US demand for plastic film to grow 1.5% pa uptil 2018

US demand for plastic film is expected to grow 1.5% pa from 2013 to 2018 and reach 15.4 billion lbs with a value of US$24.9 bln, according to a new report published by Freedonia Group. The report states that accelerating growth in manufacturing output and disposable incomes ‘bodes well’ for plastic film sales in a wide range of markets with expected price stabilization stemming from elevated plastic resin supply that will improve the cost-competitiveness of plastic film versus other materials. Further, increased penetration of pouches into new markets will also boost demand for plastic film. By material, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) is the largest volume film resin, comprising 45% of total resin usage in 2013, according to the report, and LLDPE will maintain solid growth through 2018. Above average growth is forecast for polypropylene film, driven by its use in packaging for the increasingly popular fresh produce market and its growth in snack food packaging. High density polyethylene (HDPE) film is expected to see minimal growth through 2018, with increasing opposition to single use plastic retail bags offsetting gains in food packaging markets. Polyethylene terephthalate film demand will post near average growth through 2018, with healthy gains in food packaging replacing demand from the declining magnetic tape and photographic film markets. Below average growth is expected for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), hampered by competition in non-food applications such as pharmaceutical and medical products. Degradable plastic resins will experience the highest growth rate of all film types, with falling prices prompting packaging converters to adopt their use. By market, the food packaging market will exhibit the fastest growth in film demand at 2.2% pa over the 2013-2018 period, driven by the expanding popularity of pouches for a variety of food items, as well as the rise of active and intelligent packaging. Non-food packaging will also see solid growth, 1.7% pa in the years from 2013 to 2018, stemming from strong demand for pharmaceutical and medical packaging. Slower annual growth of 1.2% is forecast for non-packaging film due to the maturity of trash bag applications and the decrease in photographic and magnetic film, as these are only partially offset by robust advances for construction film. Secondary packaging will see the slowest gains, at 0.9% annual growth, with flat or negative growth in garment bags and retail bags, although stretch film demand will benefit from a rebound in manufacturing activity.