Water Soluble Films Market Size, Share, Trends, Industry Analysis Report: By Type (Cold Water Soluble Films and Hot Water Soluble Films), Application, and Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa) – Market Forecast, 2025–2034
- Published Date:Nov-2024
- Pages: 128
- Format: PDF
- Report ID: PM5199
- Base Year: 2024
- Historical Data: 2020-2023
Water Soluble Films Market Overview
The water soluble films market size was valued at USD 440.71 million in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 465.74 million in 2025 to USD 772.28 million by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.8% during 2025–2034.
Water soluble films are made from materials such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and are widely used across various industries due to their eco-friendly properties and ability to reduce plastic waste. The films are biodegradable and leave minimal to no residue after dissolving, making them ideal for applications where waste reduction and convenience are prioritized. Increasing environmental concerns and strict regulations on single-use plastics are driving manufacturers to adopt biodegradable and eco-friendly packaging solutions, which is boosting demand for water-soluble films, thereby contributing to the water soluble films market growth. Furthermore, the widespread adoption of laundry pods and dishwasher capsules, which use water-soluble films for easy dosing and convenience, is significantly driving the market growth.
Water-soluble packaging allows precise dosing and minimizes product waste, making it increasingly popular in sectors such as food, chemicals, and dyes. Thus, there is a rising demand for water soluble films. Moreover, continuous R&D efforts to improve the durability, solubility, and strength of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films are expanding their applications across industries. Thus, the increasing innovation is driving the growth of the water soluble films market.
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Water Soluble Films Market Driver Analysis
Expanding Pharmaceutical Applications
Expanding pharmaceutical applications are driving demand for water-soluble films as the sector increasingly adopts dissolvable capsules and precise drug delivery systems. Water soluble films offer significant advantages, such as controlled release, ease of use, and enhanced patient compliance, making it ideal for packaging medications and supplements. The ability to dissolve safely in water ensures accurate dosing and minimizes waste, which is particularly valuable for single-use formulations. Pharmaceutical companies prioritize innovation and patient-centric solutions. Thus, the adoption of water-soluble films continues to grow, contributing significantly to the water soluble films market expansion.
Rapid Growth of E-Commerce Sector
The rapid growth of the e-commerce sector is significantly driving the expansion of the water-soluble films market. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, the Indian e-commerce market is projected to reach a valuation of USD 350 billion by 2030. Thus, owing to the increasing popularity of online shopping and home delivery services, there is a rising demand for compact, lightweight, and sustainable packaging solutions. Water-soluble films, being dissolvable and biodegradable, offer a practical alternative to conventional packaging by minimizing waste and enhancing convenience for consumers. For cleaning products, such as laundry pods and dishwasher capsules, and personal care items, such as bath salts and skin-care sachets, water-soluble packaging ensures precise dosing and prevents spillage during transportation. E-commerce platforms require packaging that is space-efficient and eco-friendly, as bulky or non-biodegradable materials increase shipping costs and raise environmental concerns. Water-soluble films meet these needs by offering a lightweight solution that reduces packaging volume, making them an ideal choice for the logistics of online delivery.
Water Soluble Films Market Segment Analysis
Water Soluble Films Market Breakdown by Type Outlook
The global water soluble films market segmentation, based on type, includes cold water soluble films and hot water soluble films. In 2024, the cold water soluble films segment accounted for the largest market share due to their versatility and efficiency across various applications, such as detergents, agrochemicals, and personal care sectors. In February 2024, Foshan Polyva Materials' Polyva laundry detergent pods transformed laundry with their convenience and growing popularity. A key innovation in Polyva packaging is the use of cold-water films, which enhance ease of use and promote sustainability by enabling low-temperature washing. Cold water soluble films dissolve easily in cold water, providing convenience and reducing energy consumption, which aligns with sustainability efforts. Their widespread use in laundry pods, dishwasher capsules, and agricultural chemical packaging ensures precise dosing, minimizes waste and prevents direct contact with hazardous substances.
