Strong growth for barrier films to continue in USA

Barrier film will retain its position as the largest segment of the specialty film industry and continue to grow well and show strong growth in the US market over the next few years, as per a report by the Freedonia Group. Demand for barrier films is expected to reach a value of US$3.74 bln in 2010 - a 5.5% annual increase from its 2005 level of $2.87 bln.

Growth will be driven by strong demand for barrier film in meat packaging, necessary for maintaining an optimum atmosphere inside the pack. Conductive film will experience strong growth of 6.9% pa, taking demand to US$541 mln in 2010. This will be fuelled by a resurgent US electronics industry.

The overall market for specialty film is forecast to reach US$7.30 bln in 2010, a 4.8% annual rise from US$5.78 bln in 2005.