Report Scope:
High-performance films can be defined in any of several ways: by volume, price, performance, end-use markets, resin types, or a combination of two or more of these characteristics.
For this study, high-performance films are defined as thin-gauge, mostly extruded, or solution-cast polymer sheets that generally meet at least one of the following criteria: pricing above commodity film levels, continuous-use temperature above commodity plastics, and end-uses requiring technical capability and thickness at or below 30 mils. These are films that are primarily selected for their performance characteristics, not their price. Emphasis is on those markets and products where opportunities are the greatest.
Therefore, the distinguishing characteristics of high-performance films are as follows -
- Relatively expensive.
- Thin gauge (compared to sheet).
- Possess special performance characteristics.
- Significant applications outside of the packaging.
High-performance films generally are fabricated (or converted) in relatively small volumes (at least compared to commodity films). Much of their value is created after the film is extruded.
The focal point is on high-performance resins and their chemistries, including the following
- Polyesters, primarily PET. (Note: PET is used interchangeably with “polyester” throughout this report.)
- Polyolefin-based specialty film resins.
- Nylons (more properly and chemically called polyamides).
- Polycarbonates (PCs).
- Bioplastics, a newer group of plastics.
- Fluoropolymers.
- Acrylic films based on PMMA chemistry.
- Polyimides (PIs).
- Cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs).
- Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN).
- Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs).
- Polysulfones.
- Polyetherimides.
The publisher also introduces some newer film resins whose markets at present are too small to measure with any precision. These include polyketones, benzocyclobutenes, and polyacetals.
Basic polyolefins, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), are not included in our scope since they are true commodities used in commodity film applications like grocery and garbage bags. Also excluded are other commodity resins like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene.
Specialty polyolefin-based films are included, primarily and particularly when multilayer construction is involved. These specialty films are ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), ionomers, polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), and polymethyl pentene (PMP).
Fluoropolymer films are an important focus of this report. They include the following -
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
- Polyvinyl fluoride (PVF).
- Fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP).
- Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE).
- Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF).
- Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA).
- Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE).
- Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE).
Although the geographic scope of this report is the U.S. market, it also includes some international discussion, for example of foreign-owned firms that are active in these markets.
The market estimates are by resin volumes in millions of pounds, and these estimates are rounded to the nearest million pounds. The numbers are rounded to millions since market estimates, which integrate so many products and applications, many of which are similar and can overlap, are by nature just that - estimates - and thus not precise beyond millions of pounds, if that. Many applications markets for particular films are small, less than a million pounds, but precision here is not greater than that for larger numbers, and numbers are round up to 1 million those estimated volumes greater than a half-million. Also, compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) for table entries with small volumes may not agree exactly with the 2019 and 2025 volumes; this is again caused by rounding.
The Report Includes:
- 21 data tables and 10 additional tables
- An overview of the U.S. market for high-performance films
- Analyses of market trends with data from 2019, estimates for 2020 and projections of CAGRs through 2025
- Identification of trends affecting high-performance polymer films and market analysis of the various applications
- Explanation of the major drivers and regional dynamics of the high-performance films industry and a look at the recent developments and market investments
- Highlights of current and future market potential and a detailed analysis of the current market trends, market size, and regulatory scenarios
- Market share analysis of the leading suppliers of the industry and detailed company profiles of major players in the market, including BASF Corp., Dow Chemical Co., Honeywell International Inc., Mitsubishi Polyester Film Inc., Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, and Toray Plastics (America) Inc.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction
- Study Goals and Objectives
- Reason for Doing This Study
- Intended Audience
- Scope of Report
- Methodology and Information Sources
