Agricultural Films Market Size
The global Agricultural Films market size is projected to grow from USD 9.54 Billion in 2022 to USD 16 Billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period, owing to the rising adoption of protected farming practices, the emphasis on enhancing the crop output, the adoption of mulching films, and the rising demand for biodegradable films are driving the agricultural film market.
Introduction
Agricultural films are plastic films used in various agricultural applications and are generally made up of various types of polyethylene and /or Ethylene Vinyl Acetate. These films were discovered in 1948 to construct a cheap green house. Agricultural films are widely used for construction of Greenhouse and in Mulching. Films used for construction of Greenhouse have thickness of around 100 to 200 micrometres and lifespan of these films can vary from 7 to 40 months. Agricultural films are also used in Mulching, major requirement from these films is to hold the soil.
Agricultural Films Demand Analysis
The Agricultural Films market is segmented into by type and by application. In terms of type, the market is bifurcated into High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate and Others. LLDPE is the largest type of agricultural film owing to its extended shelf life, high durability, high tensile strength, and improved thermal properties.
Global Agricultural Films Demand, By Type (Kilo Tons)
Source: Secondary & Primary Research and Prismane Consulting estimates
Mulch Film (Transparent Mulch, Black Mulch), Greenhouse Film, Silage Film (Silage bag, Silage Sheet, Silage Stretch Wrap) are the applications of Agricultural films. Mulch Films accounts for the largest share as usage of Mulch Films increases agricultural productivity. Lifespan of Mulch films depends on crop cycle, but general life span is 6 to 8 months. Another application of Agricultural films is Silage films and can be categorized in bags, wraps and sheets.
Global Agricultural Films Demand, By Application (Kilo Tons)
Source: Secondary & Primary Research and Prismane Consulting estimates
In terms of volume, the global Agricultural Films demand is likely to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% between 2023 and 2032 on account of increased demand in developing countries like China, India, and other Asian countries. Agriculture plays a critical role in the global food system, and the need for concerted efforts to ensure its long-term sustainability and resilience in changing environmental and social conditions is on the rise. With the world’s population growing by around 1% per year, increasing agricultural productivity to meet the food needs while balancing environmental sustainability is crucial. By 2037, the world’s population is estimated to reach 9 billion, putting even more strain on food production.
Global Agricultural Films Demand, By Region, 2022 (Kilo Tons)
Source: Secondary & Primary Research and Prismane Consulting estimates
Key Agricultural Films Manufacturers
Novamont S.P.A, BASF, Berry Global Inc., Polifilm GmbH, Barbier Group, Trioplast Industrier AB, The Rkw Group, Kuraray Co. Ltd., Grupo Armando Alvarez, ExxonMobil Corporation, Polifilm GmbH, Plastika Kritis S.A., and Agri Plast Tech India are some of the key manufacturers in the Agricultural films market.
• In October 2023, Mondi has partnered with Cotesi to create a paper mulch film used for crop protection and other agricultural benefits.
Agricultural Films Market Dynamics
Driver: Rising demand for agriculture films in protected agriculture
The advancement in farming technology has been substantial in recent years due to the rapid pace of urbanization and the growing demand for housing and road infrastructure. This has resulted in the use of fertile farmland, leading to a need for advanced farming techniques to improve crop yields. Automation, through the use of machinery, has made farming easier and more efficient, and these techniques are widely adopted in developed countries and being adopted by developing regions.
Controlled agriculture, including greenhouses, mulching, and silage technologies, are essential to meet the increasing demand for food. Agricultural films play a vital role in enhancing crop quality and productivity, preventing soil erosion, providing nutrients, controlling weed growth, and increasing soil temperature. Hence, the growing demand for food is driving the Agricultural films market.
For centuries, horizontal farming has been the conventional approach to agriculture, but with the challenge of limited space and the need for efficiency, alternative methods have gained popularity. This has led to innovations such as vertical farming, aquaponics, and aeroponics. Smart farming, which involves growing crops in greenhouses or indoor environments using methods like aquaponics, has become a popular trend in agriculture. Automated activities and continuous crop monitoring through sensors and micro-controllers make the process more efficient.
The unpredictability of the climate and seasonal changes caused by climate change have made agriculture more challenging and disrupted food supply chains. To reduce risk and increase profitability, many companies are investing in smart farming technologies. The growing interest in greenhouses for agriculture is expected to drive significant growth in the agricultural films market over the forecast period.
The rising demand for agricultural films for protected cultivation will boost the market in the forecast period. Crop protection films are used to manufacture greenhouses or tunnels which help to protect the crops from harsh weather, diseases, and pests. These films are used for increasing the yield, high water productivity and helps in achieving a larger produce. The most common type of protected films is mulching protected films, which helps in retaining the moisture in soil, protects the roots from direct sunlight and keeps the manure at one place.
Restraint: Difficult Disposal of Agricultural Films
The use of plastic films in agriculture can lead to environmental concerns, especially if they are not managed properly. Improper disposal or burning of these films can contribute to pollution and harm ecosystems. Many agricultural films are made of non-biodegradable materials, such as polyethylene. This can lead to long-lasting environmental impact, as these materials may persist in the environment for many years.
The disposal of used agricultural films poses a challenge and, in some cases, farmers may not have convenient or environmentally friendly options for disposing of these materials, leading to accumulation on agricultural fields or improper disposal practices which will hinder the Agricultural Films market in the forecast period.
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