Water Soluble Films Market Breakdown by Application Outlook
The global water soluble films market segmentation, based on application, includes agrochemical packaging, detergent packaging, dye packaging, food packaging, laundry bags, pharmaceuticals, water transfer printing, water treatment chemical packaging, and other applications. The laundry bags segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to its growing adoption in hospitals, hotels, and other institutional settings where hygiene and infection control are crucial. In May 2020, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation developed laundry bags using Hi-Selon water-soluble film through its subsidiary, Taisei Kayaku Co., Ltd., to combat COVID-19 transmission. Laundry bags facilitate the washing of contaminated linens and garments without direct contact, serving as an effective barrier in healthcare settings. The water-soluble bags allow contaminated laundry to be washed without direct handling, reducing the risk of cross-contamination. The rising focus on sustainable solutions and increasing use of eco-friendly practices in the hospitality and healthcare sectors would drive the demand for dissolvable laundry bags.
Water Soluble Films Market Breakdown, by Regional Outlook
By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2024, the North America water soluble films market accounted for the largest market share due to the growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions across industries such as personal care, cleaning products, and healthcare. The region's focus on eco-friendly practices, coupled with increasing consumer awareness and regulatory support for reducing plastic waste, has accelerated the adoption of water-soluble films. Additionally, the rise of e-commerce and home delivery services has boosted demand for compact, dissolvable packaging. Companies are actively expanding operations in North America to meet this rising demand. For instance, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Ecopol, a European leader in biodegradable PVA films, financed over USD 38 million in its first North American facility in Spalding County in April 2022, creating 130 new jobs.
The US dominated the water soluble films market share due to the presence of innovative companies and leading pharmaceutical firms which are leveraging water-soluble films for precise drug delivery systems such as dissolvable capsules and oral films. Extensive R&D efforts are focused on developing advanced PVA films with enhanced performance, such as improved solubility and barrier properties, to meet the demands of the pharma, agriculture, and personal care sectors.
The Asia Pacific water soluble films market is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The expansion of e-commerce platforms and rising consumer awareness about eco-friendly products are driving the adoption of dissolvable packaging for laundry detergents, cleaning products, and single-use items. Additionally, government initiatives promoting environmental sustainability and the reduction of plastic waste are encouraging industries to shift toward biodegradable materials. The region's thriving pharmaceutical sector is adopting water-soluble films for drug delivery systems, whereas the agricultural industry benefits from water-soluble films for pesticide and fertilizer packaging. Countries such as China, India, and Japan are significantly investing in R&D and manufacturing capabilities, which boosts the water-soluble films market growth in the region.
The China water soluble films market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period due to the government's strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and efforts to reduce plastic waste, which have spurred the adoption of biodegradable plastics and eco-friendly materials, including water-soluble films.
Water Soluble Films Market – Key Players and Competitive Insights
The competitive landscape of the water soluble films market is characterized by a diverse range of players, from established multinational corporations to innovative startups. Key market participants include major manufacturers such as BASF; Kuraray Co., Ltd.; and AkzoNobel, which have extensive experience in polymer chemistry and materials science. Major companies are focused on developing advanced water-soluble film formulations that meet the evolving demands of various industries, including packaging, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. In recent years, there has been an increasing emphasis on sustainability, driving companies to invest in biodegradable and eco-friendly water-soluble film technologies. This water soluble films market trend has led to partnerships and collaborations among manufacturers, research institutions, and sustainability-focused organizations to enhance product offerings and promote innovation. The market is witnessing the emergence of smaller, specialized firms that focus on niche applications, such as dissolvable packaging for single-use items or specific pharmaceutical formulations. The companies often leverage advanced technologies and agile production processes to respond quickly to market trends and consumer preferences. A few key major market players are Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation; SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.; KURARAY CO., LTD.; AICELLO CORPORATION; Ecopol S.p.A.; Arrow GreenTech Ltd.; Cortec Corporation; Changzhou Greencradleland Macromolecule Materials Co., Ltd.; Jiangmen Proudly Water-soluble Plastic Co., Ltd.; AMC Ltd.; and Noble Industries.
