Water Soluble Film Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis By Type (Cold Water-Soluble Films and Hot Water-Soluble Films), Material Type, Dissolution Rate, Form, Application and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Water Soluble Film Market is accounted for $0.4 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $0.6 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period. Water-soluble film, a thin, biodegradable material, dissolves completely in water without leaving any residue. Composed primarily of water-soluble polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), these films find diverse applications across industries. In packaging, they offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics, particularly for single-use items like detergent pods or personal care products. Their solubility also makes them convenient for packaging water-soluble products, like dishwasher tablets or fertilizers, as they can be dropped directly into water without unwrapping. Their ability to dissolve quickly and completely in water minimizes waste and environmental impact, making them a promising solution in the quest for sustainable packaging and manufacturing practices.

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Canada's total health expenditure was around USD 344 billion in 2023, an increase of 2.3%. The total health spending was around 12.1% of Canada's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging

As consumers become more environmentally conscious, there's a growing demand for packaging solutions that are biodegradable, compostable, and less harmful to the environment. This shift in consumer preferences has led to increased adoption of water-soluble films as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics. Furthermore, regulatory pressures and government initiatives aimed at reducing plastic waste have also fueled the demand for water-soluble films.

Restraint:

Technical challenges and inconsistent quality

Technical limitations may restrict the range of applications for water-soluble films. For example, if films cannot withstand certain temperature or humidity conditions, they may not be suitable for packaging certain products or industries, limiting market penetration and growth potential. However addressing these technical challenges and ensuring consistent quality is crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of the water-soluble film market.

Opportunity:

Rising demand for convenience and single-dose packaging

Water-soluble films offer a convenient solution for single-dose packaging, as they can be easily dissolved in water, eliminating the need for unwrapping or disposal. This has led to increased adoption of water-soluble films by industries such as pharmaceuticals, detergents, and personal care products. Further consumers are increasingly seeking convenient packaging solutions that simplify usage and disposal drives the growth of the market.

Threat:

Limited shelf life and storage requirements

Water-soluble films often require specific storage conditions, such as controlled temperature and humidity levels, to maintain their integrity and performance. These requirements can increase storage costs for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, particularly if specialized facilities or equipment are needed. In addition, limited shelf life and storage requirements can complicate logistics and inventory management processes. Short shelf life may necessitate frequent inventory turnover and just-in-time production strategies to minimize waste, which can increase operational complexity and costs.

Covid-19 Impact

Lockdown measures and reduced consumer spending affected demand for non-essential products, impacting segments such as detergent pods or agricultural chemicals packaged with water-soluble films. Additionally, uncertainties surrounding the pandemic led to delays in investment decisions and new product launches, slowing market growth. However, the emphasis on hygiene and safety measures during the pandemic has reinforced the importance of single-dose packaging for minimizing contamination risks, potentially driving long-term demand for water-soluble films in sectors prioritizing safety and convenience.

The hot water-soluble films segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The hot water-soluble films segment is estimated to have a lucrative growth, as hot water-soluble films often exhibit faster dissolution rates and greater solubility in hot water, enhancing their performance in applications where rapid dissolution is critical. This can lead to improved user experience and product efficacy, driving demand for hot water-soluble films in industries prioritizing efficiency and convenience.

The polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) segment is anticipated to witness the highest CAGR growth during the forecast period, owing to the utilization of PVP in water-soluble films encourages ongoing research and development efforts to improve film formulations, optimize processing techniques, and explore new applications. This fosters innovation within the water-soluble film market, leading to the introduction of advanced products with enhanced performance and functionality.

Region with largest share:

Asia Pacific is projected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period owing to the stringent government regulations and policies aimed at reducing plastic pollution are also contributing to the growth of the water-soluble film market in Asia Pacific. Many countries in the region are implementing bans or restrictions on single-use plastics, encouraging industries to explore alternative packaging materials like water-soluble films.

Region with highest CAGR:

North America is projected to have the highest CAGR over the forecast period, owing to increasing environmental consciousness among consumers and regulatory pressure to reduce plastic waste are driving the adoption of sustainable packaging solutions like water-soluble films. Companies in North America are increasingly looking for alternatives to traditional plastics, contributing to the growth of the water-soluble film market.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in the Water Soluble Film Market include Acedog Limited, Aicello Corporation, Amtrex Nature Care Pvt Ltd, Arrow Greentech Ltd., Changzhou Kelin PVA Water Soluble Films Co Ltd, Cinch Packaging Materials Co Ltd, Cortec Corporation, Foshan Polyva Materials Co Ltd, Harke Group, Huntingdon Fusion Techniques HFT, Kuraray Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Neptun Technologies GMBH, Nissin Corporation, Noble Industries, Polatechno Co Ltd, Sekisui Chemical Co. Ltd., Sigma-Aldrich Co LLC, Soltec Development Inc and The Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co Ltd

Key Developments:

In May 2024, Asahi Kasei and Mitsubishi Chemical to start joint feasibility study on carbon neutrality of ethylene production facilities in western Japan. The reduction of GHG emissions from ethylene production is thus a serious issue.

In May 2024, Santen and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma announce the conclusion of a contract for the joint sales promotion in Japan of Alesion(R) Eyelid Cream 0.5%, a new treatment for allergic conjunctivitis

Types Covered:

• Cold Water-Soluble Films
• Hot Water-Soluble Films

Material Types Covered:

• Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
• Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)
• Polyester
• Other Material Types

Dissolution Rates Covered:

• Fast Soluble Films
• Medium Soluble Films
• Difficult Soluble Films

Forms Covered:

• Sheets
• Rolls

Applications Covered:

• Laundry Bags
• Detergent
• Agrochemical
• Water Treatment Chemical Packaging
• Pharmaceutical Packaging
• Healthcare & Hygiene Products Packaging
• Embroidery
• Food Packaging
• Other Applications

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2030
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

Free Customization Offerings:

All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:

• Company Profiling
  • Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
  • SWOT Analysis of key players (up to 3)
• Regional Segmentation
  • Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
  • Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances