Barrier Films Market Size
Imagine you're ordering your favorite takeout dish online. You want it to arrive hot, fresh, and safe to eat, right? That's where barrier films come in. In 2022, the barrier film industry was worth a whopping $28.5 billion! Why? Because our love for packaged and processed foods is growing, and we need smart ways to keep them safe. Online food delivery and takeout are booming these days. In Europe alone, the number of restaurants hitting the 100,000 mark is impressive, and the UK has over 43,000 takeaway food shops. These places rely on barrier films to wrap up your food so it stays delicious and protected from germs on its way to you. Not only that, but barrier films help extend the life of your meals. That means restaurants can prepare food ahead of time for delivery or takeout without it going bad. It's like a magic wand that reduces food waste and lets us enjoy more options when we order in.
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Barrier films are thin, protective layers used in packaging to prevent the permeation of gases, moisture, light, and contaminants. These specialized films enhance the shelf life and quality of products, such as food, pharmaceuticals & electronics, by creating a barrier against external elements, ensuring product freshness and integrity.
Barrier Films Market Report Attributes
Report Attribute |
Details |
Base Year |
2022 |
Barrier Films Market Size in 2022 |
USD 28.5 Billion |
Forecast Period |
2023 to 2032 |
Forecast Period 2023 to 2032 CAGR |
5.5% |
2032 Value Projection |
USD 40 Billion |
Historical Data for |
2018 to 2022 |
No. of Pages |
220 |
Tables, Charts & Figures |
314 |
Segments covered |
Material, Type, Packaging Type, End-use Industry & Region |
Growth Drivers |
- Increasing demand from the food packaging industry
- Positive outlook for the restaurant industry
- Focus on sustainability and eco-friendly packaging
- Growing application of barrier films in the electronics industry
|
Pitfalls & Challenges |
- High production costs
- Limited recycling infrastructure
|
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The production of high-performance barrier films often involves specialized materials, precise manufacturing processes, and advanced technologies. These factors contribute to elevated production costs, making the final products expensive. In cost-sensitive markets, businesses may opt for alternative packaging solutions to minimize expenses, hindering the wide adoption of barrier films.
COVID-19 Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic shook up the world of packaging materials for good. It made it hard to get the raw materials needed to make barrier films, which are like invisible shields that protect products from germs and damage. Factories had to close, and transportation got all messed up, so there weren't enough barrier films to go around. That meant delays in getting products to people and a lot of headaches for businesses. But at the same time, online shopping went through the roof. People were ordering everything they could to avoid going out. And because of that, there was a huge demand for barrier films to make sure those packages arrived safely. The pandemic also made people way more concerned about hygiene. They wanted to make sure their food, medicine, and other important stuff was clean and protected. So, barrier films became a must-have for these products. Basically, the pandemic gave the barrier films market a real boost. It showed businesses how important it is to protect products from contamination and damage, and it made consumers realize how much they rely on safe and secure packaging.
Barrier Films Market Trends
Sustainability remains a significant trend with a growing emphasis on developing barrier films made from recyclable, biodegradable, and renewable materials. Eco-friendly packaging options are gaining traction owing to consumer awareness and environmental concerns.
Customization of barrier films to meet unique industry requirements is a prevalent trend. Functionalities, such as antimicrobial properties, oxygen scavenging, and controlled release of active substances, are being incorporated into films, expanding their applications in the food, pharmaceutical & healthcare sectors. Continuous innovations in material science including the development of nanocomposite films and bio-based polymers are enhancing the barrier properties of these films. These advancements allow for the creation of high-performance films tailored for specific applications.
Barrier Films Market Analysis
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Based on end-use industry, the market is segmented into food & beverages, pharmaceutical & medical, electronics, agriculture, and others. The food & beverages segment dominated the global market with a share of over 35% in 2022.
- Rising urbanization and busy lifestyles have led to an increased demand for convenience foods. Ready-to-eat meals, frozen foods, and snacks are often packaged using barrier films to ensure that these products remain fresh, flavorful & safe for consumption, thereby catering to the convenience-oriented consumer market.
- Barrier films play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and quality of food products. They create a protective shield, preventing contamination from external factors such as moisture, oxygen, and light. By extending the shelf life of perishable goods, these films reduce food wastage and enhance overall food safety.
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Based on material, the market is divided into polymer-based barrier films, inorganic oxide coating, organic coating, and others. The organic coating segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of over 7% through 2032.
- Organic coatings often consist of biodegradable and environmentally friendly materials. As sustainability becomes a focal point for consumers and businesses alike, there is a growing demand for organic coatings that align with eco-friendly practices. This shift toward sustainable solutions will propels the organic coating material segment growth.
- Organic coatings are considered safe for food contact applications. They comply with stringent regulations and food safety standards, ensuring that packaged food items remain uncontaminated & suitable for consumption. Meeting these regulatory requirements is essential for the food & beverage industry, driving the adoption of organic coatings in barrier films.
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Asia led the world in the barrier film industry in 2022, taking over 35% of the market. This boom is largely due to the region's growing food and beverage industry. As people's lifestyles and eating habits change, they're buying more packaged and convenient foods. And barrier films are crucial for keeping these perishable goods, processed foods, and drinks fresh and lasting longer. Another big reason for Asia's success is the rise of e-commerce. More and more people are shopping online for everything from groceries to electronics to toiletries. Barrier films provide safe and reliable packaging, ensuring that products arrive undamaged, which is a huge plus for this growing industry.
Barrier Films Market Share
Players operating in the barrier films industry focus on implementing different growth strategies to strengthen their offerings and expand their market reach. These strategies involve new product developments & launches, partnerships & collaborations, mergers & acquisitions, and customer retention. These market players also heavily invest in R&D to introduce innovative products in the market. Major players operating in the barrier films industry are
- Berry Global Inc.
- Amcor PLC
- Sealed Air Corporation
- Toppan Inc.
- Cosmo Films Ltd.
- Jindal Poly Films Ltd.
- DuPont Teijin Films
Barrier Films Industry News
- In April 2022, Toppan has strengthened its transparent barrier film line with the introduction of "GL-ME-RC," a new grade that offers both light-shielding and high barrier performance. GL-ME-RC, which broadens the range of uses for GL BARRIER films, will be accessible in April for markets in Japan and other countries. Utilizing GL BARRIER vapor deposition and coating technologies, GL-ME-RC exhibits exceptional flex-resistant barrier performance.
The barrier films market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) from 2018 to 2032 for the following segments
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Market, By Material
- Polymer-based barrier films
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
- Polyamide (PA)
- Inorganic oxide coating
- Organic coating
- Others
Market, By Type
- Transparent barrier films
- Metallized barrier films
- White barrier films
Market, By Packaging Type
- Pouches
- Bags
- Lids
- Blister packs
- Others
Market, By End-use Industry
- Food & beverages
- Pharmaceutical & medical
- Electronics
- Agriculture
- Others
The above information is provided for the following regions and countries
- North America
- Europe
- Germany
- UK
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Rest of Europe
- Asia Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- ANZ
- Rest of Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Rest of Latin America
- MEA
- UAE
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- Rest of MEA