Global Soil Cover Films Market Analysis & Forecast (2025–2036)
Western Market Research predicts that the Global Soil Cover Films Market was valued at USD 5.2 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 9.8 Billion by the year 2036, expanding at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period.
1. Market Overview
The 2025 Global Soil Cover Films Market report provides a comprehensive analysis of the agricultural plastics sector, specifically focusing on mulch films and protective soil barriers. These films are critical for modern "Plasticulture," enabling farmers to manage soil temperature, suppress weed growth, and significantly reduce water evaporation. This research study integrates primary data from agricultural cooperatives and secondary data from polymer science institutes to forecast market management through 2036. It evaluates the shift toward sustainable farming practices and the technical progress in biodegradable resin formulations.
2. Post-Pandemic Impact & Market Evolution
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the fragility of global food supply chains, leading to a renewed focus on domestic "Food Security." While 2020 saw disruptions in the logistics of plastic resins, the market rebounded as governments incentivized high-yield agricultural technologies to ensure local crop stability. Post-pandemic, the market has pivoted toward a "Circular Economy," with a massive push to eliminate the labor-intensive removal of plastic waste from fields through the adoption of soil-incorporated biodegradable films.
3. Comprehensive Market Segmentation
By Material Type:
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Polyethylene (LDPE/LLDPE): Traditionally dominant due to high tensile strength and cost-efficiency.
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Biodegradable (PBAT/PLA/Starch Blends): The fastest-growing segment, designed to be tilled back into the soil after harvest.
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Polypropylene (PP): Primarily used for heavy-duty, multi-season weed control in orchards.
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PVC & EVA: Specialized films for high-insulation greenhouse floor covering.
By Color & Function (New Segment):
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Black Mulch: Standard for weed suppression and soil warming.
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Transparent/Clear: Used for soil solarization to kill pathogens.
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Silver-Black: Targeted at repelling aphids and reflecting light to lower fruit temperature.
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White-Black: Used in hot climates to prevent root scorching while suppressing weeds.
By Application:
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Vegetables: High-intensity use in tomato, pepper, and leafy green production.
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Fruits: Essential for strawberries, melons, and vineyard management.
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Field Crops: Growing adoption in cotton and maize to combat drought conditions.
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Floriculture: Precision soil management for high-value ornamental plants.
4. Key Market Players
The market features a blend of global chemical giants and specialized agricultural plastic converters.
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Global Polymer Leaders: BASF SE, Berry Global Inc., Dow Inc., Mitsui Chemicals, ExxonMobil Chemical.
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Specialized Agricultural Converters: RKW Agri, Berry Global (Hyplast), Solplast S.A., Sotrafa, Polivouga, Arrigoni, Delta Plastics, Diatex, Vatan Plastik.
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European Technical Experts: HYPLAST, Oerlemans Plastics, Reimann Spinnerei und Weberei, Zill GmbH, BonarAgro (Low & Bonar).
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Regional Innovators: Jain Irrigation Systems (India), Ab Rani Plast Oy (Finland), Barbier Group (France).
5. Regional Analysis
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Asia-Pacific: The largest consumer and producer. China leads the world in mulch film usage to support its massive vegetable production. India is seeing rapid growth due to government subsidies for micro-irrigation and plasticulture.
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Europe: The global hub for Biodegradable Innovation. Stringent EU regulations on microplastics are driving the total phase-out of conventional PE films in favor of certified soil-compostable alternatives.
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North America: High adoption of high-tech, multi-layer co-extruded films. The US market focuses on films that integrate seamlessly with drip irrigation systems in California and Florida.
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South America: Driven by the expansion of the export-oriented fruit sector in Chile and Brazil.
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Middle East & Africa: Critical market for water conservation. Desert farming initiatives in Saudi Arabia and Israel utilize high-reflectivity films to combat extreme heat.
6. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
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Threat of New Entrants (Moderate): Low barriers for basic PE extrusion; however, high barriers for specialized biodegradable formulations and multi-layer UV-stabilized films.
