High-Performance Films

High-Performance Films published by BCC Research in February, 2010. This report consists of 211 pages and the price starts from US $ 4850.

Introduction

Abstract

THIS REPORT:

• Details on significant trends affecting high-performance polymer films and their major end-use application markets, including polyesters, nylons, polyolefin-based, polycarbonates, fluoropolymers, cyclic olefin copolymers and polyimides
• Five-year forecasts for specific end markets for high-performance films by material types, with sections devoted to each class of high-performance film
• Analyses and market developments from the viewpoint of major applications for high-performance films, including automotive, electrical/electronic, magnetic media, packaging, photographic/reprographic, and release films
• Environmental and regulatory considerations that affect high-performance films, and their impact on products and markets
• Profiles of the major companies in the industry and a detailed patent analysis

INTRODUCTION

High-performance thermoplastic (TP) films are playing an increasingly important role in modern society. Historically, the most important applications were for photographic and reprographic applications. Today, they may make possible economic electric vehicles, better liquid crystal displays (LCDs), or the birth of an economically practical photovoltaic (PV) industry.

Major companies such as DuPont, Solvay, and 3M are important technology drivers, and invest significant capital in R&D to improve the technology. Innovations were driven initially by chemistry. Increasingly, they are driven by improved fabrication and treatment of films. One example is the incredibly complex development of specialty polyolefin films as membrane separators for lithium-ion batteries. Engineers define films in different ways, but generally they have thicknesses ranging from 0.001 in. to 0.30 in. Some markets define films slightly differently. Thicknesses above 0.20 in. (20 mils) may be defined as sheet by some. Thicknesses up to 0.40 in. (40 mils) may be defined as film by some engineers. As explained in this report, minimum film thicknesses are trending toward micro as exciting technologies emerge. Most high-temperature films are in the range of 0.001 in. to 0.010 in.

A word on film thickness units: both English and metric units commonly are used. U.S. film thickness is expressed in gauge. In film technology, gauge is a measurement where one gauge unit equals 0.01 mil or about 0.25 micron. Perhaps the easiest way to remember the relationship between these unit systems is that 100-gauge film is 1 mil or 25 microns thick. For this report, film gauge will be referred to in the manner that is the standard in the industry under discussion. See the appendix for an equivalency chart.

STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goals and objectives of this study include the following:

• Identifying trends affecting high-performance polymer films and their major end-use application markets. For example, the PV market is emerging as the fastest-growing market for high-performance film. Each of the major polymer films or film families is discussed and analyzed in detail. They include polyesters, nylons, acrylics, polyolefin-based, polycarbonates (PCs), fluoropolymers, cyclic olefin copolymers, and polyimides (PIs).
• Reviewing, analyzing, and forecasting specific end markets for high-performance films by material types, with sections devoted to each class of high-performance film. This includes both the major resin types and several smaller-volume film materials for which markets were estimated.
• Analyzing and forecasting market developments from the viewpoint of major applications for high-performance films (i.e., automotive, electrical/electronic (E/E), magnetic media, packaging, photographic/ reprographic and release films).
• Analyzing how structural issues affect the high-performance plastic films industry such as the roles of film fabricators, converters, and distributors; product differentiation and substitution; marketing and pricing and international aspects of the business.
• Profiling many of the most important suppliers to the high-performance plastic films industry; for example, providers of plastic resins (many of whom also fabricate films), equipment producers, and specific film converters and distributors.

REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY

New technologies emerging for high-performance films will have a major impact on major issues, ranging from electric vehicles to PV systems. High-performance markets increasingly are becoming where the major chemical companies want to place their future. DuPont, for example, expects its sales for PV applications to exceed $1 billion by 2012. Much of this is coming from its increasing investment in fluoropolymer and other high-performance films.

