The global nylon film market is estimated to be valued at USD 1,021.6 million in 2024. The industry is anticipated to cross USD 1,487.3 million by 2034. Sales are projected to rise at a CAGR of 3.8% over the forecast period between 2024 and 2034. The revenue generated by nylon films in 2023 was USD 975 million. The trend is anticipated to exhibit a Y-o-Y growth of 4.6% in 2024.
BOPA film encompasses a significant share of the market. It dominates the market with 82% of the market share in 2034, expanding at 4% CAGR through the forecast period. BOPA film offers excellent thermal stability, barrier properties, and high mechanical strength which makes it the preferred choice among different nylon films.preferred choice among different nylon films.
One particularly promising area of growth for nylon films lies in the pharmaceutical industry. The expanding pharmaceutical sector, fueled by rising demand for healthcare services worldwide, is creating a significant demand for advanced packaging solutions. Nylon films are perfectly positioned to capitalize on this trend.
The demand for nylon films in pharmaceuticals is anticipated to expand at 4.2%, reaching USD 173.1 million by 2034. This growth is further driven by the increasing focus on personalized medicine, biologics, and specialty pharmaceuticals. These sectors require robust and versatile packaging solutions to ensure product safety and efficacy throughout the supply chain. Nylon films, with their excellent barrier properties and durability, are well-suited to meet these demands.
The industry anticipates an incremental opportunity of USD 512.3 million, representing a potential 1.5 times increase from its current value by 2034. This growth reflects the increasing need for robust and versatile packaging solutions across various industries. As the demand for high-performance packaging continues to rise, nylon films, with their unique combination of properties, are poised to play a prominent role in the evolving packaging industry.
Global Nylon Film Industry Assessment
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Historical Nylon Film Industry Size (2023) | USD 975 million |
| Estimated Global Nylon Film Market Size (2024E) | USD 1,021.6 million |
| Projected Global Nylon Film Market Value (2034F) | USD 1,487.3 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 3.8% |
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Production of Multiple-layered Films Create Numerous Opportunities
Nylon film manufacturers are witnessing a lot of growth in coextruded films. Films that use thin individual and separate numbers of layers allow more efficient use of costly high-performance polymers. Several other food packaging industries intend to get into medical packaging because it has higher margins.
The adoption of layers in films has expanded as several companies have qualified the manufacturing of the first eight, nine, and 11-layer films, especially for healthcare applications. Such highly layered films are in their inductor stage in the market, but they are cutting down the cost of the packaging for snacks and pharmaceutical packaging, where the packages usually cost more than the product contained inside.
Winpak Ltd., manufactured its first medical packaging film in North America, a nylon-based structure with 11 layers for making sterilized bags. This is the most highly layered coax film in the medical packaging film market. Winpak Ltd. is expanding its portfolio in the medical business by using technologies such as coax barrier food packaging to decrease the cost of medical forming films.
Increasing Adoption of BOPA Films
Biaxially Oriented Polyamide film (BOPA) films are more popular in the global market. They are manufactured by biaxial orientation, which provides exceptional clarity to films, enhancing their flexibility and tensile strength. BOPA films offer an excellent oxygen barrier, which is essential in product packaging. The manufacturing process increases its oxygen barrier by 30%, which is essential for certain products. They offer less permeation of oxygen, and it is shrinkable which makes them efficient in food packaging applications.
BOPA films have high mechanical stretch, high melting point, and high puncture resistance which makes them suitable for specialized applications. Good printability, transparency, and aesthetically glossy finish have increased its application to enhance product sales.
Since the market is filled with numerous products, the adoption of BOPA films in packaging can help business to market their product easily by highlighting the product with aesthetic appeal on the shelf. BOPA films are elastic which makes them stable under overload conditions. Consequently, BOPA films are the most attractive films utilized for packaging products that are sensitive to oxygen.
Recycling of Multilayer/ Barrier Structures a Key Impediment for Nylon Film
Over the years, there has been a shift in preference from monolayer flexible packaging to multilayered packaging due to desired functionality, barrier, thickness, low cost, and increasing applications. The process of recycling or disposing of multilayer packaging is a complicated and too risky investment for manufacturers, wherein the cost of recycling is much higher than manufacturing a new one.
Moreover, in the last few years, 5-layer and 7-layer multi-layered barrier films have become quite popular. However, oriented coextruded films with EVOH or polyamide face some challenges concerning the maintenance of the adhesive tie layer and film after orientation. Fundamentally, the orientation process increases the interfacial area of the film but effectively reduces the number of chemical bonds per unit area. This results in a drop of adhesion by 90%. The difference in mechanical properties of polyolefin films and barrier layers reduces the adhesion strength after orientation.
The orientation of multilayer film decreases the elasticity of the material and thus, dissipates interfacial stress. Therefore, increasing adoption of multi-layered barrier films in flexible packaging for enhanced shelf life poses an extensive challenge in recycling and disposing of materials. This factor is expected to restrain the growth of the polyamide/nylon film market during the forecast period.
