Agriculture Films Market Outlook, 2030

Agricultural films are used in a variety of farming methods to increase crop yields, limit weed development, modify soil temperature, and improve crop quality. These goods can also be used to store hay, silage, and maize. Agricultural films are therefore necessary for farmers' cultivation requirements. Agricultural films are tried-and-true methods for precision farming, greenhouse yields, and soil protection. In July 2020, Solvay, in association with UbiQD, collaborated to develop a next-generation agricultural product, including greenhouse films.

Both companies will combine their technical expertise to develop a luminescent greenhouse technology that can create an optimal light spectrum for greenhouses without majorly changing the building & electricity infrastructure. In both indoor and outdoor settings, the plants are protected by the elastic films. Agricultural films' effectiveness and longevity help to increase output. It reduces the effect of hail in areas with excessive rainfall and harsh climates.

Innovations in agricultural films, such as multi-layer coextruded films, UV-resistant coatings, and sensor-integrated films for precision agriculture, are enhancing functionality and efficiency, allowing farmers to better manage microclimates in greenhouses and monitor crop health in real time. Sustainability is also a central focus, with growing demand for biodegradable and recyclable films to reduce environmental impact. In July 2024, Revolution Sustainable Solutions declared the acquisition of Norflex, an agricultural and industrial film product producer. The strategic acquisition is expected to boost Revolution’s capabilities in sustainable agriculture solutions expand its sustainable stretch and shrink film businesses.

Regulatory frameworks in regions like the European Union and India are encouraging the development and adoption of eco-friendly agricultural films, promoting responsible farming while addressing plastic waste concerns. In addition, ongoing research and development efforts are exploring the integration of antimicrobial properties, improved tear resistance, and better light diffusion in films to optimize plant growth and reduce crop losses.

According to the research report “Global Agriculture Films Market Outlook, 2030”, the Global Agriculture Films market is projected to reach market size of USD 21.77 Billion by 2030 increasing from USD 13.68 Billion in 2024, growing with 8.21% CAGR by 2025-30. The shift toward intensive and high-value crop production, including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and nursery plants, which has increased the need for protective films that optimize growing conditions and minimize losses due to weather or pests. Rising labor costs and the push for mechanization are also encouraging the adoption of films that simplify crop management, reduce manual interventions, and improve overall farm efficiency.

Environmental considerations, such as reducing plastic waste and limiting soil contamination, are driving demand for biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable films, particularly in Europe and parts of Asia-Pacific where regulatory frameworks are stringent. Innovation in material science, including the development of co-extruded multilayer films and light-diffusing or anti-drip coatings, allows farmers to tailor solutions to specific crops and climatic conditions, enhancing crop quality and yield uniformity.

Socioeconomic factors, including increasing disposable incomes, urbanization, and the growth of organized retail in emerging markets, are stimulating demand for high-quality produce, thereby indirectly boosting the use of agricultural films to meet market standards. Marketing and promotion have also evolved, with manufacturers emphasizing technical training, field demonstrations, and online advisory platforms to educate farmers on optimal usage, while collaborations with agricultural cooperatives and NGOs facilitate outreach to smallholders who might otherwise lack access to advanced films. In January 2021, Rani Plast launched a new product in the bale wrap range.

The product is manufactured using raw material, which consists of 30% of recycled agricultural bale wrap. Supporting events, such as global and regional trade fairs, technical expos, and knowledge-sharing workshops, provide platforms for introducing innovations, networking, and generating business leads, with notable examples including AgraME in the Middle East and Hortifair in Europe.

Market Drivers

• Water and Soil Management Needs: Water scarcity and soil degradation are major challenges for modern agriculture. Films such as mulch and greenhouse covers help conserve moisture, reduce evaporation, prevent nutrient leaching, and control soil temperature. These practices not only increase yield but also lower dependence on irrigation, fertilizers, and chemical herbicides, creating cost efficiencies for farmers.
• Technological Innovation and Material Advancements: Agricultural films have evolved significantly, offering multi-layered constructions, UV-stabilization, anti-drip coatings, and biodegradable formulations. Innovations in light diffusion, micro-perforation, and infrared-reflective properties allow for more precise crop protection and improved photosynthesis. Such technological improvements attract adoption from both small and large-scale farms globally.

