Graphic Film Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Polymer (Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Other Polymers), By End-User (Automotive, Promotional and Advertisement, Institutional, Other End-Users (Aircraft Industry and E-commerce)) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2022-2030

Market Overview

The global graphic film market size was valued at USD 26.13 billion in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 37.97 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.24% during the forecast period (2022-2030).

A graphic film is a polymeric sheet used for printing an image on a surface for visual representation and information labeling. In addition, it has applications in advertising and weather protection. Graphic films may easily be mounted to the surfaces of walls, floors, glasses, and automobiles due to their adhesive layers. They are produced with substances like polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene (PE) which can also enhance the object or substance's aesthetic attractiveness. Various printing methods, including flexography, offset, digital, and rotogravure, are used for creating graphic films. The films are inexpensive to install and maintain, long-lasting, recyclable, and water-resistant.

Market Dynamics

Global Graphic Film Market Drivers

Growing Construction Industry and Improvements in the Standard of Living

The building industry plays a crucial demand-catalyzing role in boosting the sales and profits of market players operating in various nations. Raw material extraction and on-site construction are essential in many emerging countries because these nations want to establish fundamental infrastructures like roads, trains, and buildings. In highly developed nations, the emphasis is on providing expert services and selling finished goods.

Additionally, the industry is observing a rising trend in the sizable DIY and maintenance sector as potential clients choose to upgrade and maintain their current homes or places of business over searching for a brand-new structure. Aside from the apparent fast-growing societal demand for infrastructure in emerging economies, aging infrastructural assets in industrialized countries necessitate regular maintenance, upgrading, replacement, or newly constructed assets. As many countries' building and construction industries use graphic films for various interior and exterior designing applications, multiple brands are gaining market traction.

Global Graphic Film Market Restraint

Fluctuations in Raw Material Prices

Demand for graphic films is mainly determined by the purchase of raw materials such as polymer materials like PP, PE, and PVC. The availability of graphic film is currently limited by changes in the price of various basic materials. The cost of the raw materials used to produce plastic fluctuates because oil prices and other market factors significantly impact it. This is a significant hindrance to the commercial operations of firms that use plastic as a raw material. Many different kinds of graphic film products employ plastic polymers. Capacity restrictions and user stockpiling are two additional variables that drive up the cost of plastic. It might be challenging to pass on material price increases to customers, especially if the gains are much higher than the average inflation rate. Additionally, creating graphic films requires a lot of energy, which might amplify the effects of changes in oil prices.

Global Graphic Film Market Opportunities

Growing Demand in the Automotive Sector

Vehicle wraps, cut graphics, and cut deals are a few examples of graphic film usage in the automotive sector. Vehicle wraps are substantial sheets of self-adhesive vinyl without a distinct shape. These wraps completely encircle the vehicle's panels. The need for protection, advertising, and a better look at the vehicles has led to the widespread adoption of graphic films or wraps in automobiles. Additionally, a vehicle wrap can produce between 30,000 and 80,000 daily impressions, according to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA).

Compared to other forms of advertising, wrapping a car with graphic film is more affordable. Numerous businesses, like 3M, Avery Dennison, and Lintec, among others, are creating and providing products to the leading market participants in the automotive industry. For instance, Spandex introduced the upgraded color-changing car wrap material 3M Wrap Film Series 2080. Any scratches on the protective layer will not transfer to the film itself, and the film can be readily removed after application to show a flawless finish.

Regional Analysis

The global graphic film market is bifurcated into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global graphic film market shareholder and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.63% during the forecast period. China is anticipated to have a substantial presence in the region. The expansion may be linked to high levels of technological advancement, disposable income, and favorable industrial and automobile environments. The Chinese auto sector has been expanding quickly, and the nation is taking a bigger and bigger part in the global auto market. The government considers the auto parts industry one of the country's leading industries. In addition, the region's demand for graphic films is expanding due to the expansion of the e-commerce sector. One of the most remarkable e-commerce markets in the world is China.

According to the Indian ministry, the rising B2C online retail industry, the creation of an e-commerce venture in rural areas, and the rapidly expanding cross-border e-commerce sector have all contributed to the massive development in online retail sales. Indian Printing, Packaging, and Allied Machinery Manufacturers' Association (IPAMA) assert that the packaging business may continue to expand due to the quick improvements being made by industry participants. Graphic films are becoming more widely used for customized printing in e-commerce daily. Future market growth has enormous potential thanks to the country's organized retail sector and booming e-commerce industry.

North America is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.96%, generating USD 10.16 billion during the forecast period. North America is expected to see a significant rise in the demand for automotive-related animated films. The car begins to heat up when exposed to the sun for a longer time, which lowers fuel economy. With the graphic film installed, there is sufficient protection from UV rays. Drivers and businesses can adjust the appearance of their vehicles to reflect their brands and personalities thanks to its durable graphic films, which transform vehicle aesthetics rapidly and are simple to remove. Graphic films are also widely used to create advertising banners and vehicle wraps in the automotive and advertising sectors. For instance, Honda arranged for one of its vehicles to be wrapped to commemorate its participation in the Rebelle Rally, an all-women off-road navigation competition in the United States.

Additionally, the Honda team participated in the competition, which was held and concluded at the California Imperial Sand Dunes on behalf of the automobile manufacturer. One of the most prominent privately-owned commercial landscaping firms in North America, Yellowstone operates out of around 40 locations across the country with a fleet of more than 2,000 vehicles. The business also uses transit vans, powerful tractors, and regular commercial pickups. These factors are anticipated to drive the global graphic film market over the forecast period.

