The global PE films market reached a volume of almost 62.34 MMT in the year 2024. The PE films industry is further expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.80% between 2025 and 2034 to reach a volume of almost 90.52 MMT by 2034.
The global PE films industry is being driven by the significant growth in the Asia-Pacific market, which is expected to grow at the rate of 2-3% in the forecast period of 2025-2034. The Asia-Pacific market is driven by the high end-use demand from the food and beverage sector. The region has excellent potential for suppliers of PE films as the supply base is relatively fragmented in the region. The major suppliers in the region are extending their capacity to cater to the increasing demand. The PE films market is also being driven by the rising end-user demand from the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, particularly from the packaged food industry.
The global PE films market is going through several transformations in the form of advancements and innovations. Down gauged films, also known as thinner gauged films, are becoming popular in the market due to the cost-effectiveness of the product. There has also been a shift from environment harming products such as petroleum-based resin to more sustainable products such as nature-friendly products, like paper-based formats, starch, and biodegradable film options, and many more. The manufacturers are focusing on the customization of the product, based on film types and printing colours, among others, thus, aiding the growth of the PE films market further.
The market for PE films will be dominated by the Asia-Pacific, due to the demand from the end-use industries such as packaged food and beverage packaging applications, invigorating the market growth for PE films. In the next five years, cost containment and sustainability will be the focal points in the product development in the industry. In this segment, the key focus of product development of major manufacturers will be the usage of biodegradable and sustainable films, among others. The PE films market is being driven by its technical properties like its light weight and ease of fabrication.
The packaging industry is focusing more on sustainability, as the demand increases from the developed regions such as North America and Europe. Rising pollution has led the countries in developing regions such as the Asia-Pacific, particularly China and India, to look for a sustainable packaging solution. This has resulted in growing green practices due to anticipated new regulations associated with environmental sustainability to lower the carbon footprint.
Proampac Holdings Inc.
Proampac Holdings Inc., founded in 2015 and headquartered in Ohio, United States, is a prominent manufacturer of foil, flexible film, and fibre packaging solutions. It serves various sectors, including food and beverage, e-commerce, foodservice, grocery and retail, home and personal care, healthcare, pet, and lawn and garden, among others. ProActive Sustainability® provides innovative sustainable flexible packaging products to help customers achieve their sustainability goals.
Berry Global Inc.
Berry Global Inc., established in 1967 and headquartered in Indiana, United States, is one of the largest packaging companies in the world. Employing 40,000 global employees across more than 250 locations, the company partners with its customers to design and manufacture innovative products. It serves diverse markets, including homecare, food and beverages, DIY, healthcare and pharma, agriculture and horticulture, pet care, and beauty and personal care, among others.
Other key players in the PE films market are Klöckner Pentaplast Group, among others.
The global PE films industry is being driven by the significant growth in the Asia-Pacific market, which is expected to grow at the rate of 2-3% in the forecast period of 2025-2034. The Asia-Pacific market is driven by the high end-use demand from the food and beverage sector. The region has excellent potential for suppliers of PE films as the supply base is relatively fragmented in the region. The major suppliers in the region are extending their capacity to cater to the increasing demand. The PE films market is also being driven by the rising end-user demand from the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, particularly from the packaged food industry.
The global PE films market is going through several transformations in the form of advancements and innovations. Down gauged films, also known as thinner gauged films, are becoming popular in the market due to the cost-effectiveness of the product. There has also been a shift from environment harming products such as petroleum-based resin to more sustainable products such as nature-friendly products, like paper-based formats, starch, and biodegradable film options, and many more. The manufacturers are focusing on the customization of the product, based on film types and printing colours, among others, thus, aiding the growth of the PE films market further.
Key Trends and Developments
Innovations in food packaging; growing environmental consciousness; growing demand for Machine Direction Oriented (MDO)-PE films; and technological advancements are favouring the PE films market expansion.December 2024
Berry Global Group, Inc. announced a collaboration with VOID Technologies to commercialise a new high-performance polyethylene (PE) film designed for pet food packaging. The film delivers excellent toughness, strength, and puncture resistance, enabling an all-PE solution ideal for store drop-off recycling while eliminating non-recyclable materials.May 2024
Reifenhäuser Blown Film developed the world’s first MDO-PE film that is 18 micrometers thick and reduces the amount of material used by around 25%. The film exceeds market standards in terms of appearance, mechanical properties, and further processing.January 2024
Charter Next Generation (CNG) announced the expansion of its GreenArrow portfolio with a new line of cavitated polyethylene (PE) films. The recycle-ready films meet the growing demand for flow wrap and confectionery applications.February 2021
Dow signed an MoU with Lucro Plastecycle to launch and develop polyethylene (PE) film solutions using PCR plastics in India. The film solutions are made by processing plastic waste collected through various recycled streams, along with Dow’s virgin resins, to reduce carbon emissions and support brands meet their sustainability goals.Innovations in food packaging
Innovations in food packaging are shaping the PE films market trends and dynamics. Food and beverage manufacturers are preferring high-barrier PE films that can provide superior protection against moisture, oxygen, and light and extend the shelf stability of perishable foods.Growing environmental consciousness
