Submitted by: Submitted by SmithJns
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Category: Other Topics
Date Submitted: 01/31/2015 12:42 AM
US demand to rise 1.5% annually through 2018
US demand for plastic film is expected to grow 1.5 percent per year through 2018 to 16.4 billion pounds, resulting in sales of $26.2 billion. Acceleration in manufacturing output and disposable income bode well for plastic film sales in a wide range of markets. Expected price stabilization from increased plastic resin supply will improve the cost-competitiveness of plastic film, allowing it to replace paper and other materials in multiple applications. Increased penetration of pouches, which provide convenience and functionality in new markets, will also boost demand for plastic film. However, environmental concerns will hinder plastic film growth in some applications, particularly plastic retail bags.
LLDPE to continue gaining share from LDPE
LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) is the largest volume film resin, comprising nearly half of resin usage in 2013, and is expected to maintain solid growth through 2018. LLDPE’s high strength source reduction capabilities have helped spur gains in multiple markets, including pouches for food products and pharmaceutical packaging. Demand for LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is expected to grow more slowly, continuing to be replaced by LLDPE in some functions and having reached market maturity in many of its primary markets. Above average growth is forecast for poly-propylene film, driven by its usage in packaging for the increasingly popular fresh produce market and its growth in snack food packaging. HDPE (high-density polyethylene) film is expected to exhibit minimal growth in demand through 2018, with growing opposition to single use plastic bags offsetting gains in food packaging. PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film demand will grow modestly through 2018, with healthy gains in food packaging applications replacing demand from the declining magnetic tape and photographic film markets. Below average growth is expected for PVC (polyvinyl chloride), hampered by continued...