Innovation boosts polyethylene film extrusion industry

Plastics industry consultant AMI has published a new report which suggests the Polyethylene Film industry is finally recovering from the impact of the global financial crisis of 2008.

The tenth edition of its Directory of Polyethylene Film Extruders in Europe states that although output is still around half a million tonnes below its 2007 peak, the industry has made a slow, steady recovery since then.

It said the success stories of the polyethylene film industry has been its ability to downgauge and reduce material weight through the use of innovative linear and metallocene grade material which allow extruders to create thinner, yet stronger films.

“Despite the emergence of several new players in this edition of AMI’s directory, the polyethylene film market remains highly competitive and while the number of sites may have grown, it is not necessarily reflected in the number of companies involved,” said AMI.

“Consolidation and restructuring continues to be a major feature of the film extrusion market.”