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Bargaining Power of Buyers (High): Large agricultural cooperatives and government procurement agencies have high leverage and are sensitive to price-per-acre metrics.
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Bargaining Power of Suppliers (Moderate): Dependence on global crude oil and natural gas prices (for PE resin) makes manufacturers vulnerable to energy market volatility.
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Threat of Substitutes (Low to Moderate): Organic mulches (straw/bark) are substitutes but are impractical for industrial-scale high-yield farming.
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Competitive Rivalry (Very High): Intense price competition in the conventional segment; innovation-based competition in the "green" segment.
7. SWOT Analysis
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Strengths: Significant yield improvement (20-50%); drastic reduction in water usage; immediate weed control.
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Weaknesses: Disposal costs for non-biodegradable films; risk of microplastic soil contamination if handled poorly.
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Opportunities: Expansion of carbon-credit programs for farms using water-saving plastics; development of "Smart-Films" with embedded nutrients.
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Threats: Environmental bans on single-use agricultural plastics; rising cost of bio-based resins (PLA/PBAT).
8. Trend Analysis
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Bio-Logic Transition: Moving away from "recycling" toward "in-situ degradation," where films disappear after a pre-determined 3 or 6-month cycle.
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Photo-Selective Technology: Films that filter specific light wavelengths to enhance fruit color or speed up flowering.
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Ultra-Thinning: Technical progress in metallocene resins allows for thinner films (down to 6-8 microns) without sacrificing strength, reducing plastic volume per hectare.
9. Drivers & Challenges
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Drivers: Global water scarcity requiring "more crop per drop"; rising labor costs for manual weeding; growing global demand for out-of-season produce.
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Challenges: The "Legacy Plastic" problem—removing tons of dirty, thin plastic from fields is expensive and environmentally hazardous; fluctuating petrochemical costs.
10. Value Chain Analysis
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Resin Production: Sourcing of Polyethylene or Bio-polymers (BASF/Dow).
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Extrusion & Conversion: Blowing the film, UV-stabilization, and custom tinting (RKW/Berry Global).
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Distribution: Supply through agricultural cooperatives and local irrigation dealers.
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Farm Application: Machine-laying of the film alongside drip tape.
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End-of-Life: Either manual retrieval and recycling or soil incorporation (biodegradation).
11. Quick Recommendations for Stakeholders
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For Manufacturers: Shift R&D budgets toward TÜV-certified soil-biodegradable films. This is the only segment protected from future "plastic-tax" legislation.
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For Governments: Implement subsidy programs for biodegradable films to offset their higher initial cost compared to PE, reducing long-term soil remediation expenses.
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For Investors: Target companies specialized in PBAT and starch-blend extrusion, as the "green-agri" sector is poised for exponential growth.
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For Farmers: Conduct a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis; while biodegradable films cost 30% more, they eliminate the 40% cost associated with post-harvest plastic removal and disposal.
