have been employed, wherever applicable. The data has been triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both the demand and supply sides. Along with this, the market size has been validated by using both the top-down and bottom-up approaches and primary interviews. Hence, for every data segment, there have been three sources—top-down approach, bottom-up approach, and expert interviews. The data was assumed correct when the values arrived from the three sources matched.
Market Definition
Plastic films, known for their thin and seamless polymeric composition, offer a wide array of practical applications. When these plastics are thicker, they are commonly referred to as "sheets." These films are employed to create separations, enclosures, protective shields, and printable surfaces. They are indispensable in sectors such as packaging, label manufacturing, construction, landscaping, electrical component production, as well as in fields like photography, cinema, and video production.
Key Stakeholders
- Senior Management
- End User
- Finance/Procurement Department
- R&D Department
Report Objectives
- To define, describe, and forecast the size of the plastic films & sheets market, in terms of value and volume.
- To provide detailed information regarding the major factors (drivers, opportunities, restraints, and challenges) influencing the growth of the market
- To estimate and forecast the market size based on type, end-use industry, and region.
- To forecast the size of the market with respect to major regions, namely, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America, along with their key countries
- To strategically analyze micromarkets1 with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the overall market
- To analyze opportunities in the market for stakeholders and provide a competitive landscape of market leaders.
- To track and analyze recent developments such as expansions, new product launches, partnerships & agreements, and acquisitions in the market.
- To strategically profile key market players and comprehensively analyze their core competencies.
Available Customizations
Along with the given market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations according to the company’s specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:
Regional Analysis
- Further breakdown of a region with respect to a particular country or additional application
Company Information
- Detailed analysis and profiles of additional market players
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