Market Information

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films are manufactured using PVA resins and primarily find application in packaging and LCD panels. It has high tensile strength, high oxygen and aroma barrier and flexibility. Other applications of PVA films include laundry bags, pet waste bags, embroidery, detergent packaging and food packing among others. PVA films are of two types; water soluble and polarizer films. Water soluble PVA films are widely used in detergent packaging and polarizer films finds its application in LCD panels. Due to hazardous nature of chemicals handled in the chemical industry, use of water soluble PVA films is increasing exponentially. It is mostly used for small size packaging of detergents and agrochemicals for human safety.

Increasing industrial accidents during the pouring stage of chemicals are expected to boost the demand for PVA films in the chemical industry. According to Transparency Market Research, a leading U.S.-based market research firm, the global consumption of water soluble PVA films is expected to grow at an estimated CAGR of nearly 3.7% from 2012 to 2018.

PVA films are preferred over other packaging material such as polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer as these materials are toxic in nature and release harmful gases on incineration. PVA films are biodegradable in nature and are widely used in packaging and coating of food ingredients. Private as well as pubic organizations are undertaking Green Procurement initiatives in U.S. owing to growing environmental awareness among the consumers. Hence, green packaging (eco-friendly) initiatives in developed nations such as U.S. and Europe is further propelling the growth of PVA films market.

The emerging applications of PVA films include water transfer printing and food packaging. Water transfer printing technology is widely used in the decoration of automobile interiors and household appliances. The major PVA films manufacturers are developing food packaging using PVA films especially for chocolate, powdered drinks and spices to retain the aroma of these ingredients and to reduce the contaminated container waste, thus driving the market for PVA films.

The major polarizer applications of PVA films include LCD panels, sunglasses and optical filters. The growing demand of i-phones and i-pads is further driving the PVA films market. Large mobile giants such as Samsung and Apple are launching new gadgets in the market further boosting the growth of PVA films consumption in the coming years.