Japan Mulch Film Market 2025-2031

Japan Mulch Film market experienced robust growth during the past years, propelled by the country’s shift toward intensive horticulture and protected cultivation, where growers use mulch films for weed suppression, temperature and moisture control, and season extension. The country reports total agricultural output reached high in 2023, registering a YoY growth rate with vegetables and other high-value crops supporting input demand, while Japan’s food exports continued to expand in 2024, with increase in YoY, reinforcing the need for uniform, clean produce that mulching helps deliver.

Demand is anchored by Policy and waste-management regulations, steering the market toward more sustainable films. Japan’s Plastic Resource Circulation Act embeds an approach across design, use, and end-of-life, encouraging design-for-recycling PE and biodegradable options. Recent national data show material/chemical recycling including energy recovery and effective utilization rate in 2023. In parallel, MAFF’s organic push targets organic farmland by 2030 and promotes Organic Villages, favoring low-residue inputs such as certified biodegradable mulch. These factors point to continued adoption of GreenPla aligned biodegradable films and recyclable mono-material PE across open-field and protected systems, as exporters and co-ops tighten procurement around sustainability and end-of-life management.

The Japan Mulch Film Market revenue size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% during 2025-2031. Leading domestic producers such as Okura Industrial Co., Ltd., C. I. TAKIRON Corporation, and Sunplac Corporation, along with other key players like Achilles Corporation and Mikado Chemical Manufacturing Co., Ltd., are investing in R&D to expand portfolios of biodegradable and recyclable mulch films. These developments highlight the growing importance of sustainable film solutions in improving soil management efficiency, reducing plastic waste, and aligning Japan’s agricultural practices with long-term environmental goals.

Okura Industrial Co., Ltd. manufactures high-quality polyethylene mulch films designed for enhanced soil moisture retention and weed prevention, catering to Japan’s advanced agricultural sector.

Sunplac Corporation specializes in plastic agricultural materials, offering UV-resistant and heat-controlling mulch films that improve crop yield and reduce water consumption.

Shoko Co., Ltd. provides innovative agricultural solutions, including biodegradable mulch films engineered for eco-friendly farming and soil health enhancement.

C. I. TAKIRON Corporation produces advanced polymer-based mulch films with superior strength, temperature resistance, and optical control for efficient farming practices.

Omiya Co., Ltd. manufactures and supplies high-performance agricultural films with innovative materials focused on environmental sustainability and precision crop management.

Market Segmentation by Type

Degradable mulch films are expected to record the highest growth in Japan mulch film market by 2031. As Japanese growers face increasing labour constraints, soil-residue scrutiny, and circular-economy policy pressure, degradable mulch films offer a compelling value proposition as they ease end-of-life burden, align with GreenPla standards and sustainability goals, and reduce manual labour.

Market Segmentation by Material

PLA/PHA-based mulch films are expected to witness the fastest growth in Japan by 2031, driven by their superior biodegradation in temperate soils, mechanical strength, and compatibility with precision farming equipment. These bio-based materials could also be locally sourced from regional feedstocks like cassava or sugarcane, reducing import dependency and aligning with Japan’s carbon-neutral and circular agriculture goals, making them the preferred material for sustainable farming.

Market Segmentation by Degradability

Biodegradable mulch films are expected to have the highest growth rate in Japan mulch film market by 2031, supported by the Plastic Resource Circulation Act’s requirements, MAFF’s Organic Village expansion, and JA co-ops’ preference for low-residue, inputs in high-value horticulture. By eliminating retrieval and disposal steps through soil biodegradation and aligning with GreenPla standards, these films directly reduce end-of-life costs, fit labour-constrained farms, and are increasingly adopted in protected cultivation and export-oriented programs that demand cleaner fields.

Market Segmentation by Application

Horticulture is projected to have the highest growth in Japan’s mulch film market, driven by the expansion and modernization of protected cultivation (vinyl/glass houses, high tunnels) and a crop mix shift toward berries, leafy greens, and ornamentals that demand cleaner, uniform produce. Retailer and processor quality, appearance, residue control plus multi-crop, short cycle rotations in horticulture require frequent film replacement and specialized types, accelerating mulch film volume and value growth in horticulture application.

Key Attractiveness of the Report

• 10 Years Market Numbers.
• Historical Data: Starting from 2021 to 2024
• Base Year: 2024
• Forecast Data until 2031
• Key Performance Indicators Impacting the Market.
• Major Upcoming Developments and Projects.

Key Highlights of the Report:

• Japan Mulch Film Market Overview
• Japan Mulch Film Market Outlook
• Japan Mulch Film Market Forecast
• Historical Data and Forecast of Global Mulch Film Market Revenues for the Period 2021-2031F
• Historical Data and Forecast of Japan Mulch Film Market Revenues for the Period 2021-2031F
• Historical Data and Forecast of Japan Mulch Film Market Revenues, by Type, for the Period 2021-2031F
• Historical Data and Forecast of Japan Mulch Film Market Revenues, by Material, for the Period 2021-2031F
• Historical Data and Forecast of Japan Mulch Film Market Revenues, by Degradability, for the Period 2021-2031F
• Historical Data and Forecast of Japan Mulch Film Market Revenues, by Application, for the Period 2021-2031F
• Industry Life Cycle
• Porter’s Five Force Analysis
• Japan Mulch Film Market Drivers and Restraints
• Market Trends & Evolution
• Market Opportunity Assessment
• Japan Mulch Film Market Revenue Ranking, by Top 3 Companies
• Competitive Benchmarking
• Company Profiles
• Key Strategic Recommendations
• Market Scope and Segmentation

The report provides a detailed analysis of the following market segments:

By Type

• Clear/Transparent Mulch
• Black Mulch
• Coloured Mulch
• Degradable Mulch
• Others

By Material

• Polyethylene
• Polypropylene
• Polyvinyl Chloride
• PLA/PHA
• PBS
• EVA
• Other Bio-Based Materials (TPS, PBAT Blends)

By Degradability

• Non-Biodegradable
• Biodegradable

By Application

• Agricultural Farms
• Horticulture