The cling films market size is projected to reach US$ 8.22 billion by 2031 from US$ 5.48 billion in 2023. The market is expected to register a CAGR of 5.2% during 2023–2031. Increased demand for convenience and fresh food products is likely to remain a key trend in the market.
Cling films, also known as plastic wraps or food wraps or stretch films, are thin, flexible plastic films used primarily to cover and seal industrial products, consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and food items. These films are made from materials such as polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC). Their primary characteristics include their ability to adhere to surfaces, form a tight seal, and maintain transparency. Cling films are widely used in industries, households, supermarkets, and the food service industry to wrap and protect food from contaminants, moisture, and air, thus extending the shelf life of product. They are favored for their convenience, ease of use, and effectiveness in preserving food quality.
The cling films market is driven by rising demand for convenience foods, increasing awareness of food safety, and technological advancements in film materials. Key materials used in cling film production include polyethylene (PE) for its cost-effectiveness and flexibility, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for its superior cling properties despite environmental concerns, and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) for its excellent barrier characteristics. Innovations are focused on enhancing these properties while improving sustainability. The increasing need for effective packaging solutions in consumer and industrial applications propels the market growth.
The rising demand for fresh, highly nutritional, and tasty food creates the need for innovative and contamination-free packaging solutions to protect food products from spilling, extend shelf life, and preserve quality. Cling films protect products throughout the distribution process. Cling films, with their ability to tightly seal food items, provide an efficient solution for packaging perishable goods such as vegetables, fruits, meats, and dairy products. Moreover, the rise in demand for convenience food and ready-to-eat meals propels the requirement for cling films as they offer convenience in packaging and preserving these products. Additionally, with increasing consumer awareness about food safety and hygiene, cling films are preferred for their ability to protect food from contamination and external pollutants.
E-commerce has revolutionized the food industry, with online grocery shopping and meal delivery services gaining popularity. According to the European Commission, in 2022, 91% of people aged 16 to 74 in the European Union (EU) had access to the internet, 75% of whom had purchased or ordered goods or services for private use. The proportion of e-shoppers increased from 55% in 2012 to 75% in 2022, a rise of 20 percentage points (PP). Online food platforms offer unparalleled convenience to consumers. Consumers browse through a wide variety of food options, place orders, and have their meals delivered to their doorsteps. This eliminates the need for travel, waiting in lines, and time-consuming dining process. Organized retail and e-commerce rely on efficient supply chains to meet consumer demands. With more consumers opting for online grocery shopping, there is a surge in demand for reliable and efficient packaging options to ensure the safe delivery of food products to their doorstep. Cling films play a crucial role in this process by providing a lightweight, flexible, and protective packaging option that helps preserve the freshness and quality of perishable items during transit. Thus, the growing food industry drives the cling films market growth.
Growing Focus on Eco-Friendly Cling Films to Fuel Market Growth
Consumers and businesses are increasingly prioritizing sustainability in their purchasing decisions as environmental awareness rises. This shift in consumer behavior is positively influencing manufacturers to innovate and offer cling film products that are made from recycled materials, compostable, and biodegradable. In April 2023, Wrapmaster, a division of Melitta UK Ltd, launched Compostable Cling Film, a general-purpose wrap that’s biodegradable in home or industrial composting environments. Moreover, governments and environmental organizations across the world are implementing stringent regulations and incentives to reduce plastic waste and promote the use of sustainable materials. This regulatory push encourages manufacturers to develop eco-friendly products and boosts consumer confidence in these alternatives. As a result, the market is expected to experience a surge in demand for environmentally responsible products in the future, paving the way for a sustainable future in packaging material in various industries.
Key segments that contributed to the derivation of the cling films market analysis are material type, form, and end use.
In terms of end use, the market is segmented into food, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial, and others. In 2023, the industrial segment dominated the market.
The geographic scope of the cling films market report is mainly divided into five regions: North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East & Africa, and South & Central America.
In 2023, Asia Pacific dominated the cling films market share. The growing online retail sector for food and groceries positively impacts the demand for cling films. According to the International Trade Administration, 57% of Asian consumers predominantly use online retail for their shopping needs. This includes online shopping for grocery and food products that require cling films for packaging. Thus, the growing food industry in Asia Pacific boosts the demand for cling films across the region.
Europe held the second-largest share of the cling films market in 2023. The market in Europe witnesses remarkable growth owing to the growing penetration of cling films across the food and healthcare & pharmaceuticals industries owing to its tamper resistance and extending shelf life factors. According to the European Commission, the food industry is the largest manufacturing field in Europe, propelling the demand for food packaging products such as cling films. According to the European Union, the region has the second-largest pharmaceutical industry in the world. This leads to an increased production of pharmaceuticals in the region and creates global export opportunities. Such factors propel the demand for cling films for packaging food and pharmaceutical products in Europe.
The regional trends and factors influencing the Cling Films Market throughout the forecast period have been thoroughly explained by the analysts at Insight Partners. This section also discusses Cling Films Market segments and geography across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America.
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size in 2023 | US$ 5.48 Billion |
| Market Size by 2031 | US$ 8.22 Billion |
| Global CAGR (2023 - 2031) | 5.2% |
| Historical Data | 2021-2022 |
| Forecast period | 2023-2031 |
| Segments Covered |
By Material Type
|
| Regions and Countries Covered | North America
|
| Market leaders and key company profiles |
The Cling Films Market market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. As demand rises, businesses are expanding their offerings, innovating to meet consumer needs, and capitalizing on emerging trends, which further fuels market growth.
Market players density refers to the distribution of firms or companies operating within a particular market or industry. It indicates how many competitors (market players) are present in a given market space relative to its size or total market value.
Major Companies operating in the Cling Films Market are:
Disclaimer: The companies listed above are not ranked in any particular order.
The cling films market is evaluated by gathering qualitative and quantitative data post primary and secondary research, which includes important corporate publications, association data, and databases. A few of the developments in the market are listed below:
The “Cling Films Market Size and Forecast (2021–2031)” report provides a detailed analysis of the market covering below areas:
The List of Companies - Cling Film Market
Asia Pacific dominated the market in 2023.
The growing demand from the pharmaceutical, food, industrial, and consumer goods sectors and rising penetration of the e-commerce industry are a few factors driving the market growth.
The market is projected to reach US$ 8.22 billion by 2031.
The growing focus on environmentally friendly cling films will drive the market in the future.
Berry Global Group Inc, Adex S.r.l., Anchor Packaging LLC, Cedo Ltd, The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc, MOLCO GmbH, Multiwrap, Dow Inc, POLIFILM, and Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp are a few of the key players operating in the cling films market.
The market is estimated to register a CAGR of 5.2% during 2023–2031.