Sustainability is transforming the landscape in high barrier films, particularly across mature packaging markets. The European Union is pushing change in all packaging with its Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation due to come into force on 1st January 2030. The regulation will have far-reaching implications for the industry, not only within Europe, but with a ripple effect across the globe. Many multinational brands are set to use these regulations as a global standard, and high barrier packaging as well as all packaging structures will need to be recyclable to remain on the market. This has resulted in significant R&D in mono-polyolefin solutions, with MDO-PE and BOPE enabling a wider range of high barrier options to be produced.

Amongst high barrier films, PVDC films and coatings have been a major casualty of the sustainability agenda, with demand falling sharply in Europe and sluggish growth across other regions. There remain pockets of high demand, however, particularly in Asia and in markets with sizeable meat exports, where consumption of PVDC films and coatings remain a barrier of choice providing high barrier solution cost-effectively.

BOPET films continue to be a key film in the high barrier market. Whilst under question in North America and Europe due to their being part of multi-material structures and their lack of recyclability. BOPET film substitution is taking place only slowly, due to the capital expenditure required for change and the performance limitations of alternatives. Globally BOPET remains a strong contender in high barrier films with its market share not expected to be eroded. Alufoil laminates provide the highest barrier solution, but their replacement is ongoing particularly in markets where the drive to mono-material structures is the strongest. This is resulting in significant R&D into ultra-high barrier films which will comply with forthcoming sustainability legislation, and the proportion of ultra-high barrier films is increasing.

Strong consumer-led interest in paper packaging has seen brand-owners explore possibilities in high barrier paper. Currently the material is unable to compete on barrier performance or price, but success may impact the high barrier films market in future.

Responding to converters’ desire to be versatile, technology providers are offering one-stop-shop solutions to resolve any barrier requirement on any structure, be it coextrusion, wet or dry coatings, compostable or traditional material. Newer barrier materials and solutions are coming to the fore, making this a dynamic market offering participants opportunities for future growth.

In our latest market report High Barrier Films for Food Packaging - The Global Market 2024, our expert consultants have combined first-hand industry insight across all polymer substrates with data analysis to give a comprehensive picture of this increasingly important sector. The research, which was released in November 2024, gives investors and industry participants a thorough grasp of the competitive challenges, market dynamics, and industry development.

If you are interested in hearing more about the report you can request your free proposal that contains more detail on the structure and findings included in the report by contacting me:

Brian Hinchliffe
Market Intelligence Sales Manager
+44 (0) 77 6038 3005
+44 (0) 117 314 8124
brian.hinchliffe@amiplastics.com