The Market Reports

Synopsis
The global market for Breathable Film was estimated to be worth US$ 1856 million in 2024 and is forecast to a readjusted size of US$ 2316 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 3.1% during the forecast period 2025-2031.
This report provides a comprehensive assessment of recent tariff adjustments and international strategic countermeasures on Breathable Film cross-border industrial footprints, capital allocation patterns, regional economic interdependencies, and supply chain reconfigurations.
Breathable film is extruded from the extruder T-dies, and in which polyethylene resin is compounded with CaCO3. Due to its fine surface pores, it is permeable to air but not to liquid (sort of water). The Breathable film is very useful as it allows transmission of gases but it remains water proof. Major uses include the back sheet of diapers and sanitary napkins, disposable work cloth, etc.
Global Breathable Film key players include Clopay Plastics, RKW Group, TredgarFilms, Mitsui Chemicals, Daedong, etc. Global top five manufacturers hold a share over 25%. Asia is the largest market, with a share over 35%, followed by North America and Europe, both have a share over 50%. In terms of product, Breathable PE Film is the largest segment, with a share over 80%. And in terms of application, the largest application is Hygiene, followed by Healthcare, etc.
In-depth analysis of the driving factors of the breathable membrane market
I. Growth in demand in the construction industry: dual-driven by green buildings and infrastructure investment
Promoted by green building policies
The global demand for energy-saving and low-carbon buildings has surged, and breathable membranes have become key materials for green buildings due to their excellent moisture-proof and breathable properties. For example, the European market has become the core area of ​​demand for breathable membranes due to strict building energy-saving regulations (such as the EU Building Energy Efficiency Directive), accounting for 35% of the global market share in 2024.
Breathable membranes directly drive market demand by reducing greenhouse gas emissions (such as reducing building energy consumption by 20%-30%) and helping to achieve carbon neutrality goals.
The popularity of wood-frame buildings and pitched roof buildings has further driven the application of breathable membranes in waterproof protection of roofs and walls.
II. Technological progress and innovation: breakthroughs in materials science and application scenarios
Breakthroughs in materials science
Optimization of microporous structure: Through precision preparation technology, the pore size of the breathable membrane is precisely controlled at 0.1-10 microns, achieving the "breathable and impermeable" characteristics. For example, the application of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) breathable membrane in the speaker components of smartphones can keep the sound attenuation below 0.5dB after being immersed in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
High-performance material research and development: Polypropylene (PP) breathable membrane has become the mainstream material in the construction field due to its high hydrophobicity (can block liquid water) and low cost advantages. It is expected that the global market share will reach 45% in 2029.
Application scenario expansion
High-end consumer electronics: Waterproof breathable membrane solves the contradiction between waterproof and signal transmission of antenna modules in 5G mobile phones and wearable devices, and supports millimeter wave band penetration.
New energy vehicles: Breathable membrane is used for waterproof and breathable protection of battery packs and motor components to avoid thermal runaway risks and extend equipment life.
3. Environmental protection policies and sustainable development: global trends and industrial upgrading
Demand for environmentally friendly materials surges
Global environmental awareness has promoted the green transformation of the breathable membrane industry. For example, the application of degradable polylactic acid (PLA) breathable membrane in food packaging reduces plastic pollution and meets the requirements of the EU "Disposable Plastics Directive".
Bio-based breathable membranes (such as cellulose materials) have become the new favorite in the field of medical and sanitary products due to their low carbon footprint.
Policy support and standard improvement
Governments of various countries have introduced incentive policies (such as tax exemptions and subsidies) to encourage the research and development of environmentally friendly materials. For example, China's "14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Raw Materials Industry" clearly supports the development of high-performance membrane materials industry.
International standards (such as ISO 13859-2) put forward quantitative requirements for the waterproof and breathable performance of breathable membranes, promoting the upgrading of industry technology.
4. Upgrading consumer demand: health, comfort and durability
Improved quality of life
The growth of consumer demand for high-end sanitary products (such as baby diapers) and sports protective clothing has promoted innovation in the comfort and durability of breathable membranes. For example, breathable membranes with nano-level coatings can improve antibacterial properties by 90% while maintaining breathability.
Increased awareness of health and safety
The demand for breathable membranes in the medical field has surged, and they are used in surgical dressings, protective clothing and other scenarios. For example, medical-grade breathable membranes can block 99.9% of bacteria while keeping the skin breathing and reducing the risk of postoperative infection.
