Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Films Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028

The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.28%, reaching US$1,162.262 million in 2028 from US$758.759 million in 2021.

Government regulations and demand for single-use detergent packaging are driving the demand for PVA films. The rising need for biocompatible, environmentally friendly, and water-soluble PVA films in various sectors, such as LCD panels, lenses, and other devices, is also contributing to this growth. During the forecast period, the market is anticipated to be driven by the manufacture of displays. For instance, the Korea Electronics Association estimates that South Korea earned roughly USD 20,715 million from screens in 2020, which led to further growth in polyvinyl alcohol films globally.
The growing demand for environmentally friendly materials and goods in emerging nations, increased hygiene awareness, and negative environmental repercussions from the increased disposal of electronic devices are the main drivers propelling market expansion. This has led to government initiatives to promote green packaging to expand the use of PVA in developed regions like North America and Europe.

Growing demand for biodegradable products has influenced various manufacturers to launch eco-friendly products is upsurging the market. For instance, in September 2022, Bioplastics International developed the first water-soluble PVA made from sugar cane alcohol, reducing the use of fossil fuels. Furthermore, in May 2022, EcoSol was released by Cortec®; by simply tossing the pouch or bag into the intended location and letting water break down the PVA film and release its contents, EcoSol® makes goods incredibly simple to apply.

Growing demand for packaging due to increasing awareness regarding sustainability

Polyvinyl alcohol films are used in single-use packaging for detergents as they are biodegradable polymers that don't contain halogens like chlorine. Compared to other common plastic films, polyvinyl alcohol films degrade into innocuous molecules. PVA films also find applications in the production of laundry bags, which provide a water-soluble and biodegradable solution for containing soiled or contaminated garments during laundry. The increasing demand for sustainable products has led to recent deals and developments by manufacturers that are anticipated to affect the future business of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Films. For instance, in January 2023, International chemical manufacturer BASF SE expanded its polymer dispersions production facility in Merak, Indonesia. In the ASEAN area, where major paper and board manufacturers are situated, the expansion aids in addressing the growing demand for luxury packaging. This growth further enhances BASF's reputation as a premier and trusted provider in this area.

The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films market is segmented into agrochemical packaging, detergent packaging, laundry bags, embroidery, polarizers, and others, based on application. Polarizers are essential components in various electronic displays, including LCD screens, smartphones, televisions, and polarized sunglasses. PVA films possess unique optical properties that make them suitable for polarizer applications. The demand for electronic displays is constantly increasing, driven by technological advancements, rising consumer preferences for high-resolution and immersive visual experiences, and the growing adoption of electronic devices across industries. This surge in demand directly translates to an increased need for polarizers.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow due to increasing demand from countries like India.

The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films market, by geography, is analyzed into North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The demand for agrochemical such as fertilizers and pesticides have shown a significant increase in India owing to the various efforts undertaken by the agriculture sector to boost production output. The growing detergent sales and favorable government initiatives to promote sustainable packaging are also expected to increase the demand for polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films in India. For instance, in March 2023, Hindustan Unilever stated that the company's "Surf Excel" sales crossed the US$1 billion mark in India in 2022. In January 2023, India's Department of Consumer Affairs announced to set new regulatory standards that would encourage the adoption of sustainable packaging in the country. The ban imposed by the Indian government on single-use plastic from July 2022 is also expected to act as an additional driving factor for the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films market growth in India.

Market Developments:

• In February 2023, Kuraray PovalTM (polyvinyl alcohol, PVOH), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyvinyl butyral film, and SentryGlas® are four of the specialty chemicals manufacturer Kuraray's products that were subject to a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) by the product sustainability consulting firm Sphera Solutions.
• In February 2022, the launch of Water Soluble PVA Replacement for Plastics by Bioplastics International. Bioplastics International has introduced a water-soluble alternative to petroleum-based plastics to reduce the massive plastic pollution in seas.

Market Segmentation:

By Application

• Agrochemical Packaging
• Detergent Packaging
• Laundry Bags
• Embroidery
• Polarizer
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• UK
• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Italy
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Others