AGRICULTURAL FILM | MATERIALS
The agricultural film market is
increasingly driven by the need to replace existing films with more technically sophisticated alternatives, rather than just growing demand
Growing up fast: agricultural film
Polyethylene (PE) films have long been used in agriculture but have become fundamental to progress – with their key role in boosting crop yields, extending growing seasons and protecting animal feed. At the recent Agricultural Films conference,
Katrina Purser, senior consultant at AMI, said that world demand reached 5.7 million tonnes in 2025 – with more than half of it confined to Asia. (The same is true for production.) Demand to 2030 is expected to grow at an
average of 2.3% – though this varies slightly be- tween greenhouse, silage and mulch film. In a SWOT analysis, she said the many benefits of film – such as retaining water and extending growing seasons – were offset by factors such as the cost of collection and recycling. And, while there are growth opportunities in regions like Africa and the Middle East, there were several threats – such as mergers and acquisitions putting smaller players under pressure and longer-lasting films reducing demand.
www.filmandsheet.com The market in North America – where the
conference took place – is likely to out-perform the global average, with a 2.8% CAGR to 2030. This is driven by factor such as increased use of mulch film, expanded US resin production and the fast growth of new industries such as cannabis and hemp. On the downside, this is a mature market and film volume sales are affected by downgaug- ing. However, it remains the third largest market for agricultural film (684,000 tonnes in 2025).
Greenhouse optics In one example of a more sophisticated film, ExxonMobil presented details of low-haze greenhouse film that helps to increase crop yield. Innovative resins can ensure superior film process- ing, downgauging, high strength and better optical properties, said the company. An example is to use two separate grades to
create a thick film with low haze – in one case, 5% haze for a 100-micron film. Here, its Exceed Flow+
April 2026 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 19
Main image: Mulch film is the main type of agricultural film in North America
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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