AMI, Bristol, 16/08/21 – Cast PP Films – The European Market, is a brand new report from leading plastics market intelligence providers, AMI. The company has leveraged its expertise and proven methodology in other consumer and industrial films, to complete this new study for 2021.The report provides critical insight and analysis of the production, capacity and demand of Cast PP (polypropylene) film (CPP) in Europe, together with trends in key consumer and industrial applications.

Demand for Cast PP films continues to grow. The heat resistant properties of the film are invaluable to food packaging converters as well as those catering to the medical and healthcare market, sectors which have proven themselves to be Covid-19 resilient industries.

The Covid-19 pandemic also caused consumers to become more concerned with sterility and safety of their products, choosing sealed products other unpackaged, or those with loose wrapping. This stalled the “less plastic packaging” trend although this is expected to pick up as sustainability comes back to the fore.

Although Cast PP film is used worldwide, the market in Europe is of particular interest, being at the forefront of the drive to sustainability and the circular economy. Amid tightening regulations on recycling and surging media and public concern around plastic litter, companies across the plastics value chain are investigating how to mitigate this potential threat to the plastic films sector. Cast PP films can be utilised in mono-polymer and polyolefin “recycle-ready” film constructions, making it a go-to film for many packaging applications, and spurring future growth opportunities.

The study explores the variety of different properties that Cast PP films can offer the end-user, and the trends which differ by application. Each of these properties and more, is explored by end-use sector, whether in food packaging, non-food packaging or other technical applications.

New manufacturing techniques are providing further options for versatility, and new Cast PP film lines confirmed for future production are earmarked for capacity expansion or upgrading lines for better speed and efficiency.

There is still a West/East divide in terms of packaging use. Cast PP production is growing in new geographic locations, which will prompt a change in trade flows. 

Food packaging accounts for the largest production volume globally, with growth continuing to be spurred by changing consumer lifestyles which require more convenience products, especially those which require heat resistance, such as retort and sterilisable pack formats.

In contrast, the production of Cast PP film for stationery is declining as a result of the move to paperless offices. As a consequence, food packaging’s share of overall Cast PP production is increasing.

Companies active in the industry, in addition to those considering entering the market for the first time, must understand the trends that determine aspects including future industry size and structure. In this competitive market, knowledge is critical to the development of successful strategies for growth in sales and profitability.

AMI’s new report Cast PP Films – the European Market provides an independent assessment of the industry. Key issues addressed in the study include production and demand drivers in significant countries of production, in addition to a review of trade from further afield. Cast PP film production is also analysed by end-use application and pack format type, with a review of competitive film structures and a forecast to 2025.  

This comprehensive study builds on and expands AMI's successful reports and databases related to the PP film industry and enables industry players to:

• Get unrivalled data on the size and structure of the industry in Europe
• Identify key material trends for consumer and industrial films
• Assess growth dynamics
• Understand the evolution of trade flows and impact on supply
• Evaluate the future outlook for Cast PP film production and trade

Further information: Andrea Jenn, Consultant – Flexible Films, AMI Consulting
T \ +44 (0)117 924 9442 E \ Andrea.Jenn@ami.international

A new report from AMI Consulting published in June 2021 presents a comprehensive analysis of the state of play and future outlook for the recycling of flexible polyolefin films in Europe. It analyses the industry’s operating environment, and the particular challenges involved in the collection, sorting and recycling of flexible films.

In preparing the report, AMI’s comprehensive and detailed in-house data on virgin polymer demand, polymer end use applications, and recycling capacities was combined with an extensive research programme including conversations with a wide range of industry participants.

The quantitative analysis includes a focus on volumes of post-use flexible polyolefin films generated as waste by end use sector and, considering collection rates, levels of contamination and international trade in post-use plastics, an assessment of the volumes of post-use films available to EU+3 recyclers as inputs into the recycling extrusion process. The latter data point is of particular importance given it marks the new calculation point for the EU’s recycling targets. Data is provided for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021, with forecasts for 2025 and 2030.