Kuraray Co., Ltd. specializes in the development and commercialization of a diverse range of activated carbon fibers, high-performance membrane systems, specialty chemicals, and resins. Under the vinyl acetate segment, the company produces and markets a variety of functional films and resins such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAL), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and polyvinyl butyral (PVB), catering to various industrial applications globally. In February 2020, Kuraray Co., Ltd. launched a new MonoSol production facility for PVA water-soluble films in Poland to address the rising demand for packaging solutions in unit dose detergents, pharmaceuticals, and other applications.
Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, a chemical manufacturing company, works in five segments—healthcare, specialty materials, industrial gases, MMA, and basic materials. The specialty materials segment offers a wide range of products, including performance polymers, engineering plastics, sustainable polymers, and composite materials. The product is applicable in various industries, including petrochemicals, intermediates, automotive and aircraft, machinery and equipment, electronics and IT, packaging, label and printing, logistics, civil engineering, building and construction, plant energy, daily goods, leisure and sports, medical and healthcare, agriculture, food, software, knowledge and service, and clothing.
Mitsubishi Chemical's Hi-Selon is a polyvinyl alcohol-based water-soluble film known for its exceptional heat and water sealing properties, along with high printability. Hi-Selon’s solvent resistance and gas barrier performance make it ideal for packaging applications, particularly for liquid detergents.
Key Companies in Water Soluble Films Industry Outlook
- Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation
- SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO. LTD.
- KURARAY CO., LTD.
- AICELLO CORPORATION
- Ecopol S.p.A.
- Arrow GreenTech Ltd.
- Cortec Corporation
- Changzhou
- Greencradleland Macromolecule Materials Co., Ltd.
- Jiangmen Proudly Water-soluble Plastic Co., Ltd.
- AMC Ltd.
- Noble Industries
Water Soluble Films Market Segmentation
By Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020–2034)
- Cold Water Soluble Films
- Hot Water Soluble Films
By Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020–2034)
- Agrochemical Packaging
- Detergent Packaging
- Dye Packaging
- Food Packaging
- Laundry Bags
- Pharmaceutical
- Water Transfer Printing
- Water Treatment Chemical Packaging
- Other Applications
By Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020–2034)
- North America
- US
- Canada
- Europe
- Germany
- France
- UK
- Italy
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Russia
- Rest of Europe
- Asia Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- Malaysia
- South Korea
- Indonesia
- Australia
- Vietnam
- Rest of Asia Pacific
- Middle East & Africa
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE
- Israel
- South Africa
- Rest of Middle East & Africa
- Latin America
- Mexico
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Rest of Latin America
Water Soluble Films Market Report Scope
|
Report Attributes |
Details |
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Market Size Value in 2024 |
USD 440.71 million |
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Market Size Value in 2025 |
USD 465.74 million |
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Revenue Forecast by 2034 |
USD 772.28 million |
|
CAGR |
5.8% from 2024 to 2032 |
|
Base Year |
2024 |
|
Historical Data |
2020–2023 |
|
Forecast Period |
2025–2034 |
|
Quantitative Units |
Revenue in USD million and CAGR from 2025 to 2034 |
|
Report Coverage |
Revenue Forecast, Market Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends |
|
Segments Covered |
|
|
Regional Scope |
|
|
Competitive Landscape |
|
|
Report Format |
|
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Customization |
Report customization as per your requirements with respect to countries, regions, and segmentation. |
FAQ's
The global water soluble films market size was valued at USD 440.71 million in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 772.28 million by 2034.
The global market is projected to register a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period.
In 2023, North America dominated the market due to the growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions across industries such as personal care, cleaning products, and healthcare.
A few key players in the market are Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation; SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.; KURARAY CO., LTD.; AICELLO CORPORATION; Ecopol S.p.A.; Arrow GreenTech Ltd.; Cortec Corporation; Changzhou Greencradleland Macromolecule Materials Co., Ltd.; Jiangmen Proudly Water-soluble Plastic Co., Ltd.; AMC Ltd.; and Noble Industries.
In 2024, the cold water soluble films segment dominated the market share due to their versatility and efficiency across various applications.
The laundry bags segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to its growing adoption in hospitals, hotels, and other institutional settings
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