Global Plastic Films and Sheets Market 2025 – 2034

Reports Description

According to Research Study published by Custom Market Insights (CMI), The Global Polyvinyl Butyral PVB Films Market size was estimated at USD 126.56 billion in 2021 and expected to reach USD 135.75 billion in 2022 and is expected to hit around USD 199.13 billion by 2030, poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.53% from 2022 to 2030.

Plastic films and sheets are thin, flexible sheets of plastic and tiny material less than 10mm in size. It is also called polybags and comprises polyethylene, one of the most important components of plastic packaging. It is lightweight, corrosion, weather, and binding resistant, owing to which it is extensively used for protection, handling, containment, delivery, and presentation of other products, from carrying raw materials to processed goods, from the producer to the end-use customer.

The global plastic films and sheets market is evolving, and companies are now focusing more on strengthening and consolidating R&D activities, thereby increasing the production capacity of plastic films and sheets thus, driving the market growth by catering to the need for plastic films and sheets in various end-use industries.

Growth Factors.

The personal care sector is one of the emerging sectors across the globe where plastic films and sheets are extensively used to protect, preserve, store and transport products such as various skincare and body care products, including soap, lotions, face creams, gels, and moisturizers. The growing demand from the cosmetics and personal care industry in the North America and Asia Pacific region has increased the potential sales of plastic films and sheets in the market. In response, the growing demand for degradable films and technological advancement has surged the demand for the plastic films and sheets market over the outlook period. 

The growing population across the globe, increased number of working women, and rising demand for ready-to-eat packaged food have given way to the plastic films and sheets industry. Rigid plastics are extensively used in the manufacturing of plastic containers. This is projected to propel the growth of the plastic films and sheets market in the upcoming years. In addition, the growing food and beverages worldwide are driving the potential sales of plastic films and sheets. For instance, according to an article published by IBIS World in August 2022, the plastic packaging industry revenue is expected to fall at a compound annual rate of 0.9% over the five years through 2022-23 to £935.4 million. These factors are enhancing the overall growth of the plastic films and sheets market. 

 Moreover, the increased demand for bakery products has given way to the flexible plastic films and sheets market. On the contrary, the growing e-commerce sector and well-established organized retail stores in developed and developing countries have boosted the plastic films and sheets market. Together, these factors are projected to create remunerative opportunities for the future expansion of the plastic films and sheets market.

Plastic films and sheets Market Segmentation

Plastic films and sheets Market, segmented by Product Type 

Depending upon the product type, the plastic films and sheets market is segmented into PA, PVC, BOPP, LDPE/LLDPE, HDPE, and CPP. 

The LDPE/LLDPE product type segment dominated the market in 2021 and is expected to grow over the forecast period, accounting for 42% of the total share. LDPE/LLDPE plastic films and the sheet have attributes such as flexibility, high strength, high puncture and impact resistance provides, and extended shelf life, and is the least expensive among all the plastic films due to which it has gained popularity in the food and beverages industry where it is used in the form of bottles, jars, containers, and many others. This is anticipated to increase the industrial sector’s demand for plastic films and sheets.

HDPE plastic films and sheets are expected to show significant growth during the forecast period. 

Furthermore, the HDPE plastic films and sheets are mostly suitable for a wide range of products, including food, medicine, electronics, toys, personal care items, office stiffs, and among others. 

In response to this, HDPE plastic films are FDA approved, owing to which it is the most preferred plastics by consumers. HDPE plastics are chemical & corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance, low friction coefficient, moisture & odor resistance, and high impact strength. It is an essential component of the construction industry that helps reduce weight and enhances the flexibility of pipes and tanks. This is anticipated to enhance the demand for HDPE plastic films and sheets in the construction industry, thus, creating remunerative opportunities for the market.

Plastic films and sheets Market Segmentation.

Plastic films and sheets Market, a segment based on the Application

Based on Application, the global plastic films and sheets market is studied across packaging and non-packaging. It is expected that the global packaging application segment to hold a dominant position during 2022 -2031. And expected to grow with a total market share of 84.67%. 