With the growing environmental consciousness, there is a rising demand for PE films made from recyclable polyethylene and plant-based polyethylene (bio-PE). Key players are also adopting circular economy models by reducing waste and promoting recycling. In the forecast period, the introduction of government initiatives aimed at encouraging the adoption of eco-friendly packaging is expected to revolutionise the PE films market landscape.Rising demand for Machine Direction Oriented (MDO)-PE films
MDO-PE films, renowned for their improved tensile strength, puncture resistance, tear resistance, and barrier properties, are gaining significant popularity in packaging applications requiring durable and strong materials that can withstand rough handling and transportation. Moreover, these films are recyclable, which is boosting their appeal in sectors focused on lowering plastic waste.Technological advancements
Advancements in extrusion processes like cast film extrusion and blown film extrusion aimed at enabling the production of PE films with improved strength, uniformity, and thinner profiles are propelling the market. The development of advanced additive technology is expected to surge the creation of high-performance PE films with specialised properties like heat-sealing strength, puncture resistance, and printability for use in applications such as pharmaceutical and e-commerce packaging.Market Segmentation
PE films, an acronym for polyethylene film, is a substrate, which is used in the production of grocery bags and food packaging. In addition, the PE film is usually thermoformed and manufactured into medical packaging, plastic bottles, and other packaging applications.Market Breakup by End Use
- Food & Beverages
- Pharmaceuticals
- Consumer Goods
- Industrial
- Others
Market Breakup by Region
- North America
- Europe
- Asia-Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East and Africa
Market Analysis
The global PE films market is being driven by the rise in the usage of stretch and shrink films. These films are extensively used in packaging and non-packaging applications owing to its physical properties, like stress, tear strength, and durability, among others, thus, aiding the market growth. The demand for food, beverages, and consumer goods products in the developing regions have increased, resulting from the growing urbanisation and inflating disposable income of the middle-class population, which is propelling the demand for PE films in these regions. The manufacturing machineries and production processes in the industry are stimulated with technological innovations, as a consequence of dynamic consumer preference, giving PE films an edge over other competing packaging counterparts, thus, providing an impetus to the market growth of PE films.The market for PE films will be dominated by the Asia-Pacific, due to the demand from the end-use industries such as packaged food and beverage packaging applications, invigorating the market growth for PE films. In the next five years, cost containment and sustainability will be the focal points in the product development in the industry. In this segment, the key focus of product development of major manufacturers will be the usage of biodegradable and sustainable films, among others. The PE films market is being driven by its technical properties like its light weight and ease of fabrication.
The packaging industry is focusing more on sustainability, as the demand increases from the developed regions such as North America and Europe. Rising pollution has led the countries in developing regions such as the Asia-Pacific, particularly China and India, to look for a sustainable packaging solution. This has resulted in growing green practices due to anticipated new regulations associated with environmental sustainability to lower the carbon footprint.
Competitive Landscape
Key PE films market players are focusing on product innovations and developing speciality, high-performance, and lightweight PE films with improved properties such as tensile strength, barrier resistance, and flexibility for use in diverse applications. PE films companies are also capitalising on the growing trend of sustainability by offering biodegradable and recyclable PE films and adopting circular economy models.Amcor plc
Amcor plc, founded in 1896 and headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, is a company that develops and manufactures packaging solutions for different sectors, including medical, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and home and personal care products. The company is focused on developing sustainable, lightweight, reusable, and recyclable packaging solutions that meet the evolving needs of its customers. With 41,000 employees, the company has a presence in nearly 40 countries in the world.Proampac Holdings Inc.
Proampac Holdings Inc., founded in 2015 and headquartered in Ohio, United States, is a prominent manufacturer of foil, flexible film, and fibre packaging solutions. It serves various sectors, including food and beverage, e-commerce, foodservice, grocery and retail, home and personal care, healthcare, pet, and lawn and garden, among others. ProActive Sustainability® provides innovative sustainable flexible packaging products to help customers achieve their sustainability goals.
Coveris Management GmbH
Coveris Management GmbH, headquartered in Austria and founded in 2013, is a prominent European packaging company that manufactures sustainable and flexible solutions. Boasting 30 production sites and 4,100 employees, the company’s annual sales exceed EUR 1 billion.Berry Global Inc.
Berry Global Inc., established in 1967 and headquartered in Indiana, United States, is one of the largest packaging companies in the world. Employing 40,000 global employees across more than 250 locations, the company partners with its customers to design and manufacture innovative products. It serves diverse markets, including homecare, food and beverages, DIY, healthcare and pharma, agriculture and horticulture, pet care, and beauty and personal care, among others.
Other key players in the PE films market are Klöckner Pentaplast Group, among others.
Table of Contents
1 Executive Summary
2 Market Overview and Stakeholder Insights
3 Economic Summary
4 Country Risk Profiles
5 Global PE Films Market Analysis
6 Regional Analysis
7 Global Polyethylene (Feedstock) Market Analysis
8 Market Dynamics
10 Price Analysis
11 Competitive Landscape
Companies Mentioned
The key companies featured in this PE Films market report include:- Amcor plc
- Proampac Holdings Inc.
- Coveris Management GmbH
- Berry Global Inc.
- Klöckner Pentaplast Group
Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 173 |
| Published | August 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 - 2034 |
| Estimated Market Value in 2025 | 62.34 MMT |
| Forecasted Market Value by 2034 | 90.52 MMT |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 3.8% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 6 |