Read the full press release here: European recycling industry prepares for larger volumes of post-use flexible polyolefin films becoming available

After the great success of the global edition of AMI’s online event Agricultural Film, we are excited to release the agenda for the Agricultural Film Americas virtual congress, taking place on August 17 -19, 2021.

Agriculture has been highlighted as an area of rapid technological advance, necessitated by world food demand, and recent developments in agricultural films are a prime example of this. At the virtual congress you will discover global cutting-edge advances in film technology, update your knowledge on key market trends and sustainability strategies, allowing you to understand the size of your opportunity in the Americas agricultural film markets. The online event offers plenty of opportunities for productive networking to foster closer industry cooperation and encourage the exchange of market and technical information with like-minded professionals. 

The agenda will provide a deep dive on the industry’s evolution, how film producers are taking advantage of growth dynamics and ultimately where the opportunities are.  Our speakers and panellists, including representatives from Berry BPI, USDA, ExxonMobil, Imaflex and more, will review the latest trends in demand, production and innovations in greenhouse, mulch and silage films from different perspectives of the supply chain.

Elena Mozzato, AMI Consultant, working on the Agricultural Film event says: “We will look at new manufacturing technologies in multi-layer films, novelties in resin formulation, improved properties, additional functionalities, as well as practical product applications and case studies. We will discuss recycling and lifecycle of agricultural films, end of life considerations and other waste management options, such as collection, washing, sorting etc, looking at challenges, limitations but also opportunities. Within the circular economy and sustainability topic, we will cover biodegradable films, biomaterials development and the use of renewables”.

In addition to the three-day agenda, the online platform also hosts a virtual exhibition area, allowing all attendees to explore and interact with the industry key players showcasing their products. During the designated networking sessions, professionals can connect via private meetings, scheduled with their chosen contacts from across the supply chain, including resin and masterbatch producers to film extruders, regulators, recyclers and growers.

You can see the virtual congress agenda and book your place at www.ami.ltd/AgriFilmAmericas

AMI is excited to release the programme for our leading European Cables conference. This event will take place, in-person in Cologne on 14-16 September 2021.

After running a number of virtual events, we are so pleased to be preparing for this exciting LIVE conference. This will be the 21^st edition of one of our longest running events. Cables has established itself as a key meeting place for the wire and cable industry to discuss the latest information on the market, growing end-use applications, innovations in materials, testing procedures and cable manufacturing processes.

“AMI’s Cables conference is a valuable and important annual meeting of the industry with good opportunities for exchange and growth in knowledge and expertise”Materials Development Engineer, CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS GmbH & Co. KG

AMI Consulting has recently updated our market report, which has helped drive forward the programme development allowing us to invite key players across the industry to cover recent projects (e.g. German corridors), updates in processibility and fire resistance and advances in raw materials for e-mobility.

Speakers include Carsten Wolff presenting on behalf of NKT, Benjamin Ferlay from PRYSMIAN GROUP, a joint case study by Frank Fuchs of ENTEX RUST & MITSCHKE and Detlef Wald of EIFELKABEL, Dr. Roland Dongping Zhang will join us from TENNET TSO, and of course AMI’s own Cristina de Santos.

Cristina de Santos, Unit Manager – Energy & Infrastructure, AMI Consulting comments ‘We’re looking forward to this exciting edition of Cables and to hear from these fantastic speakers’

Alongside the 2-day conference agenda, there are numerous networking opportunities including exhibition and refreshment breaks throughout, a cocktail reception on 14^th September and a networking dinner following the first day of presentations. Attendees will get the chance to meet with their peers, the speakers, sponsors and exhibitors over coffee, meal, and drinks.

For more information and to book your place, click here

Or contact the organiser, Camille Lemercier at camille.lemercier@ami.international 

We are pleased to release the programme for our established Polyolefin Additives conference, taking place in Berlin, Germany on 26-28 October 2021.

