Synthetic Paper: Technologies and Global Markets

Report Highlights

The global market for synthetic paper totaled 216 million pounds in 2011 and is projected to reach 222 million pounds in 2012 and 263 million pounds in 2017, a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4%.

SCOPE OF REPORT

The term synthetic paper has not been universally defined because it is basically an opaque plastic film that is both printable and writeable.  Most synthetic papers are either biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), although there are sizable amounts made from polyesters and fewer so from polystyrene and PVC.

Although the market has gone beyond its original intentions, this report will include those products which producers, converters and distributors market as synthetic paper even though, in many instances, it replaces a non-fiber based paper product such as plastic films.  Actually, the distinction between synthetic paper and white opaque printable films has not yet been resolved.

This report will describe the various polymer films used to produce synthetic paper; fillers and coatings used in manufacturing; printing processes used; new technologies; applications; detailed discussions of major players and their respective products, industry structure, patent review, pricing, market estimates and forecasts by major application and other critical aspects of the market.

It is essential to understand, in regard to market estimates and forecasts in this report, that food/beverage packaging labels have been excluded for several reasons.  First, their large volume of plastic films (hundreds of millions of pounds) would distort the basic synthetic paper market, and second, most of those in the industry feel that this market segment lies outside the general definition of synthetic paper.

We have used the concept that, if a company states that their product is a synthetic paper, it has been included in the study.  Detractors in these instances claim the product in question is a printable plastic film.

All values shown are rounded to the nearest whole number.

Analyst Credentials

Melvin Schlechter has thirty years of experience in the chemical industry, specializes in plastics market research and has been a BCC Research analyst for since 2006. Previously, Mr. Schlechter was the International Director of Chemical Reports for Frost & Sullivan. He also worked for the Union Carbide Company as a Senior Market Research Analyst, was a Senior Organic/Polymer Chemist for Stauffer Chemical Company and a Research Organic Chemist for Allied Signal Corporation. Mr. Schlechter holds a B.S. in Chemistry from Queens College, a Masters in Organic Chemistry from Virginia Tech, and an MBA from Adelphi University.