1. Market Overview of Soil Cover Films
1.1 Soil Cover Films Market Overview
1.1.1 Soil Cover Films Product Scope
1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook
1.2 Soil Cover Films Market Size by Regions:
1.3 Soil Cover Films Historic Market Size by Regions
1.4 Soil Cover Films Forecasted Market Size by Regions
1.5 Covid-19 Impact on Key Regions, Keyword Market Size YoY Growth
1.5.1 North America
1.5.2 East Asia
1.5.3 Europe
1.5.4 South Asia
1.5.5 Southeast Asia
1.5.6 Middle East
1.5.7 Africa
1.5.8 Oceania
1.5.9 South America
1.5.10 Rest of the World
1.6 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Impact Will Have a Severe Impact on Global Growth
1.6.1 Covid-19 Impact: Global GDP Growth, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Projections
1.6.2 Covid-19 Impact: Commodity Prices Indices
1.6.3 Covid-19 Impact: Global Major Government Policy
2. Covid-19 Impact Soil Cover Films Sales Market by Type
2.1 Global Soil Cover Films Historic Market Size by Type
2.2 Global Soil Cover Films Forecasted Market Size by Type
2.3 Polyethylene
2.4 Biodegradable
2.5 Polypropylene
3. Covid-19 Impact Soil Cover Films Sales Market by Application
3.1 Global Soil Cover Films Historic Market Size by Application
3.2 Global Soil Cover Films Forecasted Market Size by Application
3.3 Vegetables
3.4 Fruit
3.5 Crop
4. Covid-19 Impact Market Competition by Manufacturers
4.1 Global Soil Cover Films Production Capacity Market Share by Manufacturers
4.2 Global Soil Cover Films Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers
4.3 Global Soil Cover Films Average Price by Manufacturers
5. Company Profiles and Key Figures in Soil Cover Films Business
5.1 Arrigoni
5.1.1 Arrigoni Company Profile
5.1.2 Arrigoni Soil Cover Films Product Specification
5.1.3 Arrigoni Soil Cover Films Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.2 BonarAgro
5.2.1 BonarAgro Company Profile
5.2.2 BonarAgro Soil Cover Films Product Specification
5.2.3 BonarAgro Soil Cover Films Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.3 Delta Plastics
5.3.1 Delta Plastics Company Profile
5.3.2 Delta Plastics Soil Cover Films Product Specification
5.3.3 Delta Plastics Soil Cover Films Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.4 Diatex
5.4.1 Diatex Company Profile
5.4.2 Diatex Soil Cover Films Product Specification
5.4.3 Diatex Soil Cover Films Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.5 HYPLAST
5.5.1 HYPLAST Company Profile
5.5.2 HYPLAST Soil Cover Films Product Specification
5.5.3 HYPLAST Soil Cover Films Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.6 OERLEMANS
5.6.1 OERLEMANS Company Profile
5.6.2 OERLEMANS Soil Cover Films Product Specification
5.6.3 OERLEMANS Soil Cover Films Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.7 POLIVOUGA
5.7.1 POLIVOUGA Company Profile
5.7.2 POLIVOUGA Soil Cover Films Product Specification
5.7.3 POLIVOUGA Soil Cover Films Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.8 Reimann Spinnerei und Weberei
5.8.1 Reimann Spinnerei und Weberei Company Profile
5.8.2 Reimann Spinnerei und Weberei Soil Cover Films Product Specification
5.8.3 Reimann Spinnerei und Weberei Soil Cover Films Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.9 RKW Agri
5.9.1 RKW Agri Company Profile
5.9.2 RKW Agri Soil Cover Films Product Specification
5.9.3 RKW Agri Soil Cover Films Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.10 SOLPLAST
5.10.1 SOLPLAST Company Profile
5.10.2 SOLPLAST Soil Cover Films Product Specification
5.10.3 SOLPLAST Soil Cover Films Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.11 SOTRAFA
5.11.1 SOTRAFA Company Profile
5.11.2 SOTRAFA Soil Cover Films Product Specification
5.11.3 SOTRAFA Soil Cover Films Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.12 Vatan plastik
5.12.1 Vatan plastik Company Profile
5.12.2 Vatan plastik Soil Cover Films Product Specification
5.12.3 Vatan plastik Soil Cover Films Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.13 Zill
5.13.1 Zill Company Profile
5.13.2 Zill Soil Cover Films Product Specification
5.13.3 Zill Soil Cover Films Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
6. North America
6.1 North America Soil Cover Films Market Size
