ARTICLES

  • The increased demand for controlled agricultural activities; along with growing food demand coupled with decreasing arable land drives the market for agricultural films. Agricultural films - largely classified as mulch film, silage film and greenhouse film - help in increasing productivity in water scare areas and in harsh climatic conditions; increasing the crop output per hectare. Asia-Pacific holds a significant share in this market. Asia Pacific is expected to maintain its dominance in the global market owing to steady growth in China and India. The market for agricultural films is experiencing slow growth in Europe and North America due to maturing of these economies. The European market is saturated due to decreasing arable land and the stringent regulation that forbid the use of plastic films in agriculture. To know more about the latest trends in this sector, the factors impacting growth, regions of high growth, the challenges faced, etc, read Global agricultural films market to grow at over 5.5% on increasing demand from Asia-Pacific
  • International experts reported that farm output needs to double by 2050. As food security becomes a global issue, plastics can be used in developing sustainable, high levels of production. Some of the developments in plastics used in agriculture include the effect of UV absorbers on film resistance to pesticides, improvements by way of thinner PE silage film with an EVOH layer, EVOH used in fumigation films, coextruded EVA-PE films in greenhouse and tunnel use, biodegradable plastics used in mulch films, masterbatch for biodegradable plastics and other agricultural films, nets over the mulch can provide more stability for the plants and also reduce tearing of the films. To know more about the latest trends and developments, read Developments in agricultural films as farm output targeted to double by 2050
  • Fumigation film is a flexible film used to provide both moisture barrier and fumigant vapor barrier in applications where the soil intended for the intensive cultivation of fruits and vegetables undergoes a pre-plant chemical sterilization or fumigation. The fumigation is needed to control soil borne pathogens such as nematodes, as well as bacteria, fungi and weeds. The use of fumigants is an effective method to produce high quality vegetables, fruits and cut flowers. To know more about these films that can maximize production acres significantly impacting your overall bottom line, read Advances in barrier films reduces emissions of volatile pesticides and fumigants in crop production
  • Agricultural films are used for mulch, greenhouse covers, wrapping bales, silo bunker covers, silage bags, bale wrap, greenhouse covers, haylage covers, row covers, and mulch film. Players in this sector face challenges with many conflicting trends. While plastic films can undoubtedly contribute to improved efficiency and output, growing concerns about film waste and disposal is leading to growing interest in the use of biodegradable materials. The traditional method of discarding agricultural waste was to take it to landfills, be burned or buried, often on farm property; is being discontinued. Several other methods are being put into practice to cope with recycling of agricultural plastic waste. Read more in Amid growing concerns of disposal, recycling of agricultural plastic waste gaining in USA
  • Despite a marginal increase in population, Europe's agricultural sector is forced to produce more food of increasing quality on less land within a shorter space of time using less resources, while generating minimum waste. Extending the growing season and increasing yields per hectare of land have been and will remain the main drivers for the use of agricultural films. The European market for agricultural film has been experiencing steady growth over the past decade exceeding half a mln tons in 2013. However, there is still a lack of sustainable and practical disposal concepts in majority of European countries. A recently-formed working group s working on the development of new, forward-thinking solutions to address this issue. Read more in Consumption of agricultural film in Europe and solution for recycling of agri plastics