These markets offer opportunities to create value and move discussions to topics beyond purchase price. Technology advances in this business area will help drive technology developments in other areas, such as electronics. This will have a significant effect on our economy, and even provide the ability to solve climate change problems. High-performance films offer opportunities for applications such as solar cells and fuel cells that can help solve global warming, one of the most serious environmental concerns.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

Due to the size and diversity of the materials and products used in high-performance plastic films, this report should be of interest to a wide group of organizations and individuals. This includes people who are involved in the development, design, manufacture, sale, and use of these films, as well as government officials and the general public. This report will be of value to technical and business personnel in the following areas, among others:

• Personnel in end-user companies in a wide range of industries from aerospace to photographic film and food packaging; the focus of this report is on the interests of specifying engineers and procurement commodity managers
• Marketing and management personnel in companies that produce, market, and sell high-performance plastic films.
• Companies involved in the design and construction of process plants that manufacture both the basic film resins and high-performance plastic films themselves
• Companies that supply, or want to supply, equipment and services to high-performance plastic films companies
• Financial institutions that supply money for such facilities and systems, including banks, merchant bankers, venture capitalists, and others
• Investors in both equity and fixed-income markets; the fate of the specialty film business very much weighs on the values of the publicly traded stocks of companies such as 3M, Kodak, and DuPont
• Personnel in government at many levels, ranging from federal to state and local authorities, many of whom are involved in trying to ensure public health and safety; the report also will be of interest to military scientists studying new packaging and equipment.

SCOPE OF REPORT

High-performance films may be defined in any of several ways: by volume, price, performance, end-use markets, resin types, or a combination of two or more of these characteristics.

For this study, high-performance films are defined as thin gauge, mostly extruded or solution cast-polymer sheets that meet the following criteria: pricing above commodity film levels; continuous-use temperature above commodity plastics; end uses requiring technical capability and thickness at or below 30 mils. These are films that are used primarily for their performance characteristics, not because of their price. Emphasis is on those markets and products where opportunities are the greatest.SCOPE of report

Therefore, distinguishing characteristics of high-performance films are as follows:

• Relatively expensive
• Thin gauge (compared to sheet)
• Possess special performance characteristics.

High-performance films generally are fabricated (or converted) in relatively small volumes (at least compared to commodity films). Much of their value is created after the film is extruded.

The focal point is on high-performance resin chemistries, including the following:

• Polyesters
• Nylons
• Polyolefin-based specialties
• PCs
• Fluoropolymer
• PIs
• Cyclic olefin copolymers
• Acrylics

Basic polyolefins, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), are not included. Also excluded are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene. Specialty polyolefin-based films are included, particularly when multilayer construction is involved. They are ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), ionomers, polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), and polymethyl pentene (PMP).

Fluoropolymer films are an important of this report. They include the following:

• Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
• Polyvinyl fluoride (PVF)
• Fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP)
• Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE)
• Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF)
• Perfluoroalkoxy copolymer (PFA)
• Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE)
• Ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE)

Other resin chemistries are also covered, but in less detail because their roles in films are not as well developed. They include polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystal polymers (LCPs), polysulfones (PSUs), polyetherimides (PEIs), polyetheretherketones (PEEKs), and benzocyclobutene (BCB).

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

Extensive searches were made of the literature and the Internet, including many of the leading trade publications, as well as technical compendia, government publications, and information from trade and other associations.

Table of Contents

Chapter- 1: INTRODUCTION -- Complimentary 6

• STUDY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 1
• REASONS FOR DOING THE STUDY 2
• INTENDED AUDIENCE 2
• SCOPE OF REPORT 3
• SCOPE OF REPORT (CONTINUED) 4
• METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES 5
• AUTHOR' S CREDENTIALS 5
• RELATED BCC REPORTS 5
• BCC ONLINE SERVICES 5
• DISCLAIMER 6

Chapter-2: SUMMARY 3

• SUMMARY 7
• SUMMARY TABLE U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS MARKET, THROUGH 2015 ($ BILLIONS) 8
• SUMMARY FIGURE U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS MARKET, 2008-2015 ($ BILLIONS) 8
• SUMMARY (CONTINUED) 9

