From Water-Soluble Innovation to ASEAN Growth Engines: Inside the USD 443 Million Dissolvable Retention Films Market

The dissolvable retention films industry encompasses a specialized segment of water-soluble film materials designed to dissolve or disintegrate completely upon contact with water, offering sustainable and convenient solutions for unit-dose formats and controlled-release applications across packaging, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and industrial end-uses. These films, often made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), and other biodegradable polymers, address growing global demands for eco-friendly alternatives to traditional plastics, reducing waste and simplifying handling of concentrated products.

The global dissolvable retention film market size is at USD 443 million in 2024, with an expected compound annual growth rate of 6.8% through 2031, reaching market size USD 701 million by 2031. With an average selling price of USD 12,000 per ton, total 36,880 ton sold in 2024. The COGS breakdown is raw polymer costs, processing & labor and overhead and quality control. Factory gross profit is USD 3,360 per ton, and cost of goods is USD 8,640 per ton, factory gross margin of roughly 28% on finished film products. A single line full machine capacity production is around 500 ton per line per year. Downstream industry demand is concentrated in home & laundry care followed by pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food & beverages.

Latest Trends and Technological Developments
In the dissolvable retention films sector, technological innovation continues to accelerate around multi-layer and smart film architectures designed for precise dissolution and active ingredient release. On August 2024, Arrow Greentech refreshed its water-soluble film brand Watersol, emphasizing sustainability and performance improvements to better serve detergent and industrial applications. Earlier movements in 2025 included Kurarays launch of high-performance barrier film materials aimed at recyclable mono-material packaging, integrating bio-sourced feedstocks to reduce environmental impact. These developments indicate an industry shift toward enhanced film performance while maintaining eco-credentials, expanding potential use cases in complex delivery and high-barrier applications.
For instance, Chevron Corporation frequently purchases Aqua-Sol 3500D DRFs from Halliburton under long-term supply agreements at an approximate cost of USD 8,500 per ton. These films are engineered to dissolve in wellbore fluids after a predetermined time, eliminating the need for mechanical intervention or cleanup.
ExxonMobil utilized "RapidDissolve MAX" DRF from Baker Hughes in a 15-well fracturing campaign. The product was installed as part of the frac plugs to isolate individual stages. The total contract for the DRF material used across this project was valued at approximately USD 320,000, translating to a usage cost of roughly USD 12 per kilogram deployed downhole. This application significantly reduced intervention time and minimized environmental impact compared to traditional composite plugs.

Asia represents a major hub for both production and consumption of dissolvable retention films, anchored by strong manufacturing bases in China, Japan, South Korea, and India. Chinas PVA-based film manufacturing capabilities benefit from local access to raw materials and government encouragement of biodegradable alternatives, driving robust growth in both industrial and consumer sectors. Japan is noted for ultra-thin film applications and precision dosing formats in healthcare, while South Korea leads in biodegradable multilayer film innovations. Indias urban growth and increasing adoption of eco-friendly laundry pods contribute to expanding regional consumption. Across Asia, industrial strategies emphasize cost efficiency, scaling of production capacities, and penetration into agrochemical and home care markets.
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Dissolvable Retention Films by Type:
Water Soluble Films

Protective Coating Films

Barrier Films

Others

Dissolvable Retention Films by Product Category:
Polyvinyl Alcohol

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose

Starch Blends

Proprietary Co Polymers

Others

Dissolvable Retention Films by Market Segment:
Cold Water Soluble Film

Hot Water Soluble Film

Heat Sealable Soluble Film

Barrier Soluble Film

Others

Dissolvable Retention Films by Usage:
Cleaning Product Packaging

Agrochemical Unit Dose Packaging

Medical Packaging

Ingredients Packaging

Others

Dissolvable Retention Films by Shape:
Single Layer Dissolvable Films

Multi Layer Functional Films

Thermofromable Dissolvable Films

Sheet Fed Films

Others

Dissolvable Retention Films by Application:
Agriculture

Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare

