Flexible Plastic Films Push for Recycling Expansion

Flexible plastic films could grow faster than plastics overall in the coming years, but recycling infrastructure improvements are needed to support these materials.

Flexible plastic films may outpace plastics overall in compound annual growth rate (CAGR), but these materials are a challenge to recycle with current infrastructure, according to PMMI Business Intelligence and AMERIPEN's collaborative report, "2023 Packaging Compass."

The report says flexible films are expected to grow at an annual CAGR of 4-6%, citing a 2021 report from Mordor Intelligence. In contrast, the average CAGR for plastics overall is about 3-4%, according to a 2022 report from the Flexible Packaging Association.