The graphic film market in Europe is estimated to expand at a moderate pace over the forecast period. Due to the use of films for vehicle wrapping, the market for graphic films is anticipated to increase in Europe over the next few years. Europe is an innovation hub because many major and growing market providers exist. Additionally, the area has contributed significantly to the development of printing technology on a global scale, which the industry under study is leveraging and employing. Germany is one of the biggest markets in the area because of its dominance in the printing sector and its use of film plastic. Globally, the nation's prominence in the auto industry is luring a lot of market vendors to the area. Over the past few years, Germany's automotive industry has dramatically increased its global car production position. With the incorporation of smart technology, the German automobile sector has been at the forefront of technological advancements worldwide. Most vendors in the European market are placing large bets on the automotive industry for their graphic film products. Numerous German corporations are also buying regional rivals to achieve supremacy in the industry.

The LAMEA graphic film market is rapidly growing in the automotive industry, which is anticipated to fuel demand over the projected period. The most advanced automobile industries in Latin America are in Mexico and Brazil. Global automakers like General Motors, Ford Motor, Volkswagen AG, and Fiat Chrysler have significant operations in Brazil and Mexico. In addition, Saudi Arabia continues to transform and advance thanks technologically to the diversification of its economy under the Vision 2030 plan. The United Arab Emirates is also expanding quickly as the Middle East and North Africa's fastest-growing e-commerce industry, according to a joint study by Dubai Economy and global payments technology giant Visa (MENA).

Segmental Analysis

The global graphic film market is segmented by polymer and end user.

Based on polymer, the global market is bifurcated into polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and other polymers.

The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.48% during the forecast period. One of the popular polymeric materials used in the graphic film industry is polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is a mechanically strong, affordable, and long-lasting material. The two main varieties of PVC films utilized on the market are stiff vinyl film (without plasticizer) and flexible vinyl film (plasticized). Although flexible vinyl films are oxygen permeable, they have excellent oil and grease barrier qualities, resist punctures, and offer exceptional clarity. Flexible PVC films are suited for graphic printing applications in various end-user sectors because of these characteristics.

Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC), often rigid vinyl, is a robust and lightweight film. The most resilient and chemically resistant film is rigid vinyl, which is also the most affordable and is usable up to 60°C. Compared to flexible PVC, it has greater tensile strength and modulus and lower impact toughness and can stress crack depending on the climate. Additionally, compared to calendared PVC films, cast-extruded PVC films offer lower gel counts and higher-quality films for printing requirements.

The polyethylene materials HDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE, are employed in producing graphic films and are one of the cheapest. For use in various end-user applications, polyethylene is mixed with gas/aroma barriers like PA and EVOH since it is simple to manufacture. Based on volume, LDPE is the most common commodity thermoplastic. It is simple to manufacture and can be blended with various polymers and additives to change its fundamental qualities, including EVA, HDPE, LLDPE, and filler colors. LDPE is frequently utilized in situations that call for linear low-density polyethylene because of its similar characteristics.

In contrast to LDPE, which is frequently chosen for its higher clarity, ease of processing, and gloss, LLDPE is commonly selected for its higher tensile, impact strength, and superior heat sealability. The thermoplastic known as high-density polyethylene, or HDPE, is milky white and translucent. It is more potent than LDPE, flexible but more rigid, and has better impact strength and puncture resistance. It also has good vapor but poor gas barrier qualities and excellent chemical resistance. Similar to LDPE and LLDPE, HDPE film is frequently employed in many of the same applications.

Based on end-user, the global market is bifurcated into automotive, promotional and advertisement, institutional, and other end users (aircraft industry and e-commerce).

The promotional and advertisement segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.20% during the forecast period. This segment has a wide range of potential uses, including retail, exhibits, public transportation, and more. Many merchants display and advertise their products to customers through window graphics, which helps to increase sales. Additionally, the graphic film offers the convenience of removing the advertisement whenever the store desires to display different products and is a financially viable solution for retailers. Thus, the indoor graphic film market is driven by all these advantages.

In addition, there are two sorts of window graphics: permanent and transient. Permanent graphics for advertising are used by businesses that wish to display a message, logo, or other graphics in the window for an extended period. At the same time, temporary graphics for advertising use detachable signage to build a monthly (or more frequently) campaign to help the retail shop by attracting passersby's attention. The graphic films are intended for longer-term usages such as retail window displays, POS displays, and partitions and must be applied wet by a professional installer.

Graphic films have several applications in the automotive sector, including vehicle wraps, die-cut graphics, and discounts. In contrast, vehicle wraps are enormous sheets of self-adhesive vinyl to cut vinyl, which has a specific shape of its own. These wraps completely encircle the vehicle's panels. The need for protection, advertising, and a better look at the vehicles has led to the widespread adoption of graphic films or wraps in automobiles. Additionally, one car wrap can produce between 30,000 and 80,000 daily impressions, according to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA). The prospect of greater trade-in values rises if any firm leases or maintains a fleet of company cars thanks to vehicle wraps' ability to safeguard the car.

Impact of covid-19

Patients on renal replacement therapy are expected to experience a shortage of supplies due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Recently, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) conducted a webinar on the topic with recommendations for hospital management. Other studies and news reports highlight the rising demands and shortage of dialysis supplies in hard-hit COVID-19 areas. 

Recent Developments

• March 2022- FDC Graphic Films, Inc. announced the acquisition of Eastex Products, LLC. This acquisition brings together leaders in the sign and textile industries to provide a broad range of high-quality customer solutions.