Water Soluble Film Market size is forecast to reach $513 million by 2025, after growing at a CAGR of 5.3% during 2020-2025. With the rise in detergents and cleaning products, the demand for water soluble film market will grow. Growing public interest towards consumer goods products will further enhance the overall market demand for Water Soluble Film during the forecast period. 

The report: “Water Soluble Film Market – Forecast (2020-2025)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the water-soluble film industry. 

By Raw Material – Polypropylene, Hemicellulose (Xylan), Polyvinyl Alcohol / PVOH, Others.

By Application - Agrochemical, detergents, Window washing concentrate, Pigments & dyes, Bacteria and enzyme treatments, Toilet blocks, Water treatment chemicals, Others.

By End Use – Packaging, Pharmaceutical, Chemicals, Agriculture, Others.

By Geography – North America, South America, Europe, APAC, and RoW.

Polyvinyl Alcohol/ PVOH holds the largest share in the water-soluble film market. Polyvinyl alcohol or PVOH is a crystal clear, water soluble thermoplastic derived from polyvinyl acetate through partial or complete hydroxylation. The degree of hydroxylation determines its physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. The lower the number of residual acetate groups, the lower the water solubility and crystallinity but the higher the glass transition temperature. The degree of hydroxylation also affects the maximal moisture uptake which acts as a plasticizer and thus affects the mechanical and physical properties of the polymer. With increasing water uptake, the tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and hardness are reduced, while impact resistance and elongation at break are greatly increased. In other words, dry PVOH is a hard and crystalline thermoplastic with high Tg of about 375 K and high tensile strength whereas moist PVOH is rather soft and flexible and has noticeably lower tensile into strength depending on the amount of water absorbed. 

 

Detergents hold the largest segment in the water-soluble film market. Water soluble (PVA/PVOH) film is commercially made from polyvinyl alcohol resins and due to its water-soluble property, is widely used for water soluble small dose packaging of detergents. Active concentrate of liquid detergent ingredients is packaged in water soluble films. Water soluble Film is formulated in a manner, which makes it compatible with the liquid detergent for purposes of packaging, shipping, storage and usage. Water-soluble film technology is changing the way consumers clean dishes and laundry. Water-soluble film technology allows for packaging of concentrated detergents, using less formula for same great results. Not only do pods increase consumer convenience, they also enable proper dosing, safer handling and reduced risk of spills.

Packaging sector has been the primary market for water soluble film market. Water-soluble film, which is a thin film that is used to form packages that dissolve in contact with water. Products sold as ready to use packaging are becoming popular. There is a clear trend towards packaging detergents and cleaning products in water-soluble bags. The consumer does not apply aggressive product, there is no need to weigh or to dose product. The really clever solution: the product comes contact with water, not with human skin. water-soluble packaging includes packing liquid, gel and powder products in water-soluble film. It provides accurate weight premeasured doses of the product (Not required for further weighing or measuring. Comfortable and easy to use). It also offers safe handling i.e., no chemicals in contact with skin (Prevents exposure to hazardous materials per person) and avoids dust inhalation.

APAC dominated the water-soluble film market with a share of more than xx%, followed by North America and Europe. Countries such as India and China hold the major shares the in this region. A laundry detergent pod is a common household product which contains concentrated laundry detergent encapsulated in a dissolvable biodegradable polymer disc. The detergent is the soap (a mixture of surfactants with cleaning properties), whilst the water-soluble pouch it sits in is generally made from (polyvinyl alcohol) PVA or a derivative of PVA. It can be normally used with packaging machine under high humidity. It is especially suitable for unit-dose packaging of non-ionic surfactant products and applicable for low water-soluble packaging which requires high extensibility. It is also applicable for unit-dose packaging of regular cleanser, emulsion pesticide, water soluble fertilizer.

The rapid spread of coronavirus has had a major impact on global markets as, major economies of the world are completely lockdown due to this pandemic. Because of this major lockdown, suddenly all the consumer market has started to show zero interest towards purchasing any goods. One of the major difficulties, market is facing are the shutdown of all kinds of International transportation. But there has been a rapid increase in demand from packaging industries for medicines, food packaging with others, which has eventually led to the drive the market growth of UV stabilizer market.

Stringent governments regulations toward using ecofriendly and sustainable products will enhance overall growth of water-soluble film market.  Products innovation has been one of the major influences in reducing the environmental impact of laundry detergent. Sustainable consumption of detergents has been promoted by linking it to other benefits which consumers find more important. Water soluble films are in very precise dosage so they are very easy while using. Because of the film, it also does not come in contact with the human skin.

The water-soluble film is manufactured from raw materials such as Polypropylene, Hemicellulose (Xylan), Polyvinyl Alcohol / PVOH, Others. But as these raw materials are of higher cost the water-soluble film rate become much higher. This may affect the market growth of water-soluble film market. Polyvinyl alcohol, also known as PVOH, PVA, or PVAL, is a synthetic polymer that is soluble in water. It is effective in film forming, emulsifying, and has an adhesive quality. It has no odor and is not toxic, and is resistant to grease, oils, and solvents. It is ductile but strong, flexible, and functions as a high oxygen and aroma barrier.

Technology launches, acquisitions and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the water-soluble film market. In 2019, the market of water-soluble Film has been consolidated by the top five players accounting for xx% of the share. Major players in the water-soluble Film Market are 3M, Dupont de Nemours, Inc, SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD., Mitsubishi chemical corporation, and KURARAY Co. Ltd., among others.