Market Challenges

• Environmental Concerns and Plastic Pollution: Conventional plastic films create significant environmental hazards if not properly collected and disposed of. Residues of non-biodegradable films in soil can affect soil fertility and microbial activity. Growing public awareness and stricter environmental regulations are pressuring manufacturers and farmers to adopt eco-friendly alternatives.
• Raw Material Price Volatility and Supply Chain Issues: The market is heavily dependent on petroleum-based polymers like polyethylene. Volatility in crude oil prices, geopolitical disruptions, and supply chain constraints can affect production costs, leading to market instability and higher product prices.
• Limited Recycling Infrastructure: Even when films are collected after use, recycling infrastructure is often inadequate, especially in developing countries. Collection, cleaning, and reprocessing require investment and expertise, which limits large-scale adoption of recycled films.

Market Trends

• Biodegradable and Eco-Friendly Films: The demand for biodegradable and photodegradable films is increasing rapidly. These films decompose naturally in the soil, reducing plastic pollution and aligning with sustainable farming practices. This trend is particularly strong in Europe and Asia, where regulatory pressures and consumer awareness are high.
• Smart Farming Integration and Precision Agriculture: Agricultural films are increasingly being integrated with sensors, IoT devices, and data-driven systems. Soil moisture sensors, temperature monitors, and climate trackers embedded in film structures allow precision irrigation, automated control, and real-time crop monitoring. These innovations help optimize yields and resource efficiency.
• Specialty and Customized Films: Farmers are adopting films tailored to specific crop needs and climatic conditions. Anti-drip, UV-stable, heat-retentive, and light-diffusing films are becoming more popular, enabling enhanced photosynthesis, reduced disease risks, and higher-quality produce.

LLDPE dominates the global agriculture films market due to its superior strength, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, making it ideal for diverse agricultural applications.

Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) has emerged as the preferred material in the global agriculture films market primarily because it offers an exceptional combination of mechanical properties, adaptability, and economic efficiency. One of the key factors driving its dominance is its high tensile strength and tear resistance, which ensures durability and extended service life in challenging environmental conditions, including strong winds, heavy rainfall, and intense sunlight. Unlike other polyethylene variants, LLDPE has a unique molecular structure that provides uniform stress distribution across the film, allowing it to stretch without breaking, which is crucial for applications such as greenhouse covers, mulching, and silage wrap.

This flexibility also enables easier installation and handling by farmers, reducing labor costs and minimizing material waste. Another significant advantage of LLDPE is its excellent transparency and light transmission, which plays a vital role in greenhouse agriculture by optimizing sunlight penetration and promoting photosynthesis, thereby improving crop yields and quality.

Additionally, LLDPE films can be engineered with various additives, such as UV stabilizers, anti-fog agents, and anti-drip coatings, which enhance their performance under specific climatic conditions, prevent condensation-related crop damage, and extend the functional lifespan of the films, making them highly versatile for different agricultural environments worldwide. Cost-effectiveness further strengthens the material’s market position, as LLDPE is relatively inexpensive to produce and process compared to alternatives like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), allowing manufacturers to offer competitive pricing while maintaining quality standards.

Mulching leads the global agriculture films market because it significantly enhances crop yield, conserves soil moisture, and reduces weed growth, making it essential for modern farming practices.

Mulching has become the dominant application type in the global agriculture films industry due to its proven ability to improve agricultural productivity while promoting sustainable farming practices. This method involves covering the soil surface with a thin film of plastic, typically made from materials like LLDPE, which provides multiple agronomic and environmental benefits that directly impact crop yield and quality. One of the most important advantages of mulching films is their capacity to conserve soil moisture by reducing evaporation, ensuring that plants receive a consistent water supply even under adverse climatic conditions such as droughts or irregular rainfall.

This not only optimizes irrigation efficiency but also lowers water consumption, which is critical in water-scarce regions. Mulching films also create a physical barrier that suppresses weed growth, reducing competition for nutrients, sunlight, and water, which in turn minimizes the need for herbicides and manual labor, leading to cost savings for farmers. Another significant benefit is temperature regulation; mulching helps maintain an optimal soil temperature, which supports faster seed germination, improved root development, and uniform crop growth, particularly in regions with extreme seasonal variations.

Moreover, mulching films can be engineered with specific properties such as UV resistance, biodegradability, and color variations to enhance light reflection or absorption, allowing farmers to tailor their crop microenvironment to maximize photosynthesis and improve produce quality. Environmental sustainability is also increasingly influencing the popularity of mulching, with the adoption of biodegradable and recyclable films helping to reduce plastic waste in agricultural ecosystems.

APAC leads the global agriculture films market due to its vast arable land, high adoption of modern farming techniques, and rising demand for high-yield crops driven by population growth.

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has emerged as the leading market for agriculture films globally, primarily driven by its expansive agricultural landscape, rapidly growing population, and increasing focus on modern farming technologies. Countries such as China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asian nations collectively contribute to a substantial portion of global agricultural output, creating immense demand for advanced solutions that can enhance productivity, crop quality, and sustainability.

One of the critical factors behind APAC’s dominance is the widespread adoption of greenhouse farming, mulching, and other controlled-environment agriculture practices, which rely heavily on high-performance films like LLDPE to maintain optimal microclimates for crops. These films enable efficient water retention, temperature regulation, and weed control, all of which are vital for meeting the region’s escalating food demand. Additionally, the surge in demand for high-value crops, including fruits, vegetables, and cash crops, has accelerated the use of agriculture films, as farmers seek technologies that can maximize yield, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve crop appearance and marketability.

Economic growth in APAC has also increased investment in agribusiness infrastructure, including irrigation systems, greenhouse setups, and precision farming tools, which are often integrated with agriculture films to optimize performance. Policy support from governments further strengthens the market, with subsidies, incentives, and training programs encouraging farmers to adopt modern cultivation methods and innovative film applications. Moreover, the region’s favorable climatic conditions, which include both tropical and temperate zones, necessitate the use of films to protect crops from excessive heat, rainfall, pests, and diseases, making agriculture films indispensable in day-to-day farming operations.

• In February 2025, BASF introduced a new line of biodegradable mulch films under the brand name Ecovio Agro, designed for large-scale vegetable and fruit farming. These films degrade naturally after harvest, eliminating the need for costly film retrieval and disposal.
• In March 2025, Armando Alvarez Group unveiled a multi-layer smart agricultural film embedded with UV stabilizers and infrared blockers. The film enhances crop quality by optimizing light transmission and thermal regulation inside greenhouses.
• In July 2024, BASF introduced Tinuvin NOR 211 AR to assist film producers and converters worldwide in addressing the challenges of plasticulture, which involves the use of plastic materials in agricultural applications. This product provides an effective solution for agricultural plastics exposed to high levels of UV radiation, thermal stress, and inorganic chemicals frequently used in crop management and disinfection processes.
• In February 2024, Revolution Sustainable Solutions, LLC, a pioneer in recycling agricultural plastics, bought PolyAg Recycling, LTD, a prominent Canadian mechanical recycler of agricultural films based in Bashaw, Alberta.
• In February 2024, Berry Global Group, Inc. has opened the new 12,000 square feet Circular Innovation and Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• In January 2024, RKW Group presented film and net solutions with non-wovens for the entire supply chain at Fruit Logistica expo in Berlin. The company showcased a wide range of products ranging from plant cultivation to packaging and transportation. RKW offers a variety of products for plant cultivation, including early harvesting films, non-woven crop covers, and greenhouse films.
• In October 2023, Cotesi, a supplier of agricultural products, declared that it had partnered with Mondi to create a novel mulch film alternative made from paper. Advantage Kraft Mulch was intended to replace plastic mulch films that are not eco-friendly and biodegradable.
• In April 2023, Berry Global Group Inc. expanded its film manufacturing facility in Tennessee to meet the growing demand for its high-performance, sustainable stretch films. The expansion included space for three new cast lines, an upgrade to the facility's existing post-industrial resin (PIR) reprocessing system, and an extension of its rail spur for resin material handling.