6.2 North America Soil Cover Films Key Players in North America
6.3 North America Soil Cover Films Market Size by Type
6.4 North America Soil Cover Films Market Size by Application
7. East Asia
7.1 East Asia Soil Cover Films Market Size
7.2 East Asia Soil Cover Films Key Players in North America
7.3 East Asia Soil Cover Films Market Size by Type
7.4 East Asia Soil Cover Films Market Size by Application
8. Europe
8.1 Europe Soil Cover Films Market Size
8.2 Europe Soil Cover Films Key Players in North America
8.3 Europe Soil Cover Films Market Size by Type
8.4 Europe Soil Cover Films Market Size by Application
9. South Asia
9.1 South Asia Soil Cover Films Market Size
9.2 South Asia Soil Cover Films Key Players in North America
9.3 South Asia Soil Cover Films Market Size by Type
9.4 South Asia Soil Cover Films Market Size by Application
10. Southeast Asia
10.1 Southeast Asia Soil Cover Films Market Size
10.2 Southeast Asia Soil Cover Films Key Players in North America
10.3 Southeast Asia Soil Cover Films Market Size by Type
10.4 Southeast Asia Soil Cover Films Market Size by Application
11. Middle East
11.1 Middle East Soil Cover Films Market Size
11.2 Middle East Soil Cover Films Key Players in North America
11.3 Middle East Soil Cover Films Market Size by Type
11.4 Middle East Soil Cover Films Market Size by Application
12. Africa
12.1 Africa Soil Cover Films Market Size
12.2 Africa Soil Cover Films Key Players in North America
12.3 Africa Soil Cover Films Market Size by Type
12.4 Africa Soil Cover Films Market Size by Application
13. Oceania
13.1 Oceania Soil Cover Films Market Size
13.2 Oceania Soil Cover Films Key Players in North America
13.3 Oceania Soil Cover Films Market Size by Type
13.4 Oceania Soil Cover Films Market Size by Application
14. South America
14.1 South America Soil Cover Films Market Size
14.2 South America Soil Cover Films Key Players in North America
14.3 South America Soil Cover Films Market Size by Type
14.4 South America Soil Cover Films Market Size by Application
15. Rest of the World
15.1 Rest of the World Soil Cover Films Market Size
15.2 Rest of the World Soil Cover Films Key Players in North America
15.3 Rest of the World Soil Cover Films Market Size by Type
15.4 Rest of the World Soil Cover Films Market Size by Application
16 Soil Cover Films Market Dynamics
16.1 Covid-19 Impact Market Top Trends
16.2 Covid-19 Impact Market Drivers
16.3 Covid-19 Impact Market Challenges
16.4 Porter
3. Comprehensive Market Segmentation
By Material Type:
-
Polyethylene (LDPE/LLDPE): Traditionally dominant due to high tensile strength and cost-efficiency.
-
Biodegradable (PBAT/PLA/Starch Blends): The fastest-growing segment, designed to be tilled back into the soil after harvest.
-
Polypropylene (PP): Primarily used for heavy-duty, multi-season weed control in orchards.
-
PVC & EVA: Specialized films for high-insulation greenhouse floor covering.
By Color & Function (New Segment):
-
Black Mulch: Standard for weed suppression and soil warming.
-
Transparent/Clear: Used for soil solarization to kill pathogens.
-
Silver-Black: Targeted at repelling aphids and reflecting light to lower fruit temperature.
-
White-Black: Used in hot climates to prevent root scorching while suppressing weeds.
By Application:
-
Vegetables: High-intensity use in tomato, pepper, and leafy green production.
-
Fruits: Essential for strawberries, melons, and vineyard management.
-
Field Crops: Growing adoption in cotton and maize to combat drought conditions.
-
Floriculture: Precision soil management for high-value ornamental plants.
4. Key Market Players
The market features a blend of global chemical giants and specialized agricultural plastic converters.
-
Global Polymer Leaders: BASF SE, Berry Global Inc., Dow Inc., Mitsui Chemicals, ExxonMobil Chemical.
-
Specialized Agricultural Converters: RKW Agri, Berry Global (Hyplast), Solplast S.A., Sotrafa, Polivouga, Arrigoni, Delta Plastics, Diatex, Vatan Plastik.
-
European Technical Experts: HYPLAST, Oerlemans Plastics, Reimann Spinnerei und Weberei, Zill GmbH, BonarAgro (Low & Bonar).
-
Regional Innovators: Jain Irrigation Systems (India), Ab Rani Plast Oy (Finland), Barbier Group (France).
