Agricultural Films Market

Agricultural Films Market size is forecast to reach $15 billion by 2025, after growing at a CAGR of 6% during 2020-2025. Films/sheets used in agriculture for protecting crops and increasing its productivity are referred to as agricultural films. The growing uses of modern farming technology to enhance the yield of crops, increasing populations coupled with food demand, and surging demand for biodegradable and soil degradable films augmented the growth of agricultural films market. Agricultural film protects the crop from weeds and pests. Moreover, increasing environmental concerns and government restrictions on the use of chemical-based pesticides and weedicides is driving the growth of agricultural films market. For instance, the European Union (EU) has banned the sales of chlorpyrifos after January 31, 2020, this may augment the need for agriculture films for protecting crops without harming the environment.

 

The report: “Agricultural Films Market – Forecast (2020-2025)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Agricultural Films Industry. 

By Material: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), and Others 

By Type: Greenhouse Films (Walk-in Tunnel, Low Tunnels, and Others), Mulch Films (Clear or Transparent, Colored, and Others), Silage Films (Stretch Wrap, Silo Bag, and Others), Geomembrane, and Others

By Application: Flоwеr Сrорѕ, Fіеld Crорѕ, Fоrеѕtrу, Fruits & Vegetables, Grains, and Other

By Geography: North America, South America, Europe, APAC, and RoW

 

• Growth in the commercial farming in developing economies such as China and India is the major factor driving the growth of agricultural films market.
• Adoption of biodegradable agricultural films for protection of crops from birds, rodents, weeds and pests without degrading the environment is boosting the growth market.
• COVID19 has shuttered the manufacturing units and disrupted the supply chain further hampering the growth of agricultural films market.

 

Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) segment hold the largest share of more than 30% in the agricultural films market in 2019. Linear low-density polyethylene is preferred over LDPE. LLDPE has more resistance to chemical and tensile strength which is better for crop production. LLDPE is a substantially linear polymer (polyethylene), with significant numbers of short branches, commonly made by copolymerization of ethylene with longer-chain of olefins. Low thickness of LLDPE films allow sunlight to reach crops which in turn boosts the growth of plant. Properties such as flexibility, good moisture barrier, and resistance to ultraviolet radiations also accelerates the use of linear low-density polyethylene in agricultural films. 

 

Based on the type, greenhouse film segment holds the largest share of more than 30% in the agricultural films market in 2019. Greenhouse film help fruits, and vegetables to ripen faster which in turn allows farmer to harvest several crops in a year. United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that the demand for food will grow by 60% by 2050. Limited agricultural landmass coupled with huge demand for food has augmented the use of greenhouse films. Greenhouse films maintain uniform temperature which increases the efficiency of crops. In addition of protecting crops from wind, rain and frost, greenhouse film also reduces water consumption by lowering evaporation rate. 

Outbreak of coronavirus proved to a major challenge for agricultural films market. Lack of manpower has led many manufacturing companies to stop their production which further results in their downfall. According to the World Trade Organization global trade will fall by between 13% and 32% in 2020 as the COVID 19 pandemic disrupts normal economic activity and life around the world. Due to the disruption of supply chain, farmers are facing problems in exporting their fruits or vegetables. Huge losses to farmers decreased the use of agricultural films. 

 

Fruits & vegetables segment held the largest share of more than 30% in the agriculture films market in 2019. This can be attributed to the ease of application owing to the perennial nature of crops. Agricultural film protects the crop from the proliferation of weeds, preventing weeds from hindering the development of the plants. In addition of maintaining uniform temperature and humidity, agricultural films also prevent erosion of soil. Agricultural films also prevent contact between fruit & soil and improve the product quality. According to the horticulture statistics division in the department of agriculture, government of India, the area under horticulture grew by 2.6% per annum and annual production increased by 4.8% during 2017-18. The production of vegetables increased from 101.2 million tons to 184.40 million tons since 2004-05 to 2017-18 and production of fruits has increased from 50.9 million tons to 97.35 million tons since 2004-05 to 2017-18. The volumetric growth of horticulture crops in the decade further drive the growth of agricultural films during the forecast period.

