Pallet stretch film a growing market: study

The global market for pallet stretch film is forecast to increase by one million tons over the next five years, according to a new report from Bristol, England-based industry consultants AMI.

AMI’s recently published report “The global market for pallet stretch film”, points to a worldwide market that currently uses nearly 3 million tons of polyethylene and is growing at over seven per cent per year. As a result, by 2011 the global pallet stretch film market will be a four million-ton business, representing nine per cent of worldwide demand for polyethylene, the report concluded.

“The demand for pallet stretch films is continuing to advance in all regions of the world,” the report said. “Although the more established markets of Europe and NAFTA are experiencing a degree of maturity, the developing regions of the world are seeing major investment and growth in the application of pallet stretch films.”

Currently, Europe accounts for 47 per cent of global production of pallet stretch film and NAFTA countries for 29 per cent, the study said. The most dramatic increase in production forecast over the next five years is in theMiddle East, where two major capacity installations are to take place. The result of this, combined with further expansions in Asia, will be to reduce Europe’s and NAFTA’scombined share of global production from 76 per cent to 68 per cent.

Film demand growth is forecast to average 7.3 per cent per annum over the next five years:although the established markets of Europe and NAFTA will see growth of 5.8 per cent and 4.0 per cent respectively, demand growth in Asia, Latin America and the Rest of World is forecast at between 11 per cent and 14 per cent per annum.

Further information about the report can be obtained by emailing jjc@amiplastics.com.