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Look Towards A New Future

Dec 16, 2011

US Stretch & Shrink Film Market demand to reach $2.4 billion in 2015

US demand for stretch and shrink film will rise 3.3 percent per year to $2.4 billion in 2015, driven by accelerating demand for product packaging and for the bundling and protection of goods during warehousing and distribution, as well as by competitive advantages over other packaging materials. Other stimulants will include resin and machinery improvements, and opportunities in areas such as stretch hoods and stretch labels and sleeves.

Stretch & Shrink Film Market

LDPE is leading stretch and shrink film resin
Stretch film demand will increase 2.8 percent annually through 2015, benefiting from advantages in energy and labor savings. The fastest growth is anticipated for stretch hoods due to their cost advantages, high throughput rates and excellent load integrity and weather protection. Demand for shrink film will grow 4.2 percent annually to $970 million in 2015. Advances will be promoted by shrink film’s high clarity and excellent print capabilities, greatly enhancing product marketability. In particular, growth will be aided by increased use in labels. Shrink film also provides a seal and moisture barrier and is frequently used in conjunction with corrugated trays as a case overwrap. Demand for stretch and shrink film resins is expected to rise 2.5 percent annually to 1.9 billion pounds in 2015. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is the leading stretch and shrink film resin due to its competitive cost and excellent elongation, puncture-resistance and other properties. Demand for LDPE stretch and shrink film is forecast to see healthy growth through 2015. LDPE resins consist of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) as well as conventional LDPE. LLDPE’s high impact strength, elongation properties and downgauging potential; and conventional LDPE’s greater clarity and drawdown characteristics lead to their dominant usage. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) stretch and shrink film demand will remain relatively flat through 2015 in volume terms, though gains will be seen in value terms. Shrink sleeve labels for foods and beverages will be the primary area of opportunity for PVC, with other areas declining as a result of PVC’s poor environmental image and competition from LDPE films.
Other smaller stretch and shrink film resins include polypropylene, high density polyethylene, polyester (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate) and biodegradable resins.

Storage & distribution market to post above average gains
The storage and distribution market for stretch and shrink film will post aboveaverage increases through 2015, when these uses will account for over half of total demand. Advances will be stimulated by growing retail trade and industrial activity, as well as export markets. The primary growth driver will be pallet wrap, due to its competitive advantages over strapping, tape and other bulk unitization methods. Product packaging demand gains will be stimulated by growing retail trade and concomitant needs for product packaging for food, beverage, consumer and other items. Stretch and shrink film advantages include cost effectiveness and source reduction capabilities compared to corrugated boxes and other packaging.

Study coverage
This new Freedonia industry study, Stretch & Shrink Film, is available for $4800. It presents historical demand data (2000, 2005 and 2010) plus forecasts for 2015 and 2020 by type, market and resin. The study also considers market environment factors, assesses industry structure,
evaluates company market share and profiles 33 competitors in the US industry.
This study can help you:
  • Determine your market & sales potential
  • Learn more about industry competitors
  • Assess new products & technologies
  • Identify firms to merge with or acquire
  • Complement your research & planning
  • Gather data for presentations
  • Confirm your own internal data
  • Make better business decisions
COMPANY PROFILES
Profiles 33 US industry players including AEP Industries, Bemis, Berry Plastics and Sigma Plastics
Additional Information
This study examines the stretch and shrink film industry in the US by type, resin, product,  application and market. Historical data are provided for 2000, 2005 and 2010, with forecasts for 2015 and 2020. “Demand” is equal to US production plus imports minus exports. This is  synonymous with terms such as “sales” and “apparent consumption.” Value data reflects  demand at the manufacturers’ level. In addition, the key strategic and competitive variables affecting the US paper and plastic packaging industries are discussed, and market leaders are identified and profiled. The entire study is framed within the context of overall economic conditions, as well as demographic, regulatory and technological factors affecting stretch and shrink film and their users.

Throughout this study, demand is related to various indicators for comparative purposes and to facilitate further analysis. Tabular details may not add to totals due to independent rounding, and calculated ratios reflect unrounded numbers. Corporate information sources included annual reports, SEC Form 10-K filings, analyst reports, product catalogs and other company  information. The macroeconomic indicators used in this study were obtained from The  Freedonia Group Consensus Forecasts dated August 2011. Due to the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ use of chain-weighted price indices, inflationadjusted GDP components (2005 dollars) may not add to the total.