Chapter-3: INDUSTRY OVERVIEW 4

• OVERVIEW 14
• RESIN MARKET 14
• TABLE 2 U.S. HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILM MARKET BY RESIN VOLUME, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 14
• TABLE 2 (CONTINUED) 15
• FIGURE 1 U.S. HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILM MARKET BY RESIN VOLUME, 2010 AND 2015 (MILLION LBS) 15
• TABLE 3 COMPETITIVE OVERVIEW OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS, BY APPLICATION 16
• Polyester Films 16
• BACKGROUND 17
• MARKET ANALYIS AND FORECAST 17
• TABLE 4 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR POLYESTER FILMS BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 18
• FIGURE 2 U.S. POLYESTER FILM MARKET BY APPLICATION, 2009 AND 2015 (MILLION LBS) 18
• COMMERCIAL ISSUES 19
• TECHNICAL ISSUES 20
• PET FILM FABRICATORS 20
• TABLE 5 DOMESTIC POLYESTER FILM FABRICATORS 21
• PET FILM APPLICATIONS 21
• TABLE 6 POLYESTER FILM APPLICATIONS 22
• E/E 22
• E/E (Continued) 23
• Photographic/Reprographic Films 24
• Motion Picture Films 25
• Graphics/Reprographics 25
• X-ray Films 26
• Inkjet Printing 26
• Packaging 26
• Release Film and P/S Tape 27
• Displays 28
• Hot-stamping Films 28
• PVs 29
• Flat-panel Displays 29
• Office Products 30
• Other Applications 30
• Strapping Tape 30
• Window Glazing 30
• TYPES 31
• Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) 31
• PBT Films 31
• POLYOLEFIN-BASED HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS 32
• OVERVIEW 32
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 32
• TABLE 7 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR POLYOLEFIN HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS BY RESIN VOLUME, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 32
• FIGURE 3 U.S. POLYOLEFIN HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILM MARKET BY RESIN VOLUME, 2010 AND 2015 (MILLION LBS) 33
• TABLE 8 U.S. POLYOLEFIN HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILM MARKET BY RESIN VALUE, 2010 ($ MILLIONS) 33
• TABLE 9 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR POLYOLEFIN-BASED FILMS BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 34
• EVOH 34
• Background 34
• Properties 35
• Applications 35
• Coextruded Multilayer Structures 35
• Laminated 36
• Biaxially Oriented 36
• EVOH Producers and Film Fabricators 37
• Fabrication Technology 37
• Emerging Trends 38
• IONOMERS 39
• PMP 40
• PVDC 41
• PVDC (Continued) 42
• PVOH 43
• PE/PP 44
• NEW DEVELOPMENTS 44
• NYLON FILMS 45
• OVERVIEW 45
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 46
• TABLE 10 U.S. NYLON FILM MARKET BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 47
• FIGURE 4 NYLON FILM MARKET BY APPLICATION, 2010 AND 2015 (MILLION LBS) 47
• TYPES 48
• Unoriented Nylon Films 48
• Unixially Oriented Nylon Films 48
• BON-6 Films 48
• Multilayer Extruded/Coextruded Nylon Films 49
• NYLON FILM FABRICATION 50
• NYLON RESIN AND FILM SUPPLIERS 51
• TABLE 11 NYLON FILM FABRICATORS 51
• NYLON FILM APPLICATIONS 51
• Food Packaging 52
• SMC Carrier Webs 52
• FRP Carrier Webs 52
• Vacuum Bag Molding 53
• DEVELOPMENTS 53
• PC 54
• OVERVIEW 54
• PC FILM PROPERTIES 54
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 55
• TABLE 12 U.S. PC FILM MARKET BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 56
• FIGURE 5 U.S. PC FILM MARKET BY APPLICATION, 2010 AND 2015 (MILLION LBS) 56
• PC FILM FABRICATION 57
• PC FILM FABRICATORS 57
• PC FILM APPLICATIONS 58
• LCDs 59
• Handheld Devices 60
• Graphic Arts and Labels 61
• Automotive 61
• Membrane Switches 62
• Other Applications 62
• DEVELOPMENTS 63
• FLUOROPOLYMER FILMS 63
• BACKGROUND 63
• TABLE 13 FLUOROPOLYMER NAMES AND ACRONYMS 64
• FLUOROPOLYMER PROPERTIES 65
• TABLE 14 FLUOROPOLYMER PROPERTIES AND THE EFFECTS OF INCREASING FLUORINE CONTENT 65
• Fluoropolymer Properties (Continued) 66
• FLUOROPOLYMER FILM FABRICATION 67
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 67
• Market Analysis and Forecast (Continued) 68
• TABLE 15 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR FLUOROPOLYMER FILMS BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 69