- Market Breakdown
- Analyst's Credentials
- Custom Research
- Related Reports
Chapter 2 Summary and Highlights
Chapter 3 Market Overview
- Overview
- Overall High-Performance Film Resin Market Estimate
- Polyester Films
- Background
- Other and Specialty Polyesters
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Commercial Factors
- Technical Factors
- PET Film Suppliers
- PET Film Applications
- Types of Polyester Films
- PET Film Processing
- Polyolefin-Based High-Performance Films
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Polyamide (Nylon) Films
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Types of Polyamide Films
- Nylon Film Fabrication
- Nylon Film Applications
- Polycarbonate (PC) films
- Polycarbonate Properties
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Polycarbonate Film Fabrication
- Polycarbonate Film Fabricators
- Polycarbonate Film Applications
- Bioplastic Films
- Bioplastics Properties
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Bioplastic Film Applications
- Fluoropolymer Films
- Fluoropolymer Properties
- Fluoropolymer Film Fabrication
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Acrylic Films
- Suppliers, Trade Names and Applications
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Acrylic Film Fabrication
- Polyimide (PI) films
- Polyimide Film Types and Properties
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Polyimide Film Fabrication
- Polyimide Film Applications
- Colorless Polyimide Films
- Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) Films
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- COC Film Applications
- Polyetherimide (PEI) Films
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- PEI Film Properties
- Polysulfone (PSU) Films
- Commercial Factors
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) Films
- Liquid Crystal Polymer Properties
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN) Films
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- PEN Film Applications
- Other High-Performance Film Resins
- Polyketone Films
- benzocyclobutene (BCB) Films
- Polyacetal Films
Chapter 4 Market Breakdown by Application
- Introduction
- U.S. Market for High-Performance Film Applications
- Packaging
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Food Packaging
- Medical Packaging
- Electrical/Electronics (E/E)
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Electrical Insulation
- Capacitors
- Printed Circuit Boards
- Tape Automated Bonding (Tab)
- Membrane Switches
- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
- Automotive
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Key Automotive Applications
- Release Films
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Key Release Films Applications
- Photographic/Reprographic Films
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Other Definable Markets
- Market Estimate and Forecast
- Aircraft and Aerospace
- Industrial Membranes
- Photovoltaics (PV)
- Other Applications
- Medical (Non-Packaging)
- Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs)
- Clothing
Chapter 5 Plastic Film Fabrication Technology
- Introduction and Overview
- Extrusion and Melt Film Fabrication
- Extrusion
- Melt Film Fabrication
- Blown Films
- Film Casting
- Solvent Casting
- PTFE Fabrication Techniques
- Dispersion Casting
- Paste Extrusion
- Peeling
- Film Drawing
- Multilayer Lamination and Coxtrusion
- Lamination
- Coextrusion
- Barrier Technology
- Moisture
- Oxygen and Other Gases
- Light
- Odors and Others
- Barrier Films
- Nanocomposite Barriers
- Polymer and Film Orientation
- Competitive Processes, Methods and Products
Chapter 6 Industry Structure and Competitive Factors
- Introduction and Overview
- Integrated Film Fabricators
- Vertical Integration
- Horizontal Integration
- Nonintegrated Film Fabricators
- Captive Consumption
- Industry Concentration
- Key Players
- End-User Film Selection Criteria
- Performance
- Cost
- Replacement of Other Materials
- New Applications or New Procedures
- Clarity and Other Appearance Factors
- Imported Products
- Material Availability
- Environmental and/or Social Criteria
- Product Differentiation/Market Substitution
- Better Properties
- Different Grades
- Competition from Other Performance Films
- Competition from Commodity Films
- New Film Structures
- Substitution for and by Nonplastic Materials
- Marketing
- Distribution
- Direct Sales
- Pricing and Profitability
Chapter 7 Company Profiles
- 3M Co. (Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Co.)
- AGC Chemicals Americas Inc.
- Ajedium Films
- Altuglas International
- American Durafilm Co. Inc.
- Arkema Inc.
- Basf Corp.
- Bemis Company Inc.
- Biaxis Packaging Sales Inc.
- Berry Global Group Inc.
- Coorstek
- Covestro Llc
- Daikin America Inc.
- Dewal Industries Inc.
- Dow Chemical Co.
- Dupont
- Dupont Teijin Films U.S. Limited Partnership
- Eastman Chemical Co.
- Eastman Kodak Co.
- Ensinger/Penn Fibre
- Evonik Corp.
- Filmquest Group Inc.
- Filmtech Corp.
- The Griff Network
- Honeywell International Inc.
- Innovia Films Inc.
- Invista Inc.
- Kaneka Texas Corp.
- Klockner Pentaplast Of America Inc.
- Knf Corp.
- Kuraray America Inc.
- M&Q Plastic Corp./M&Q Plastic Products Inc.
