Abstract
US demand to grow 4.7% annually through 2011
Stretch and shrink film demand in the US is projected to increase 4.7 percent
annually to $4.7 billion in 2011, requiring 3.2 billion pounds of resin. Film
gains will be stimulated by healthy expansion in the manufacturing sector and
growing requirements for product packaging and the bundling and protection of
goods during warehousing and distribution. Other stimulants include the
popularity of mass retailers, which offer an array of bulk-packaged products.
Stretch film will remain dominant, accounting for 58 percent of the total in
2011, with slightly better growth anticipated for shrink film.
Stretch hoods to be fastest growing product segment
Demand for stretch film is projected to rise 4.7 percent annually to $2.7
billion in 2011. Material improvements in terms of strength and stretch
percentages will stimulate gains as greater stretchability lowers costs by
enabling pallets and other products to be wrapped with less film. Stretch
hoods will exhibit the fastest growth of all products due to their
significantly higher throughput compared to other pallet unitization methods.
Shrink film demand will be driven by the continued popularity of bulk
purchasing and its rising use in multipacks for mass retailers. Shrink film
provides a better seal and moisture barrier than stretch film, and is
frequently used in tandem with corrugated trays as a case overwrap -- which
provides increased product visibility as well as cost savings over corrugated
boxes.
Study coverage
This study presents historical demand data for the years 1996, 2001 and 2006
and forecasts for 2011 and 2016. Data are provided in dollars and pounds by
resin, product (e.g., food and beverages, paper and textiles); and application
(storage and distribution, pallet wrap and bundling).
The market environment section discusses the outlook for food and beverages,
packaging and other end-use industries, as well as pricing trends and
international activity. The industry structure section presents company market
share data, and discusses the impact of mergers and acquisitions, research and
development and other factors on stretch and shrink film demand. Key companies
are profiled such as AEP Industries, Atlantis Plastics, Berry Plastics, Pliant
and Sigma Plastics.
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