• TABLE 16 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR FLUOROPOLYMER FILMS BY RESIN VOLUME, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 70
• FIGURE 6 U.S. FLUOROPOLYMER FILMS BY RESIN VOLUME, 2010 AND 2015 (MILLION LBS) 70
• TABLE 17 U.S. FLUOROPOLYMER FILM VALUE, 2010 ($ MILLIONS) 71
• TRADE NAMED PRODUCTS 71
• PTFE 72
• PVF 73
• PVF (Continued) 74
• FEP COPOLYMER 75
• PCTFE OR CTFE-VDF COPOLYMER 76
• PCTFE OR CTFE-VDF COPOLYMER (CONTINUED) 77
• PVDF 78
• PVdF Piezo Film 79
• Biax PVdF Film 79
• ECTFE COPOLYMER 80
• ETFE COPOLYMER 81
• PFA COPOLYMER 82
• PI 82
• PI FILM TYPES AND PROPERTIES 83
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 84
• TABLE 18 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR PI FILMS BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 84
• FIGURE 7 U.S. PI FILM MARKET BY APPLICATION, 2010 AND 2015 (MILLION LBS) 84
• KAPTON FILMS 85
• APICAL FILMS 86
• UPILEX FILMS 86
• PI FILM FABRICATION 87
• PI FILM APPLICATIONS 88
• FPC Boards 88
• Flat Panel Displays 89
• Aircraft and Aerospace 89
• Motors and Generators 90
• P/S Tapes 90
• Mining and Drilling 90
• Molding Films 90
• Other Applications 91
• COLORLESS PI FILMS 91
• PI FILM SUPPLIERS 92
• ACRYLIC 92
• SUPPLIERS AND TRADE NAMES 92
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 93
• TABLE 19 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR ACRYLIC FILMS BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 94
• FIGURE 8 U.S. ACRYLIC FILM MARKET BY APPLICATION, 2010 AND 2015 (MILLION LBS) 94
• FILM FABRICATION 95
• CYCLOOLEFINS 95
• PRODUCERS 96
• MARKET ANALYSIS 97
• TABLE 20 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR CYCLOOLEFIN FILMS BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 97
• TABLE 21 TRADE NAMED PRODUCTS AND CAPACITIES, 2006 (MILLION LBS) 98
• FILM FABRICATION 98
• NEW DEVELOPMENTS 99
• PEI 99
• BACKGROUND 100
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 100
• TABLE 22 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR PEI FILMS BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 100
• FIGURE 9 U.S. PEI FILM MARKET BY APPLICATION, 2010 AND 2015 (MILLION LBS) 101
• PEI FILM PROPERTIES 102
• PSU 103
• OVERVIEW 103
• COMMERCIAL FACTORS 104
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 104
• TABLE 23 U.S. PSU FILM MARKET BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 105
• FIGURE 10 U.S. PSU FILM MARKET BY APPLICATION, 2010 AND 2015 (MILLION LBS) 105
• PPSU 106
• PES 107
• LCP 107
• OVERVIEW 108
• PROPERTIES 108
• SUPPLIERS AND TRADE NAMES 108
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 109
• GREEN PLASTICS 109
• ALIPHATIC POLYPROPYLENE CARBONATE 110
• CELLULOSICS 111
• Cellulosics (Continued) 112
• PHA/POLYHYDROXYBUTYRATE (PHB)/POLYHYDROXYBUTYRATE VALERATE (PHBV) 113
• PLA 113
• POLYTRIMETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PTT) 113
• NYLON 114
• STARCH BLENDS 114
• SUGAR-BASED PE 114
• MARKET FORECAST AND ANALYSYS 115
• TABLE 24 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR GREEN HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS BY RESIN VOLUME, THROUGH 2015 (THOUSAND LBS) 115
• FIGURE 11 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR GREEN HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS BY RESIN VOLUME, 2010 AND 2015 (THOUSAND LBS) 116
• TABLE 25 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR GREEN HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2015 (THOUSAND LBS) 116
• FIGURE 12 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR GREEN HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS BY APPLICATIONS, 2010 AND 2015 (THOUSAND LBS) 117
• OTHER MATERIALS 117
• PEN 117
• Overview 117
• Suppliers and Trade Names 118
• Market Analysis and Forecast 118
• Applications 118
• POLYKETONE FILMS 119
• Overview 119
• Properties 119
• Suppliers 120
• Applications 120
• Material Performance 121
• Technical Developments 121
• BCB FILMS 122
• Overview 122
• Properties 122
• Film Fabrication 123
• Film Fabrication (Continued) 124
• Applications 125
• Grades 125