5. Expansion of emerging application fields: cross-border integration and industrial collaboration
New energy vehicles and 5G communications
Battery pack protection: Breathable membrane balances the air pressure inside and outside the battery pack, avoids structural deformation due to temperature and pressure changes, and extends battery life.
5G equipment heat dissipation: Breathable membranes are used in base station antennas, filters and other components to solve the contradiction between waterproofing and heat dissipation and improve equipment stability.
Agriculture and aerospace fields
Smart agriculture: Breathable membranes regulate temperature and humidity in greenhouses, promote crop growth, and reduce the use of pesticides.
Aerospace applications: Breathable membranes provide microenvironment control for space suits and space station equipment to resist extreme temperatures and radiation.
6. Market competition and industrial chain integration: efficiency improvement and global layout
Market competition pattern
The global breathable membrane market presents a pattern of "oligopoly competition + long-tail enterprises". Head companies occupy the high-end market with technological barriers, while small and medium-sized enterprises penetrate the middle and low-end fields through price competition.
Industry chain collaborative innovation
Upstream and downstream linkage: Upstream raw material suppliers (such as PTFE resin manufacturers) cooperate with midstream manufacturers to develop customized materials, and downstream application companies (such as construction companies) feedback their needs to form a closed loop.
Global layout: Companies set up production bases in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe to reduce production costs and avoid trade barriers.
The growth of the breathable membrane market is driven by multiple factors such as construction industry demand, technological progress, environmental protection policies, consumer demand upgrades, expansion of emerging application areas, and industrial chain integration. In the future, with the popularization of green buildings, high-end manufacturing upgrades, and stricter environmental protection standards, the breathable membrane industry will usher in a broader development space. Companies need to focus on technological innovation and global layout to seize market opportunities.
This report aims to provide a comprehensive presentation of the global market for Breathable Film, focusing on the total sales volume, sales revenue, price, key companies market share and ranking, together with an analysis of Breathable Film by region & country, by Type, and by Application.
The Breathable Film market size, estimations, and forecasts are provided in terms of sales volume (Ton) and sales revenue ($ millions), considering 2024 as the base year, with history and forecast data for the period from 2020 to 2031. With both quantitative and qualitative analysis, to help readers develop business/growth strategies, assess the market competitive situation, analyze their position in the current marketplace, and make informed business decisions regarding Breathable Film.
Market Segmentation
By Company
Mitsui Chemicals
Daedong
Hans Chemical
Hanjin P&C
Swanson Plastics
FSPG Huahan
Liansu Wanjia
Shandong HaiWei
AvoTeck
Shanghai Zihua
MicroVENT
Omyafiber
CPP
ARKEMA
cobetter
Dexing
GORE
Segment by Type
Breathable PE Film
Breathable PP Film
Others
Segment by Application
Hygiene
Healthcare
Others
By Region
North America
United States
Canada
Asia-Pacific
China
Japan
South Korea
Southeast Asia
India
Australia
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Europe
Germany
France
U.K.
Italy
Netherlands
Nordic Countries
Rest of Europe
Latin America
Mexico
Brazil
Rest of Latin America
Middle East & Africa
Turkey
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Rest of MEA
Chapter Outline
Chapter 1: Introduces the report scope of the report, global total market size (value, volume and price). This chapter also provides the market dynamics, latest developments of the market, the driving factors and restrictive factors of the market, the challenges and risks faced by manufacturers in the industry, and the analysis of relevant policies in the industry.
Chapter 2: Detailed analysis of Breathable Film manufacturers competitive landscape, price, sales and revenue market share, latest development plan, merger, and acquisition information, etc.
Chapter 3: Provides the analysis of various market segments by Type, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different market segments.
Chapter 4: Provides the analysis of various market segments by Application, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different downstream markets.
Chapter 5: Sales, revenue of Breathable Film in regional level. It provides a quantitative analysis of the market size and development potential of each region and introduces the market development, future development prospects, market space, and market size of each country in the world.
Chapter 6: Sales, revenue of Breathable Film in country level. It provides sigmate data by Type, and by Application for each country/region.
Chapter 7: Provides profiles of key players, introducing the basic situation of the main companies in the market in detail, including product sales, revenue, price, gross margin, product introduction, recent development, etc.
Chapter 8: Analysis of industrial chain, including the upstream and downstream of the industry.
Chapter 9: Conclusion.

Index