Breathable Films Global Market Report 2026

Breathable films are films characterized by numerous micro-holes or pores that allow smaller items to pass through while filtering out larger ones. These films permit the passage of gases and water vapors but remain impermeable to water in a liquid state.

The primary types of breathable films include microporous, microvoid, and non-porous. Microporous materials feature very small pores or channels with diameters in the micron or nanometer range. These films are made from various materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, and others. Breathable films find applications in hygiene and personal care, medical, food packaging, construction, fabrics (including defense jackets, protective garments for industrial uses), and various other applications like adventurous sporting goods such as rafts, tents, waterproof camping bags, mattresses, disposable workwear, coveralls, jumpers, rainwear, and shoe liners.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are impacting the breathable films market by increasing costs of imported polymers, additives, extrusion equipment, and coating technologies. Hygiene, medical, and packaging applications in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressure on export-oriented film production. These tariffs are increasing manufacturing costs and affecting pricing. However, they are also encouraging regional polymer sourcing, local film production, and innovation in cost-efficient breathable film solutions.

The breathable films market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides breathable films market statistics, including breathable films industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a breathable films market share, detailed breathable films market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the breathable films industry. This breathable films market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The breathable films market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $3.89 billion in 2025 to $4.29 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in hygiene and personal care consumption, expansion of medical disposables usage, availability of polymer film extrusion technologies, rising demand for protective packaging, growth of construction membranes.

The breathable films market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.17 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable and recyclable films, rising healthcare infrastructure investments, expansion of food packaging applications, growing adoption of advanced polymer blends, increasing regulatory focus on material performance. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of breathable films in hygiene products, rising demand for medical-grade breathable films, growing use of microporous film technology, expansion of sustainable packaging applications, enhanced focus on moisture and vapor control.

Rising building and construction activities are anticipated to support the expansion of the breathable films market in the coming years. Construction activities involve the development of buildings and infrastructure projects. Breathable films are increasingly used as house wraps to restrict water vapor transmission through residential wall systems. For example, in August 2024, according to Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based statistical office of the European Union, construction output in June 2024 increased by 1.7% in the euro area and by 1.4% in the EU on a seasonally adjusted basis compared with May 2024. As a result, the growth in building and construction activities is expected to drive demand in the breathable films market.

Major players in the breathable films market are increasingly concentrating on the development of advanced solutions such as film bondings to improve overall product performance. Film bondings involve the integration of breathable films with complementary materials like fabrics, foams, or non-woven textiles, resulting in composite structures that offer enhanced functional properties. For example, in September 2024, Freudenberg Apparel, a Germany-based technical textiles company, introduced its advanced Film Bonding series aimed at sew-free bonding applications in garment production. This newly launched range incorporates a high-quality adhesive film design that improves durability and wearer comfort by enabling garments to adapt to body contours while removing the need for bulky seams. These film bonding solutions are offered in multiple weights and softness options, making them well suited for use in stretch activewear, intimate apparel, and athletic clothing.

In November 2024, Oben Holding Group S.A.C., a Peru-based flexible packaging solutions provider, completed the acquisition of Terphane for US$116 million. Through this transaction, Oben Group sought to enhance and expand its global manufacturing capacity while increasing its presence in fast-growing markets for high-performance polyester films. Terphane LLC is a US-based manufacturer specializing in high-performance biaxially oriented polyester films (BOPET).

Major companies operating in the breathable films market are Trioworld Industrier AB, Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc., Fatra AS, Nitto Denko Corporation, Covestro AG, LyondellBasell Industries NV, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Berry Global Inc., DuPont de Nemours Inc., Daika Kogyo Co. Ltd., Fujian Xingyuan Industry Co. Ltd., Rahil Foam Pvt. Ltd., Toray Industries Inc., Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Innovia Films Ltd., American Polyfilm Inc., Arkema SA, RKW Group, Skymark Packaging International Ltd., Megaplast Pvt. Ltd., Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj, Berry Global Group Inc., Dow Inc., Halyard Health, Huhtamaki Oyj, Teijin Limited, UPM-Kymmene Oyj

Asia Pacific was the largest region in the breathable films market in 2025. The regions covered in the breathable films market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the breathable films market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The breathable films market consists of sales of polyether block amide-based breathable films, co-polyamide-based breathable films, polyether ester-based breathable films, and other types. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Breathable Films Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses breathable films market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for breathable films ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The breathable films market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Product: Microporous; Micro Void
• 2) By Material Type: Polyethylene; Polypropylene; Polyurethane; Other Material Types
• 3) By Application: Hygiene And Personal Care; Medical; Food Packaging; Fabric; Other Applications
• Subsegments:
• 1)By Microporous: Polypropylene Microporous Films; Polyethylene Microporous Films
• 2) By Micro Void: Polyethylene Micro Void Films; Polyurethane Micro Void Films
• Companies Mentioned: Trioworld Industrier AB; Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc.; Fatra AS; Nitto Denko Corporation; Covestro AG; LyondellBasell Industries NV; Kimberly-Clark Corporation; Berry Global Inc.; DuPont de Nemours Inc.; Daika Kogyo Co. Ltd.; Fujian Xingyuan Industry Co. Ltd.; Rahil Foam Pvt. Ltd.; Toray Industries Inc.; Mitsui Chemicals Inc.; Innovia Films Ltd.; American Polyfilm Inc.; Arkema SA; RKW Group; Skymark Packaging International Ltd.; Megaplast Pvt. Ltd.; Ahlstrom-Munksjo Oyj; Berry Global Group Inc.; Dow Inc.; Halyard Health; Huhtamaki Oyj; Teijin Limited; UPM-Kymmene Oyj
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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