Global high barrier packaging film consumption is at approximately 1.76 million tonnes in 2014 with a value of $15.9 billion. This is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% between 2014 and 2019 according to a new market report by Smithers Pira.
The Future of High Barrier Packaging Films to 2019 examines global market trends for high barrier packaging films for the period 2008-13, and also presents forecasts for the five-year period from 2014-19. Market forecasts are presented by high barrier polymer type, packaging product, end-use sector and geographic region.
This report also contains an analysis of industry structure, major market participants, market drivers and trends and cutting-edge technology developments.
In this report, high barrier packaging films are defined as flexible films that are smaller than 250μ in gauge with an oxygen gas transmission rate in the range <5cm3/m2/day (25μ films). Market data in the report includes base webs, plus high barrier film/coating and tie or sealing layers.
According to The Future of High Barrier Packaging Films to 2019, there is a growing demand for packaging materials that give even greater protection to their contents.
This is especially noticeable in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. As plastics have become more and more common, concerns have arisen about their ability to allow the exchange of gases and vapours that can compromise the quality and safety of packaged products.
Therefore, a variety of barrier technologies have been commercialised that preserve, protect and promote; optimise shelf life, reduce the need for preservatives, provide transparency and gloss, and serve as a printing substrate. Without this barrier packaging, perishable goods such as food, beverages and pharmaceuticals would be susceptible to a wide range of deterioration processes.
However, barrier packaging is restricted by factors such as susceptibility to degradation, recycling problems and cost. EVOH, for example, is water sensitive because absorption of atmospheric moisture reduces its barrier properties towards oxygen and carbon dioxide. Mechanical recycling also becomes a problem with multilayer structures containing more than one type of plastic, as they cannot easily be recycled. Environmental pressure groups have also raised concerns about increases in the amount of food packaging, with many companies responding by reducing their packaging.
High barrier films are found in six main flexible packaging products: bags and pouches, stand-up pouches, (retort and non-retort), tray lidding film, forming webs, wrapping film and blister pack base webs.
According to the report, bags and pouches are by far the leading pack type accounting for over half of global high barrier packaging film consumption in 2014. Forming webs and lidding film are the next largest pack types.
Stand-up pouches are forecast to grow at the fastest rate during the five-year period to 2019. Stand-up pouches offer brand owners product differentiation and strengthen brand loyalty, while providing customers with convenience, and the ability to retort and microwave.
Lidding film and forming webs are also set to grow at higher than the market average rate. The trend toward case-ready fresh meat packaged in trays under low-oxygen MAP will drive growth in barrier film lid stock and forming webs. Wrapping film, on the other hand, is forecast to grow at a relatively low rate, mainly as a result of slow growth in key end-use sectors such as baked goods and snack foods.
