MARKETS | OUTLOOK
India benefits from one of the world’s fastest-
Future BOPP film demand evolution by region Source: AMI Consulting 2026
growing economies, a low-cost manufacturing base and government incentives under “Make in India”. Bangladesh and Pakistan face greater exposure to economic instability, resin depend- ence and delivery disruption. Indian producers operate the world’s most modern machine park, including the largest line at 81,500 tonnes per year. Recent over-investment has suppressed margins, and additional capacity due onstream through at least 2028 remains a concern for local producers. Packaging for food and emerging high tech and new energy are the segments which remain key to demand growth, attracting new players in an otherwise rapidly consolidating market, a trend that is particularly evident in Europe and South America. Faced with the exponential growth in Asia, established players have sought to strength- en their position through strategic acquisitions to grant better access to new markets. Globally too, capacity expansion has acceler-
Future BOPP film demand by major application Source: AMI Consulting 2026
packaging and limiting excessive material use are increasing pressure on traditional multilayer struc- tures. BOPP is not banned, but the market is moving towards lighter, mono-material and easier-to-recycle solutions aligned with circular-economy goals. China’s next phase is not simply more volume: competitiveness will increasingly depend on product performance, process efficiency and the ability to serve expanding technical and high-value applications. The fastest BOPP growth is taking place in the Indian Sub-Continent, in both demand and capac- ity. Demand growth is expected to taper slightly, while capacity expansion is due to accelerate.
ated, leaving the current average utilisation rate at its lowest since 2020. This is despite the high raw material costs, supply volatility, logistics disruption and high energy prices facing the industry’s film producers. Technological advances continue to push the boundaries of production and performance of BOPP films. Line widths have reached 12 metres/wide for packaging film production and 6.8 metres/wide for technical applications such as capacitor films. Where possible, producers are choosing to hold on to – and in some cases, to reinstate – older/ decommissioned assets which are worth little in monetary terms, but enable them to cater for small- er, more speciality runs.
Outlook BOPP has a strong position in many of its core applications: it is difficult to replace in essential food packaging and the expanding global snacks sector, it has greater penetration in retort pouches, and in emerging high-tech and new energy applications. While projections indicate a slight slowing in growth rate through 2026 as a result of pressure from high inflation, waning consumer confidence and widespread geopolitical conflict, it estimates that longer term up to 2030, compound annual growth will exceed 3%.
About the author: Susannah Owen is Consultant, Flexible Films, at AMI. AMI’s Global Market for BOPP Film 2026 provides quantified insights into capacity, production and demand data across all regions and applications to 2030. Click here to request your free sample.
26 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | October 2026
www.filmandsheet.com
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