According to a new market research report “Breathable Films Market by Type (Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polyurethane Polyether Block Amide, Co-Polyamide, Polyether Ester), End-Use Industry (Hygiene, Medical, Food Packaging, Construction, Fabric), and Region – Global Forecast to 2022” published by MarketsandMarkets, the market is estimated to be $1.81 billion in 2017 and is projected to reach $2.55 billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 7.1% between 2017 and 2022. The breathable films market is driven by the growing awareness regarding health and hygiene and increasing use of breathable films in premium hygiene products in both developed and developing countries.

The polyethylene-based breathable films type segment accounted for 55.6% share of the total breathable films market in 2016, in terms of value. Polyethylene-based breathable films will remain the dominant type during the forecast period due to their lower cost as compared to other types of polyolefin films. The major application of polyethylene breathable films is in hygiene applications in products such as baby diapers, adult incontinence and sanitary napkins.

The breathable films market size in the medical application is projected to register the highest growth during the forecast period. Consumption of breathable films in this application is growing due to the increased use of breathable films in the manufacturing of surgical drapes, surgical gowns, patient gowns, back-table covers, operation bed covers, mayo stand covers, and gloves. This is fueled by the rising demand for healthcare facilities and increasing per capita spending in healthcare in the developing countries. Increasing old age population and increased use of disposable drapes and gowns in the developed countries is also contributing to the market growth.

Asia Pacific is estimated to be the largest market for breathable films. China is estimated to be the leading market for breathable films in Asia Pacific. India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Korea are the other major countries contributing to the growth of the breathable films market in the region. The increasing demand for breathable films from applications such as medical, hygiene, food packaging, and construction is expected to drive the market in these countries.