Chapter-4: MARKETS BY MATERIALS 112

Chapter-5: MARKETS BY APPLICATION 34

• INTRODUCTION 126
• TABLE 26 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS VOLUME BY APPLICATION, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 127
• PV 127
• OVERVIEW 127
• TECHNOLOGY 128
• BACK SHEETS 129
• Back Sheets (Continued) 130
• FRONT SHEETS 131
• ENCAPSULATION FILMS 132
• MARKET FORECAST AND ANALYSIS 132
• TABLE 27 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR PV HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS BY RESIN VOLUME, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 133
• PACKAGING 133
• OVERVIEW 133
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 134
• TABLE 28 HIGH-PERFORMANCE PACKAGING FILM MARKET BY RESIN VOLUME, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 134
• FOOD PACKAGING 135
• Flexible Food Packaging 135
• TABLE 29 FLEXIBLE FOOD PACKAGING FABRICATION PROCESSES, APPLICATIONS, AND STRUCTURES 136
• Rigid Plastic Food Containers 137
• TABLE 30 RIGID FOOD PACKAGING: FABRICATION PROCESSES, APPLICATIONS, AND STRUCTURES 137
• DEVELOPMENTS 137
• AUTOMOTIVE 138
• OVERVIEW 138
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 139
• TABLE 31 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR AUTOMOTIVE HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS BY RESIN VOLUME, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 139
• KEY APPLICATIONS 140
• Electric Vehicles 140
• Electric Vehicles (Continued) 141
• Paint Films 142
• E/E 143
• BACKGROUND 143
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 143
• TABLE 32 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR E/E HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS BY RESIN VOLUME, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 143
• INSULATION 144
• CAPACITORS 145
• PCBS 146
• Background 146
• TAB 147
• MEMBRANE SWITCHES 147
• RELEASE FILMS 148
• OVERVIEW 148
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 148
• TABLE 33 U.S. HIGH-PERFORMANCE RELEASE FILM MARKET BY RESIN VOLUME, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 148
• LABELS AND DECALS 149
• P/S TAPES 149
• OTHER RELEASE FILM APPLICATIONS 149
• PHOTOGRAPHIC/REPROGRAPHIC 150
• MARKET ANALYSIS AND FORECAST 150
• TABLE 34 U.S. PHOTOGRAPHIC/REPROGRAPHIC HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILM MARKET BY RESIN VOLUME, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 150
• Motion Picture Films 151
• OTHER MARKETS 151
• BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 151
• Surface Panels 151
• Window Glazing 152
• Tank Construction 152
• TABLE 35 BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILM MARKET BY RESIN VOLUME, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 153
• AIRCRAFT AND AEROSPACE 153
• TABLE 36 U.S. MARKET FORECAST FOR AIRCRAFT AND AEROSPACE HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILM MARKET BY RESIN VOLUME, THROUGH 2015 (MILLION LBS) 154
• LCDS 155
• 3D Viewing 156
• SIGNS/NAMEPLATES/PROMOTION DISPLAYS 157
• INDUSTRIAL MEMBRANES 157
• OFFICE PRODUCTS 158
• HOT STAMPING FILMS 158
• CLOTHING 158
• DECORATIVE AND AMUSEMENT ITEMS 159

Chapter-6: PLASTIC FILM FABRICATION TECHNOLOGY 22

• OVERVIEW 160
• TABLE 37 PROCESS TECHNOLOGY MILESTONES FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS 161
• EXTRUSION AND MELT FILM FABRICATION 161
• THE EXTRUSION SEQUENCE 162
• THE FILM FABRICATION SEQUENCE 162
• Extrusion 162
• Melt Film Fabrication 162
• BLOWN FILMS 163
• BLOWN FILMS (CONTINUED) 164
• FILM CASTING 165
• FILM CASTING (CONTINUED) 166
• SOLVENT CASTING 167
• SOLVENT CASTING (CONTINUED) 168
• PTFE FABRICATION TECHNIQUES 169
• DISPERSION CASTING 169
• PASTE EXTRUSION 169
• PEELING 169
• FILM DRAWING 170
• MULTILAYER LAMINATION AND COEXTRUSION 170
• OVERVIEW 170
• LAMINATION 171
• COEXTRUSION 172
• BARRIER TECHNOLOGY 173
• OVERVIEW 173
• Moisture 174
• Oxygen and Other Gases 175
• Light 176
• Odors and Others 176
• BARRIER FILMS 177
• Metalized Films 178
• Silicon Oxide Films 178
• POLYMER AND FILM ORIENTATION 179
• POLYMER AND FILM ORIENTATION (CONTINUED) 180
• TABLE 38 KEY ASPECTS OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILM FABRICATION 181
• COMPETITIVE PROCESSES, METHODS, AND PRODUCTS 181