The global market recorded a CAGR of 3.3% during the historical period between 2019 and 2023. The growth of the nylon film industry was positive as it reached a value of USD 975 million in 2023 from USD 855 million in 2019. Traditionally, preference in packaging has always revolved around rigid packaging formats, because of their barrier properties and reliability. But, in the last few years, with the transition of the packaging industry has evolved packaging manufacturers who have invested in research & development for incorporating these characteristics in flexible packaging formats.
Food & pharmaceutical industries rapidly shifted to flexible packaging solutions including nylon films owing to their lightweight, flexibility, and durability. The key reasons for this change are due to their non-reactivity with food products, high flexibility and ability to be easily processed at high and low temperatures. The rise in demand for materials for packaging microwavable food products is one of the major drivers of nylon films.
Innovations in food packaging technologies such as modified atmosphere packaging, vacuum packaging and other active packaging methods are contributing to market growth. Adoption of these technologies for food packaging is increasing the demand for high-performance packaging films including nylon films.
The boom in the healthcare sector is influencing the sales of nylon films. The significant application of nylon films in packaging applications of pharmaceutical products is driving the market. The need for safe and advanced packaging solutions for speciality pharmaceuticals due to increased emphasis on patient safety and product integrity drives the demand for nylon films.
Principal Consultant
The section below covers the industry analysis of nylon film market for different countries. Market demand analysis on key countries in several region of the globe, including North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, East Asia, and others, is provided. Germany is anticipated to remain at the forefront in Europe, with a value share of 19.6% through 2034. In East Asia, China is projected to witness a CAGR of 4.5% by 2034.
| Countries | Value CAGR (2024 to 2034) |
|---|---|
| United States | 3.1% |
| Brazil | 4.2% |
| Poland | 3.8% |
| Indonesia | 5.1% |
| China | 4.5% |
| New Zealand | 2.9% |
| South Africa | 4.6% |
A prominent portion of North America’s nylon film market is captured by the USA which accounts for 81.3% of the market value share in 2024. The rising obesity awareness, urbanization, and focus on healthy food give rise to the consumption of fat and sugar-free packed food in the USA which creates market growth opportunities for food packaging such as nylon films in the USA.
According to the Commonwealth Fund organization, the spending on healthcare in the USA is around 18% of its GDP which is twice when compared to an OCED country and has the lowest life expectancy. The USA has a high rate of people with multiple chronic diseases and obesity rates. Rising prices in the healthcare sector, high demand for medical services, and growth in medical technologies are contributing to the increase in healthcare spending.
The increasing rate of spending on healthcare in the USA is anticipated to drive the demand for the nylon film market in the US. Rising prices in the healthcare sector, high demand for medical services, and growth in medical technologies are contributing to the increase in healthcare spending.
India is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 4.8% and reach a valuation of USD 98.1 million by the end of the forecast year. The food services sector in India is extensively increasing because of the heightened demand for high-end quality products along with rising per capita income in the country as India is the most populous economy, which is driven by the consumer.
The food service industry in India is projected to gain USD 79.65 billion market value by 2028 as stated by the Indian Brand Equity Forum (IBEF). The demand for food delivery services is growing remarkably with a growth rate of 23% as a result of the busy lifestyles of Indian citizens and increased disposable income.
Quick-service restaurants in India are predicted to attain USD 1,069.3 million by 2027 providing an opportunity for the market players to expand further. The consistent growth of the food service industry in India is expected to create notable demand for nylon films during the forecast years.
The section contains information about the leading segments in the industry. By grade, nylon 6 films dominates market with estimated market share of 90% in 2024. BOPA nylon films are anticipated to grow at 4% CAGR by end of 2034.
| Material | BOPA |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2034) | 82% |
BOPA films are dominating the global market for nylon films with an anticipated market share of around 82% generating an incremental dollar opportunity worth USD 416.4 million by 2034 end. The benefits of BOPA films include excellent flexibility, high tensile strength, and very high mechanical strength which provide the film with exceptional toughness and make them super stiff for usage in the packaging of electrical and chemical end-use industries. This is likely to bolster the demand for nylon films in the forecast period.
| Grade Type | Nylon 6 |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2034) | 91.4% |
Various variants of nylon can be utilized for nylon packaging, such as Nylon 6, and Nylon 66. Among these Nylon 6 is estimated to hold the dominant market share of 91.4% as of 2034 further expanding at a 3.9% growth rate by the end of the assessment years. Manufacturing companies are increasingly preferring Nylon 6 over any other variant because of their cost-effectiveness compared to other nylon variants.
This helps manufacturing companies save an enormous amount of financial capital. Their versatility is also unmatched, and they offer a balance of mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and processing characteristics. This makes them a perfect choice for a wide range of applications in industries.
| End Use | Food |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2034) | 72.4% |
Food application of nylon films is majorly contributing to the market growth, with a market value of USD 729.4 million in 2024. It is further expanding by 1.5 times its current market value through 2034. Nylon films are ideal for food packaging because they offer excellent barrier properties against moisture and oxygen which keeps in maintain the product integrity.