- Mitsubishi Polyester Film Inc.
- Mitsui Chemicals America Inc.
- Multifilm Packaging Corp.
- Nordson Extrusion Dies Industries Llc
- Parkinson Technologies Inc.
- Piedmont Plastics Inc.
- Polyonics Inc.
- RMS Packaging/Aurora Special Effect Films
- Rowland Technologies Inc.
- Sabic Innovative Plastics
- Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics
- Sekisui Specialty Chemicals America Llc
- Skc Inc.
- Soarus Llc
- Soliant Llc/Akzo Nobel
- Solutia Performance Films
- Spartech Corp./Polyone Designed Structures And Solutions Llc
- Transcontinental Advanced Coatings
- Tekni-Plex Inc./Tekni-Films
- Topas Advanced Polymers Inc.
- Toray Plastics (America) Inc.
- Tredegar Film Products Corp./Terphane
- Ube America Inc.
- Unitika America Corp.
- Victrex Usa Inc.
- Welch Fluorocarbon Inc.
- Westlake Plastics
- Wiman Corp.
- Winpak Ltd.
- Zeon Chemicals LP
Chapter 8 Appendix: List of Acronyms
List of Tables
Summary Table: Overall U.S. Market Volumes of High-Performance Films, by Resin, Through 2025
Table 1: U.S. Market Volumes of High-Performance Films, by Resin, Through 2025
Table 2: Market Segments of High-Performance Films
Table 3: U.S. Market for Polyester Films, by Application, Through 2025
Table 4: Domestic Polyester Film Producers
Table 5: Polyester (PET) Film Applications
Table 6: U.S. Market Volumes of Polyolefin-Based High-Performance Films, by Resin, Through 2025
Table 7: U.S. Market Volumes of Polyolefin-Based High-Performance Films, by Application, Through 2025
Table 8: U.S. Market Volumes of Polyamide (Nylon) Films, by Application, Through 2025
Table 9: U.S. Market Volumes of Polycarbonate Films, by Application, Through 2025
Table 10: U.S. Market Volumes of High-Performance Bioplastic Films, by Application, Through 2025
Table 11: Fluoropolymer Names and Acronyms
Table 12: U.S. Market Volumes of Fluoropolymer Films, by Application, Through 2025
Table 13: U.S Market Volumes of Fluoropolymer Films, by Resin, Through 2025
Table 14: U.S. Market Volume for Acrylic Films, by Application, Through 2025
Table 15: U.S. Market Volumes of Polyimide Films, by Application, Through 2025
Table 16: U.S. Market Volumes of Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) Films, by Application, Through 2025
Table 17: U.S. Market Volumes of Polysulfone Films, by Application, Through 2025
Table 18: U.S. Market Volumes of Polyethylene Naphthalate (PEN) Films, by Application, Through 2025
Table 19: U.S. Market Volumes of High-Performance Films, by Application, Through 2025
Table 20: U.S Market Volumes of High-Performance Packaging Films, by Resin, Through 2025
Table 21: Flexible Food Packaging: Fabrication Processes, Applications and Structures
Table 22: Rigid Food Packaging: Fabrication Processes, Applications and Structures
Table 23: U.S Market Volumes of Electrical/Electronic High-Performance Films, by Resin, Through 2025
Table 24: U.S Market Volumes of Automotive High-Performance Films, by Resin, Through 2025
Table 25: U.S Market Volumes of Release Films, by Resin, Through 2025
Table 26: U.S. Market for Other Definable High-Performance Films, by Application, Through 2025
Table 27: Process Technology Milestones for High-Performance Films
Table 28: Key Aspects of High-Performance Film Fabrication
Table 29: Top 20 U.S. High-Performance Film Producers
Table 30: List of Acronyms
List of Figures
Summary Figure: Overall U.S. Market Volumes of High-Performance Films, by Resin, 2019-2025
Samples
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Executive Summary
High-performance (HP) thin films as those films that are higher in cost than commodity films and are used in applications that require high strength, temperature resistance, or some other strong performance attribute. These films find significant use in applications other than packaging; however, the packaging is still the largest overall end-use for several of the HP films.
