Flexibles Fly High, Aim Higher

Material matters

According to FPA's 2000 Outlook Survey, film's overwhelming popularity shows no signs of abating. Ninety percent of converters reported using film in 1999, and 93 percent plan to put it to work in the next five years. Bret Biggers, FPA's director of business and economic research, reports fresh spikes in popularity for co-extruded barrier films, aluminum oxide,and silicon oxide. Polypropylene's strong growth pattern continues, with 45 percent of converters using it in 1999, and 60 percent predicting usage in the next five years. Ten years ago, 33 percent used this material.