Chapter-7: INDUSTRY STRUCTURE AND COMPETITION

• INTRODUCTION 182
• OVERVIEW 182
• INTEGRATED FILM FABRICATORS 183
• VERTICAL INTEGRATION 183
• HORIZONTAL INTEGRATION 183
• NONINTEGRATED FILM FABRICATORS 184
• CAPTIVE CONSUMPTION 184
• INDUSTRY CONCENTRATION 184
• KEY PLAYERS 185
• TABLE 39 TOP 22 U.S. HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILM PRODUCERS, 2010 ($ MILLIONS) 185
• END-USER FILM SELECTION CRITERIA 186
• PERFORMANCE 186
• COST 186
• REPLACEMENT OF OTHER MATERIALS 186
• NEW APPLICATIONS OR NEW PROCEDURES 186
• CLARITY AND OTHER APPEARANCE FACTORS 187
• IMPORTED PRODUCTS 187
• MATERIAL AVAILABILITY 187
• ENVIRONMENTAL AND/OR SOCIAL CRITERIA 187
• MARKETING 187
• OVERVIEW 188
• DISTRIBUTION 188
• Direct Sales 188
• Converters and Distributor Firms 189
• Exports and Imports 189
• Exports and Imports (Continued) 190
• PRICING AND PROFITABILITY 191

Chapter-8: COMPANY PROFILES 20

• 3M 192
• AJEDIUM FILMS 193
• ALTUGLAS INTERNATIONAL 193
• AMERICAN DURAFILM CO. 193
• BAYER MATERIALSCIENCE FUNCTIONAL FILMS 194
• BEMIS 194
• CREATIVE FILM CORP. 195
• DAIKIN AMERICA 195
• DUPONT TEIJIN FILMS 195
• ENSINGER/PENN FIBRE 196
• EVONIK CYRO, LLC 196
• EXOPACK 196
• EXTRUSION DIES INDUSTRIES 197
• FILMQUEST 197
• HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL SPECIALTY FILMS 198
• INNOVIAFILMS, INC. 198
• KNF CORP. 198
• KURARAY AMERICA, INC., PVOH & PVB DIVISION 199
• MITSUBISHI POLYESTER FILM, INC. 199
• M&Q PLASTIC PRODUCTS, INC. 199
• MULTIFILM PACKAGING CORP. 200
• PARKINSON TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 200
• PIEDMONT PLASTICS FILM GROUP 200
• POLYONICS, INC. 201
• RMS PACKAGING 201
• ROWLAND TECHNOLOGIES 201
• SABIC INNOVATIVE PLASTICS 202
• SEKISUI SPECIALTY CHEMICALS AMERICA 202
• SKC, INC. 202
• SOARUS, LLC 203
• SOLIANT/AKZO NOBEL 203
• SPARTECH 203
• TORAY PLASTICS 204
• UBE AMERICA, INC. 204
• WELCH FLUOROCARBONS 204
• WESTLAKE PLASTICS 204
• WINPAK, LTD. 205

APPENDIX A: QUICK GUIDE TO HIGH-PERFORMANCE FILMS 206

• TABLE 40 QUICK QUIDE TO HIGHPERFORMANCE FILMS 206
• TABLE 40 (CONTINUED) 207

APPENDIX B: GLOSSARY 208

• GLOSSARY 208
• GLOSSARY (CONTINUED) 209
• GLOSSARY (CONTINUED) 210
• APPENDIX C: GAUGE CONVERSION CHART 211

Press Release

High-performance thermoplastic films increasingly crucial for modern society

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