The HP film market is made up of several resin classes. The largest are polyesters (almost exclusively PET films), polyolefin-based polymers such as EVOH and PVdC, polyamides (nylons), polycarbonates, fluoropolymers, acrylics, and polyimides. As a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak, high-performance film operation was reduced in the first five months of 2020. The supply chain was disrupted, and downstream plants were also shut in compliance with trade restrictions imposed by regional governments. After the lifting of the global lockdown, the high-performance film market is likely to witness resumed demand in the second half of 2020. The market in 2020 is estimated to record a slightly lower revenue compared to that of 2019. However, this effect will be reversed in 2021, and revenue will be close to 2019. By 2022, the market is likely to witness growth in revenue.
The following are the main HP film resins and their primary applications:
- Polyesters, the dominant HP films, find use in most applications markets and account for most of the HP film in such end uses as release films, office products, and hot stamping films. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) makes up almost all of the polyester film market. The packaging is the largest PET film market, as it is for several HP films. Polyesters make up more than half of the total HP film market.
- Polyolefin-based films are EVOH, ionomers, PVdC, PVOH, EVA, and PMP. Packaging, primarily food packaging, is the primary end-use for these films.
- Polyamide (nylon) films find major application in food packaging for their strength and good barrier properties.
- Bioplastic films, relatively new and growing products, find most applications in packaging and electrical/electronics (E/E) markets.
- Polycarbonate films, often thicker than films made of other materials, are primarily used in the automotive instrument panel, E/E, signs and displays, and building/construction markets.
- Eight different fluoropolymer films exist, and all find at least some use as HP films. Four of them (PTFE, FEP, PVF, and PVdF) account for most usage at present. E/E, release films and industrial membranes are major markets. Acrylic films, made from PMMA-type resins, find most applications in automotive and building/construction markets.
- Polyimides are the highest priced major HP film resins and are used for their excellent high temperature and flame resistance and good electrical properties. E/E applications are the largest segment.
- Other definable film materials and markets include cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystal polymers (LCPs), polysulfones, and polyetherimides. Other polymers with still-developing markets include polyketones, benzlocyclobutene, and polyacetal films. They have diverse applications, with packaging and E/E again being the most important.
Companies Mentioned
- 3M Co. (Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Co.)
- Agc Chemicals Americas Inc.
- Ajedium Films
- Altuglas International
- American Durafilm Co. Inc.
- Arkema Inc.
- Basf Corp.
- Bemis Company Inc.
- Berry Global Group Inc.
- Biaxis Packaging Sales Inc.
- Coorstek
- Covestro Llc
- Daikin America Inc.
- Dewal Industries Inc.
- Dow Chemical Co.
- Dupont
- Dupont Teijin Films U.S. Limited Partnership
- Eastman Chemical Co.
- Eastman Kodak Co.
- Ensinger/Penn Fibre
- Evonik Corp.
- Filmquest Group Inc.
- Filmtech Corp.
- Honeywell International Inc.
- Innovia Films Inc.
- Invista Inc.
- Kaneka Texas Corp.
- Klockner Pentaplast Of America Inc.
- KNF Corp.
- Kuraray America Inc.
- M&Q Plastic Corp./M&Q Plastic Products Inc.
- Mitsubishi Polyester Film Inc.
- Mitsui Chemicals America Inc.
- Multifilm Packaging Corp.
- Nordson Extrusion Dies Industries Llc
- Parkinson Technologies Inc.
- Piedmont Plastics Inc.
- Polyonics Inc.
- RMS Packaging/Aurora Special Effect Films
- Rowland Technologies Inc.
- Sabic Innovative Plastics
- Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics
- Sekisui Specialty Chemicals America Llc
- SKC Inc.
- Soarus Llc
- Soliant Llc/Akzo Nobel
- Solutia Performance Films
- Spartech Corp./Polyone Designed Structures And Solutions Llc
- Tekni-Plex Inc./Tekni-Films
- The Griff Network
- Topas Advanced Polymers Inc.
- Toray Plastics (America) Inc.
- Transcontinental Advanced Coatings
- Tredegar Film Products Corp./Terphane
- Ube America Inc.
- Unitika America Corp.
- Victrex Usa Inc.
- Welch Fluorocarbon Inc.
- Westlake Plastics
- Wiman Corp.
- Winpak Ltd.
- Zeon Chemicals LP