Since food quality is an essential parameter measured by consumers while purchasing, it contributes to its enhanced applications in food packaging. The requirement of extended shelf life for products such as meat, dairy, bakery, etc. is pushing its usage in the food industry.
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Key players in nylon films are committed to the research and development of the product and are consistently offering innovative nylon film solutions targeted towards specific end-use. Companies are expanding their manufacturing capabilities to meet the growing demand for nylon films, both regionally and globally. Companies are collaborating with businesses or acquiring innovative startups to strengthen their market position, expand product offerings, and increase geographical reach.
Recent Industry Developments in Nylon Film Market
In 2023, Microwave Chemical, headquartered in Japan, and Asahi Kasei, also based in Japan, jointly initiated a demonstration project aimed at commercializing the chemical recycling process for Nylon 66 using advanced microwave technology.
In April 2023, Kordsa, a tire and nylon manufacturing company headquartered in Turkey, announced a USD 50 million investment to expand its nylon production capabilities at its Chattanooga, Tennessee plant. This expansion is expected to help the company meet the growing demand from the automotive industry.
In 2024, Hamilton Plastics, headquartered in the United States, taps into its 30-plus years of expertise in high-barrier films by launching custom-engineered nine-layer structures. This innovation results from the company's recent investment in two new production lines.
The industry is segregated into nylon 6 and nylon 66.
In terms of thickness, the industry is divided into up to 10 microns, 11 to 20 microns, 21 to 30 microns, and above 30 microns.
Nylon films with composite polyamide (CPA) and bi-axially oriented polyamide (BOPA) materials are described.
Few of the important end uses include food, pharmaceutical, electrical, chemical, and other industries. The food segment is further classified as meat, cereals, cheese, and processed food.
Key countries of North America, Latin America, South Asia, East Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa are covered.
The global nylon film industry is projected to witness a CAGR of 3.8% through 2034.
The global nylon film industry stood at USD 975 million in 2023.
Global nylon film industry is anticipated to reach USD 1,487.3 million by 2034 end.
South Asia is set to record a CAGR of 4.8% in the assessment period.
UNITIKA Ltd., Toray Plastics Inc., and Honeywell International, Inc.
1. Executive Summary
2. Industry Introduction
2.1. Market Taxonomy
2.2. Market Definition
3. Market Trends and Success Factors
4. Market Background
4.1. Macro-economic and Industry Outlook
4.2. Market Dynamics
4.3. Value Chain Analysis
4.4. List of Key Market Participants (Manufacturers/Channel Partners)
4.5. Analysis of Key Industry Matrices
4.6. Industry Development Roadmap
5. Global Market Demand Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034
5.1. Historical Market Volume Analysis
5.2. Future Market Volume Projections
6. Pricing Analysis
7. Global Market Value (USD) Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034
7.1. Historical Sales Analysis
7.2. Future Market Size and Growth Projections
8. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, Thickness
8.1. Up to 10 Microns
8.2. 11 to 20 Microns
8.3. 21 to 30 Microns
8.4. Above 30 Microns
9. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Material
9.1. Composite Polyamide (CPA)
9.2. Bi-axially Oriented Polyamide (BOPA)
10. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Grade
10.1. Nylon 6
10.2. Nylon 66
11. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by End Use
11.1. Food
11.1.1. Meat
11.1.2. Cereals
11.1.3. Cheese
11.1.4. Processed Food
11.2. Pharma
11.3. Electrical
11.4. Chemicals
11.5. Other Industrial
12. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Region
12.1. North America
12.2. Latin America
12.3. Europe
12.4. East Asia
12.5. South Asia
12.6. Oceania
12.7. Middle East and Africa (MEA)
13. North America Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Market Segments and Country
14. Latin America Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Market Segments and Country
15. Europe Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Market Segments and Country
16. South Asia Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Market Segments and Country
17. East Asia Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Market Segments and Country
18. Oceania Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Market Segments and Country
19. Middle East and Africa Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Market Segments and Country
20. Sales Analysis 2024 & 2034 by Key Market Segments for 30 Key Countries
21. Competition Outlook including Market Structure Analysis, Company Share Analysis by Key Players, and Competition Dashboard
22. Company Profile
22.1. Toray Industries Inc.
22.2. Mondi Group
22.3. Uflex Ltd.
22.4. Honeywell International Inc.
22.5. Amcor Plc
22.6. Sealed Air Corp.
22.7. Cosmo Films Ltd.
22.8. KOLON Industries Inc.
22.9. Winpak Ltd.
22.10. HYOSUNG Corp
22.11. The Unitika Group
22.12. Dunmore Corporation
22.13. VF Verpackungen GmbH
22.14. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
22.15. Jindal Films
22.16. Coveris Holdings
22.17. Berry Global Group
22.18. TOYOBO CO., LTD.
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Nylon Film Market