Highlights of the programme include:

• Focus on China: Market trends and projections for the Chinese polyolefin market post-Covid-19
• Looking at the regulatory developments for the polyolefin additive industry
• Systematic study of PCR stabilisation with standard antioxidants
• A new generation of stabilisers for high-quality polyolefine recyclates
• Round Table Discussions - Regulatory Updates, The Pandemic and Sustainability – Led by the advisory board

We have been working closely with our Advisory Board to help build this exciting agenda. Our Advisory Board is made up of leading names within the industry who have shared their knowledge, expertise and contacts to ensure this conference continues to deliver relevant and interesting content for the entire supply chain.

Jordaine Minchin, Conference Producer – Polyolefin Additives, says ‘It’s been fantastic working alongside the advisory board, they’ve really helped me understand the industry drivers which we’ve reflected in the agenda’

View the programme and book your place, here. 

Looking to increase your exposure at the event? There is a range of sponsorship and exhibition packages to help you gain the most from your attendance. Visit the website or contact the Conference Organiser to discuss your options: Louella Osano E/ louella.osano@ami.international or T/+44 (0)117 314 8111   

AMI, Bristol, 29/06/21 – AMI’s brand new report Polyethylene Film – The Global Market maps the worldwide landscape of production and trade flows in the polyethylene (PE) film industry, together with providing critical insight on resin usage and demand trends in key consumer and industrial applications.

Common technology platforms and the commoditisation of polyethylene grades means the film extrusion market is becoming increasingly global. Together with changing patterns of demand, the PE film industry is entering a new era, with more mature Western markets, China’s push towards greater self-sufficiency and resin supply migrating to faster growing markets such as India, or to areas with a feedstock advantage i.e. North America and the Middle East.

Asia and Australasia remains the largest production hub for PE film, with China the single largest manufacturing nation.  From a demand perspective, it is developing markets, fuelled by young and growing populations, urbanisation and emerging middle classes, which offer the most growth potential.  Meanwhile, in mature Western markets, growth rates are lower and producers are more focused on customised technical innovation to increase the range of end-use applications. Sustainability and environmental concerns are also shaping production trends and influencing material innovation in all regions, including MDO-PE and BOPE for mono-material, “recycle-ready” packaging.

The progression of end-use applications varies, influenced by socio-economic factors and regional market maturity. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, healthcare and hygiene films were already enjoying robust growth, albeit from a low base, to cater to the needs of aging populations and improving medical provisions in emerging markets. The onset of the pandemic brought soaring additional demand for personal protective equipment (PPE). In response, many companies pivoted their operations into areas of high demand, such as medical aprons and other disposables.

Food packaging accounts for the largest production volume globally, with growth continuing to be spurred by changing consumer lifestyles which require more convenience products. This category has also benefitted from increased demand during the pandemic, with consumers appreciative of its safety and hygiene benefits.

In contrast, the production of PE film for retail carrier bags is declining as a result of taxes and bans on the production and/or distribution of single-use lightweight plastic (primarily HDPE) retail bags in countries around the world.  As a consequence, HDPE’s share of overall polymer use is declining.

Companies active in the industry in addition to those considering entering the market for the first time, must understand the trends that determine aspects including future industry size and structure. In this competitive market, knowledge is critical to the development of successful strategies for growth in sales and profitability.

The 2021 edition of AMI’s Polyethylene Films – The Global Market report provides a detailed independent assessment of the industry which is becoming increasingly global in scope. Key issues addressed in the study include production and demand drivers in each of six global regions, in addition to a detailed review of global imports and exports data. Film and bag production is also analysed by end-use application and raw material type, with a forecast to 2025.

This comprehensive study builds on and expands AMI's successful reports and databases related to the PE film industry and enables industry players to:

• Get unrivalled data on the size and structure of the global industry
• Identify key material trends for consumer and industrial films
• Assess growth dynamics
• Determine supply economics by region
• Understand the evolution of trade flows and impact on supply
• Evaluate the future outlook for global PE film production and trade

For further information please contact:Charmaine Russell, Consumer and Industrial Films Unit Manager, AMI Consulting
+44 (0)117 924 9442, charmaine.russell@ami.international