 

Asia Pacific has dominated the agricultural films market with a share of 45% in 2019 followed by North America and Europe. Countries in APAC are witnessing the increasing population, especially in China and India, resulted in the increasing demand for food, which leads to an increased usage of mulch films in crop production. According to the Indian governmental report, total consumption of the food and beverage segment domestically is expected to reach $1.142 Tn by 2025, subsequently aiding the demand for agricultural films. The government is also taking necessary steps to improve the productivity of crops. In January 2020, in China, the government’s National Development and Reform Commission stated that China wants to promote non-plastic products, including biodegradable mulch film, in the agriculture sector. Additionally, in India, the government estimated the quantity production for pulses for the coming years, which significantly raises the demand for agricultural films. According to Seed Division, 3,975,165 quintal pulses are to be farmed during 2020-2021, with an increment of 308,947 quintals compared to the year 2019-2020. These factors further drive the growth of the agricultural films market in the region.

 

Chemical pesticides or weedicides may cause metabolic syndrome, malnutrition, atherosclerosis, inflammation, anxiety, loss of memory, weakness, cancer or kidney failure. Increasing health concerns and government restrictions have restrained the use of chemical pesticides. Government ban on chemicals has impelled farmers to use agriculture films to get rid of insects, rodents, and birds. For instance, on 20th May 2020 Pesticide Area Network (PAN) has approved the Indian government proposal to ban 27 pesticides including 2,4-D, acephate, atrazine, and benfuracarb, butachlor, citing its harmful effects on human health and the environment. Also, in August 2018, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban chlorpyrifos. Thus, strict government actions to minimize the use of pesticides for increasing crop productivity further aid the growth of agricultural films market.

 

According to the United Nations Organization (UNO), world population is projected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030. Increase in population has urged the farmers to use agricultural films for higher crop yield without degrading the environment. Silage films protect fermented high-moisture fodder that can be fed to livestock. According to UNO, between 2010 and 2050 production of animal proteins is expected to grow by around 1.7% per year, with meat production projected to rise by nearly 70%, aquaculture by 90% and dairy by 55%. Thus, increase in demand of milk and meat boost the demand for fodder which in turn augmented the growth of agricultural films market. Furthermore, surging demand for biodegradable agriculture films also propel the market growth. Biodegradable plastic mulches offer an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional polyethylene (PE) mulch. Unlike PE films, which need to be removed after use, biodegradable films can be left in the soil and ploughed under. These benefits of biodegradable films augment the growth of the market.

 

Although agricultural films are gaining huge popularity in increasing the agricultural output but degradability of agricultural films possess major challenge. Polyethylene do not decompose and remain on landfill for years. Government regulations on the production and sale of polyethylene further hamper the growth of polyethylene-based agriculture films. For instance, in February 2019, European Parliament members voted as 571-53 in favor of the ban of single-use polyethylene. Furthermore, high cost of installation and short lifespan of greenhouse films also hampers the growth of agricultural films market. Decline in agricultural landmass due to rapid urbanization also impact the market growth. According to China’s Ministry of Natural Resources country’s arable land declined by 60,900 hectares and fell to 134.86 million hectares in 2017, lowering the demand for agricultural films.

 

Technology launches, acquisitions and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the agricultural films market report. In 2019, the market of agricultural films has been consolidated by the top 10 companies accounting for xx% of the share. Major players in the agricultural films market are BASF SE, Berry Global, Inc., Dow Chemical Company, Ab Rani Plast Oy, Trioplast Industrier AB, Coveris, Armando Alvarez Group, Kuraray Co., Ltd, Achilles Corporation, RKW Group, among others.

 

• In March 2019, RKW Group expanded its new multilayer extrusion plant at the Site in Hoogstraten/Belgium. The new e7 technology line enables the efficient production of various films for applications in agriculture and horticulture.
• In June 2016, Raven Industries launched a new 2-step oxygen barrier silage cover by utilizing SealFresh and Dura-Skrim for the agricultural market. SealFresh prevents oxygen from reaching the feed while preserving valuable nutrients while Dura-Skrim block UV rays and provide long-term durability.