The factors such as a rapid shift in lifestyle, the busy schedule of people, and growing trends of ready-to-eat packed food have escalated the demand for various types of plastic films and sheets. It is extensively used to protect and cover material while transporting food. The demand for plastic films and sheets will grow as packaging materials in the cosmetics industry during the forecast period. 

Furthermore, the medical segment is expected to create the most lucrative end-use industry for the non-packaging plastic films and sheets market. The factors such as the growing population across the globe, rise in some diseases, and government initiation & investment in the medical industry are significantly booming the overall growth of the plastic films and sheets where it is used to create medical tools and devices like syringes, insulin pens, surgical gloves, IV tubes, catheters, inflatable splits, and many others. 

The non-packaging segment has positively impacted the plastic films and sheets market and is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. Non-packaging plastic films and sheets find Applications in the industry such as agriculture, medicine, construction, and others. These factors are projected to enhance the overall market growth in the upcoming years. 

Report Scope

Regional Insights

Region-wise, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. 

Asia-Pacific is the dominant region in the plastic films and sheets market. This region is also anticipated to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period, with 43% of the total share. Countries such as China, Japan, India, and others have significantly contributed to the growth of the region’s plastic films and sheets market.

Key factors such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care products, the medical sector, food and beverages, and other end-use industries have surged the demand for plastic films and sheets. Furthermore, the healthcare sector is one of the booming sectors in India. For instance, according to a report published by NITI Aayog in March 2021, India’s healthcare industry has been growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 22% since 2016. This rate is expected to reach USD 372 billion in 2022. These factors together increase the usage of plastic films and sheets in the growing healthcare industry for packaging various healthcare products such as various surgical containers, medical bottles, saline bottles, syringes, and many others.

Moreover, China has a dynamic market for the electronics and food & beverages sector owing to a rise in the population, growing plastic films and sheets plants, rise in import and export trade, and increased demand for food enhanced where plastic films and sheets are predominately used for packaging of ready to eat foods. In addition, the growing chemical industry, and the increase in building and construction activities further impetus the market growth. This is augmented to enhance the demand for plastic films and sheets in the Asia-Pacific region. 

The Europe region has shown considerable growth due to the strong presence of the cosmetics industry, where plastic films and sheets are used in the formulation of various skin care products as it is an excellent source of protective material that helps in preventing the falling of cosmetic products and it helps in maintaining the shelf life of skin care products. 

Moreover, an increase in the utilization of shipping containers and import and export activities across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the LAMEA region has fueled the growth of the industrial packaging segment.

Key Players 

• Toray Industries, Inc.
• British Polythene Ltd.
• Toyobo Co., Ltd.
• Berry Global, Inc.
• SABIC
• Plastic Film Corporation of America
• Sealed Air
• Dow
• DuPont 
• Novolex
• Amcor plc
• UFlex Ltd.

COVID-19 Analysis

The novel coronavirus is an incomparable global pandemic that has spread to over 180 countries and caused huge losses to lives and the economy around the globe. 

The plastic films and sheets market has had little impact due to the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Owing to the rise in cases of COVID-19, implementation of emergency protocols and shutdown of various operations and facilities have been observed during 2020.

Due to the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the manufacturer has faced challenges in terms of operation and supply chain due to government restrictions during the lockdown.  

However, the plastic films and sheets market faced several difficulties with material supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages, in 2020. 

Furthermore, to control the surge of novel coronavirus cases, there is a drastic shift of investments from other sectors toward the packaging sector. Also, several plastic films and sheets-based product manufacturing companies have shut down or shrunk their operations due to the risk of infection among the workforce. 

This has temporarily hampered the demand and supply chain of the plastic films and sheets market. In addition, the falling income of customers has led contraction in demand for glasses, refractory materials, and others during the COVID-19 period.  

In the first quarter of 2021, the market for plastic films and sheets has experienced an increase in the demand for plastic films and sheets chemicals in pharmaceutical, healthcare, household products, and other end-use industry worldwide, compared to 2020. 

Segments covered in the report

By Product Type

• PA
• PVC
• BOPP
• LDPE/LLDPE
• HDPE
• CPP

By Application

• Packaging
• Non-packaging

On the basis of Geography

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America