US Industry Forecasts US demand for plastic film is expected to grow 1.9 percent annually to 16 billion pounds in 2016. Advances will also be helped by an increase in the use of film in packaging, where it offers advantages in cost, performance and source reduction over other packaging materials. The versatility of plastic film increasingly allows for the downgaugiug of packaging reducing the amount of material needed and lowering production and shipping costs, while maintaining desired characteristics. Trade Reports November 2012 Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) will remain the most widely used film, representing almost 50 percent of demand in 2016. Due to its relatively low cost and versatility, LLDPE will see gains in diverse markets such as packaging for snack foods and produce, medical and pharmaceutical products, and stretch and shrink wraps. Conventional low density polyethylene (LDPE) will grow at a slower pace as it is supplanted by better performing LLDPE in man...
