Biaxially Oriented Polyamide (BOPA) Films Market Analysis

Biaxially Oriented Polyamide Films Market Analysis

Based on product, the industry is segmented into plain and specialty BOPA films. Specialty product segment is further categorized into two-layered, three-layered, five-layered, seven-layered and other specialty BOPA films such as four-layered, nine-layered, etc. Plain BOPA films are not commonly used for packaging applications due to their hygroscopic characteristics. In 2016, plain BOPA films segment accounted for less than 10% of the overall industry share in terms of volume. The segment’s growth will be driven by its usage in packaging liquid soup, and for retort sterilized food products.
 

Specialty BOPA films is the major product segment which will grow with a CAGR of around 9% during the forecast timeframe. Laminating the product with other polymer materials enhances its barrier properties enabling its usage in a wide variety of packaging applications. Among the specialty product segment, two-layered and three-layered product types are the most widely used with a combined share of more than 60% of the overall specialty BOPA films industry volume in 2016.
 

Based on application, the industry is segmented into food & beverage, medical & pharmaceutical, electronics and other applications such as balloons, household products, book laminations, etc. Food & beverage is the most significant application segment accounting for more than 70% of the overall market in 2016. This segment will grow by more than 11% CAGR during the forecast timeframe. High growth in the North American and Asia Pacific food & beverage packaging industry will drive this segments growth in coming years.
 

BOPA films are also used as a soft packaging material for packing electronic components such as lithium ion batteries, circuit boards, etc. This segment generated a revenue of around USD 240 million in 2016 and will grow with more than 10% CAGR during the forecast timeframe.
 

North America is an important BOPA films market owing the flourishing U.S. food packaging industry. The regional market generated revenue exceeding USD 120 million in 2016 and will grow by a CAGR of around 10.5% during the forecast period. The North America BOPA films market share is low when compared to Europe and Asia Pacific due to the popularity of other barrier films. However, the region will experience increased product demand in coming years owing to rising domestic production capacity and increasing imports from other regions.
 

Europe is also a major BOPA films market accounting for more than 15% of the overall industry in 2016. The regional market will grow at a significant rate during the forecast period owing to a booming medical & pharmaceutical industry. The growing demand for high performance barrier films coupled with a large number of packaging film converters in the region will also propel the regional industry growth.