Demand for speciality films in the US is expected to grow by 5.2% annually up to 2017, when it will reach USD 8.0 bn, according to a recently published report – “Specialty films” – from US market research group Freedonia (Cleveland, Ohio; www.freedoniagroup.com). Growth will be driven by the increasing need for high-performance plastic films that offer barrier properties, mechanical strength and chemical resistance in packaging applications. Increasing use in small, but high-growth market areas, such as photovoltaic modules and biodegradable packaging, will add to rising demand, as will a rebound in the construction market, the researcher said.

Packaging is the largest market for speciality films, accounting for two-thirds of overall demand. Barrier films have the largest share with over 90% of the market. Growth in barrier film demand will be driven by a rise in the use of vacuum packaging, oxygen scavenging and low-oxygen case-ready technologies in meat packaging, where high-barrier films maintain an optimum atmosphere inside the package. Demand for barrier films will also benefit from the increased use of speciality barrier films in pharmaceutical blister packaging applications. Freedonia predicts that demand for barrier films will increase by 5.1% annually up to 2017, when it will reach USD 5.2 bn, or 60% of the overall speciality films market.

Double-digit annual growth in both residential and non-residential building spending will boost demand for films used in windows for safety and security as well as light control.

Freedonia said that the most rapid growth in speciality films, albeit from a small base, will be in biodegradable and water soluble films, which will see gains as the technologies improve and new applications are developed. Demand for biodegradable films will benefit from environmental concerns and the increased commercialisation of bio-based polymers, while water soluble film demand will see increasing use in pharmaceutical and health products in dissolvable thin film form as well as the introduction of edible, water soluble food packaging.