Information and data on the stretch and shrink film industry were obtained from a variety of primary and secondary sources. Consultations with film producers, resin producers, resin distributors, end users, consultants, industry specialists and trade association personnel were pursued. Secondary data were obtained from government, trade associations and other private sources, including the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council. Other sources included trade publications such as Chemical Week; ICIS Chemical Business; International Association of Plastics Distributors; Modern Plastics; Paper, Film & Foil Converter; Plastics Engineering; Plastics News; and Plastics Technology. Corporate information sources included annual reports, SEC Form10-K filings, product releases, prospectuses and conversations with responsible officers within the companies themselves.

Government and trade association publications, security analyst reports and numerous other publications were utilized, and online databases were also searched. Throughout this study, demand is related to various indicators for comparative purposes and to facilitate further  analysis. Tabular details may not add to totals due to independent rounding, and calculated ratios reflect unrounded numbers.

Table Of Contents
INTRODUCTION ix
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
2. MARKET ENVIRONMENT 4
General 4
Macroeconomic Outlook 5
Demographic Trends 8
Consumer Income & Spending 12
Retail Sales Outlook 15
Manufacturing Outlook 17
Nondurable Goods Outlook 19
Food & Beverage Industry Overview 21
Fresh Produce Outlook 24
Packaging Industry Overview 26
Plastic Film Industry Overview 29
Technological Developments 33
Pricing Trends 35
Regulatory & Environmental Considerations 38
Recycling 39
Foreign Trade 40
International Activity 41
3. TYPES 42
General 42
Stretch Film 43
Production Methods 44
Resins 46
Products 49
Wrap 50
Stretch Labels & Sleeves 52
Hoods 53
Applications 55
Markets 57
Storage & Distribution 58
Product Packaging 62
Producers 66
Shrink Film 68
Resins 69
Products 74
Wrap 76
Labels 77
Bags 79
Hoods & Other 80
Applications 81
Markets 83
Product Packaging 84
Storage & Distribution 88
Producers 89
4. MARKETS 92
General 92
Product Packaging 93
Food 95
Meat, Poultry & Seafood 97
Dairy 101
Fresh Produce 102
Other Foods 103
Beverages 104
Paper & Textile Products 105
Paper 107
Textiles 108
Consumer Products 108
Types 110
Uses 111
Other Product Packaging 111
Agriculture 112
All Other 113
Storage & Distribution 113
Pallet Wrap 114
Stretch 115
Shrink 116
Other Storage & Distribution 117
5. RESINS 119
General 119
Low Density Polyethylene 121
Linear Low Density Polyethylene 123
Conventional LDPE 124
Producers 124
Polyvinyl Chloride 125
Other Resins 128
6. INDUSTRY STRUCTURE 133
General 133
Market Share 134
Mergers & Acquisitions 136
Marketing Strategies 140
Channels & Distribution 141
Research & Development 142
Competitive Strategies 144
Manufacturing & Development 145
Cooperative Agreements 146
Company Profiles 148
AEP Industries Incorporated 149
Alcan Packaging Food Americas, see Bemis
Alliance Plastics LLC 151
Allied Plastics, see Sigma Plastics
American Fuji Seal, see Fuji Seal International
AmTopp, see Inteplast
Applied Extrusion Technologies Incorporated 152
Bemis Company Incorporated 153
Berry Plastics Corporation 157
Bollore 160
Bonset America, see ITOCHU
Cenveo Incorporated 162
CMS Gilbreth Packaging Systems, see Cenveo
Coastal Films of Florida, see Sigma Plastics
Cryovac, see Sealed Air
Curwood, see Bemis
Dow Chemical Company 164
DuPont (EI) de Nemours 166
Dwyer (RB) Company Incorporated 167
Exopack Holding Corporation 168
Exxon Mobil Corporation 170
FlexSol Packaging, see Sigma Plastics
Fuji Seal International Incorporated 172
Hood Companies Incorporated 173
Ideal Sleeves International, see Dwyer (RB)
Illinois Tool Works Incorporated 174
Impaxx, see Cenveo
Inteplast Group Limited 176
Intertape Polymer Group Incorporated 178
ISO Poly Films, see Sigma Plastics
ITOCHU Corporation 180
ITW-GaleWrap, see Illinois Tool Works
Klöckner Pentaplast Group 182
LINPAC Group Limited 183
LyondellBasell Industries NV 184
McNeely Plastic Products, see Sigma Plastics
Mercury Plastics, see Sigma Plastics
MRI Flexible Packaging 186
Multi-Color Corporation 187
Paragon Films Incorporated 188
Performance Packaging, see Sigma Plastics
Pinnacle Films, see Inteplast
Pliant, see Berry Plastics
Poly-America LP 189
Poly Plastic Products, see Sigma Plastics
Poly Plastic Products of North Carolina,
see Sigma Plastics
Presto Products, see Reynolds Group
Printpack Incorporated 191
Reynolds Group Holdings Limited 192
Santa Fe Packaging, see Sigma Plastics
Sealed Air Corporation 195
Sigma Plastics Group 197
Signode Packaging Systems, see Illinois Tool Works
SKC Company Limited 200
SleeveCo 201
Strapex, see Illinois Tool Works
Up North Plastics, see Poly-America
VIBAC Group SpA 203
Vifan USA, see VIBAC
Western Plastics Limited 204

