Mulch Films Market

The mulch films market is estimated at USD 11.02 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 15.13 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 6.5%. The market is expanding because plasticulture practices are becoming more widespread, farmers need to achieve higher crop yields, and there is a requirement for effective soil moisture and temperature control in intensive farming systems. The market shows strong demand from fruits & vegetables and high-value horticultural crops because mulch films provide benefits that include yield improvement, weed control and water-use efficiency enhancement. Biodegradable and sustainable mulch film solutions are increasingly popular because of new government regulations that aim to decrease agricultural plastic waste. The market expansion receives support from polymer manufacturers and specialty film producers and agricultural input companies who develop advanced multilayer films, photoselective materials and biodegradable polymers for better field performance and environmental sustainability.

The agriculture mulch films market has several dominant companies, including BASF SE, Dow, Amcor Plc, Kuraray Co., Ltd., and RKW Group. The global presence of BASF SE remains strong because the company keeps investing in biodegradable polymers and sustainable agricultural film materials, which help create environmentally friendly mulch products for contemporary agricultural practices. Dow boosts its market standing through its invention of advanced polyethylene resins, which include DOWLEX, which produce mulch films that excel in both flexibility, strength and production speed. Through its deep knowledge of flexible packaging and specialty film technologies, Amcor Plc produces agricultural films and sustainable material innovations of superior quality. The company Kuraray Co., Ltd. sells its products through specialty barrier resins, such as EVOH (EVAL), which provide gas-barrier capacity increases to multilayer mulch films, resulting in better fumigation and soil treatment results. The global manufacturing and distribution network of RKW Group enables the company to provide agricultural stretch films and mulch films, which help farmers achieve better crop results, moisture management and weed control in their large-scale farming operations.

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BASF SE (Germany)

BASF SE operates as a top global chemical producer that uses its advanced polymer materials and biodegradable plastic technologies to support the agricultural mulch films market development. The company produces high-performance polymers through its Ecoflex and ecovio product lines, which manufacturers use to create biodegradable mulch films used in farming. The mulch film materials provide soil moisture retention, weed control and soil temperature control functions while they break down into natural substances which create soil nutrients after the harvesting period.

BASF works with film manufacturers and agricultural solution providers to develop sustainable plasticulture solutions for the mulch films market. The company dedicates its efforts to developing compostable and soil-biodegradable materials that meet international environmental regulations through its research and development activities. The BASF innovations, together with its global distribution network, enable the company to deliver environmentally friendly mulch films for high-value crops, including fruits and vegetables and horticultural products.

In March 2024, BASF SE (Germany) launched ecovio mulch film, a soil-biodegradable mulch film developed for sustainable agricultural applications. The product is designed to biodegrade directly in the soil after the cropping cycle, eliminating the need for film collection and disposal while reducing plastic waste in agricultural fields. ecovio mulch film maintains durability throughout the crop cycle, supporting soil moisture retention, weed suppression, and temperature regulation. The solution helps farmers improve operational efficiency while aligning with sustainable farming practices and regulations aimed at reducing conventional plastic use in agriculture.

Dow Inc. (US)

Dow Inc. is a major global supplier of polyethylene resins and specialty polymer materials that are widely used in the production of agriculture mulch films. The company provides advanced resin grades such as DOWLEX™ linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), which enable the manufacture of mulch films with high strength, flexibility, and puncture resistance. These material properties help improve film durability during installation and throughout the crop cycle while supporting efficient soil moisture retention, weed suppression, and temperature regulation in crops such as fruits, vegetables, and horticultural plants.

In the mulch films value chain, Dow focuses on material innovation and sustainable plastic solutions to improve agricultural film performance. The company collaborates with film converters and agricultural technology providers to develop multilayer films, downgauged materials, and recyclable polyethylene-based solutions that reduce material consumption while maintaining field durability. Through its global polymer manufacturing network and R&D capabilities, Dow supports the advancement of high-performance agricultural mulch films used in intensive farming and plasticulture systems worldwide.

In September 2025, Dow Inc. (US) launched DOWSIL™ 5-1050 Polymer Processing Aid, a fluoropolymer-free processing aid designed for film extrusion applications, including agricultural and mulch films. The product is developed to improve polymer processing efficiency by reducing melt fracture and enhancing surface quality during polyethylene film production. By enabling smoother extrusion and improved film consistency, the solution supports manufacturers in producing high-performance agricultural films such as mulch films while aligning with evolving regulatory and sustainability requirements that encourage the use of non-fluoropolymer processing technologies.

Market Ranking

The global agriculture mulch films market features BASF SE, Dow Inc., and RKW Group as major market players. BASF SE uses its research and development strengths together with its worldwide chemical production facilities to create biodegradable polymers such as ecovio®, which serve as essential components in sustainable mulch film solutions that enhance soil health while decreasing agricultural plastic waste. Dow Inc. supports the market through its extensive portfolio of polyethylene resins such as DOWLEX™, which enable the production of mulch films with exceptional durability and flexibility and high-performance qualities for plasticulture systems used in growing fruits, vegetables and high-value crops. RKW Group creates a stronger market position through its production of multiple agricultural films, which include mulch films and greenhouse films, while its global manufacturing plants and distribution networks enable farmers to enhance soil moisture retention, weed control and crop yield across extensive agricultural fields.

Recent developments in the mulch films market demonstrate a clear focus on enhanced efficacy, operational efficiency, and strategic collaborations. In September 2025, Armando Alvarez Group launched Solar Shrink, an advanced solar-shrinkable mulch film for agriculture in the EMEA region. This innovative film improves soil contact and enhances crop productivity by increasing soil temperature, retaining moisture, and suppressing weeds. In February 2024, Novamont S.p.A. launched the biodegradable Mater-Bi® Advanced Mulch Film, designed for crops like fruits and vegetables. It biodegrades in soil after use, reducing plastic waste while providing effective weed control and moisture retention. Dow Inc. produces durable polyethylene mulch films that enhance crop growth, while BASF SE's ecovio mulch film is a biodegradable option that reduces plastic waste and eliminates disposal needs. Both products improve soil moisture retention and weed suppression, supporting sustainable farming practices.

Related Reports:

Mulch Films Market Report by Type (Clear/Transparent, Black Mulch, Colored Mulch, Photo-selective Mulch, Degradable Mulch), Application (Agricultural and Horticulture), Element (LLDPE, LDPE, HDPE, EVA, PLA, PHA), and Region - Global Forecast to 2031

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