Freedonia: U.S. demand for specialty films to approach $7.6 billion in 2012

Demand for specialty films is forecast to advance 4.7 percent per year to $7.6billion in 2012, according to Specialty Films, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., aCleveland-based industry research firm. Gains will be driven by the increasing need for high-performance plastic films which offer such benefits as barrier properties, mechanical strength and chemical resistance in packaging and construction applications. The penetration of specialty films into new, high-growth market areas such as photovoltaic modules and biodegradable bags will also bolster advances in demand.

Safety and security films and light control films are two closely related groups ofspecialty films, as both are applied to glass substrates and are used in motor vehiclesand buildings, according to the study. While the use of polyvinyl butyral interlayer films in laminated vehicle glass is highly mature and offers minimal opportunities for growth, better prospects are expected for light control films. These films can reduce energy costs in buildings by controlling the transmission of light through windows. Demand for light control films will also benefit from emerging applications in the fast-growing photovoltaic module market.