List Of Tables
SECTION I — EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Summary Table 3
SECTION II — MARKET ENVIRONMENT
1 Macroeconomic Indicators 8
2 Population & Households 12
3 Personal Consumption Expenditures 14
4 Retail Sales 17
5 Manufacturers’ Shipments 19
6 Nondurable Goods Shipments 21
7 Food & Beverage Shipments 24
8 Fresh Produce Production 26
9 Packaging Supply & Demand 28
10 Plastic Film Demand by Resin 32
11 Stretch & Shrink Film Pricing 38
SECTION III — TYPES
1 Stretch & Shrink Film Demand by Type 43
2 Stretch Film Demand by Production Method 45
3 Stretch Film Demand by Resin 48
4 Stretch Film Demand by Product 50
5 Stretch Film Demand by Application 56
6 Stretch Film Demand by Market 58
7 Stretch Film Demand in Storage & Distribution by Use 59
8 Stretch Film Demand in Product Packaging by Use 63
9 Shrink Film Demand by Resin 73
10 Shrink Film Demand by Product 75
11 Shrink Film Demand by Application 82
12 Shrink Film Demand by Market 84
13 Shrink Film Demand in Product Packaging by Use 87
14 Shrink Film Demand in Storage & Distribution by Use 89
SECTION IV — MARKETS
1 Stretch & Shrink Film Demand by Type & Market 93
2 Product Packaging Market for Stretch & Shrink Film 94
3 Food Markets for Stretch & Shrink Film by Type & Use 96
4 Meat, Poultry & Seafood Markets for Stretch & Shrink Film
by Type 98
5 Dairy Markets for Stretch & Shrink Film by Type 102
6 Fresh Produce Markets for Stretch & Shrink Film by Type 103
7 Other Food Markets for Stretch & Shrink Film by Type 104
8 Beverage Markets for Shrink Film 105
9 Paper & Textile Markets for Stretch & Shrink Film
by Type & Use 107
10 Consumer Markets for Stretch & Shrink Film by Type & Use 109
11 Other Stretch & Shrink Film Demand by Type & Use 112
12 Storage & Distribution Markets for Stretch & Shrink Film 114
SECTION V — RESINS
1 Stretch & Shrink Film Demand by Resin 120
2 Low Density Polyethylene Demand in Stretch & Shrink Film
by Type & Resin 122
3 Polyvinyl Chloride Demand in Stretch & Shrink Film by Type 127
4 Other Resins Demand in Stretch & Shrink Film
by Resin & Type 132
SECTION VI — INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
1 Selected Acquisitions & Divestitures 139
2 Selected Cooperative Agreements 147

List Of Charts
SECTION II — MARKET ENVIRONMENT
1 Plastic Film Demand by Resin, 2010 33
SECTION III — TYPES
1 Stretch Film Demand by Resin, 2010 49
2 Stretch Film Demand by Application, 2010 57
3 Stretch Film Demand in Product Packaging by Use, 2010 64
4 Shrink Film Demand by Resin, 2010 73
5 Shrink Film Demand by Product, 2010 75
6 Shrink Film Demand by Application, 2010 83
7 Shrink Film Demand in Product Packaging by Use, 2010 88
SECTION IV — MARKETS
1 Product Packaging Market for Stretch & Shrink Film, 2010 95
2 Food Markets for Stretch & Shrink Film by Use, 2010 97
3 Consumer Markets for Stretch & Shrink Film by Use, 2010 110
SECTION V — RESINS
1 Stretch & Shrink Film Demand by Resin, 2010 121
2 PVC Demand in Stretch & Shrink Film by Type, 2010 128
SECTION VI — INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
1 US Stretch & Shrink Film Market Share, 2010 134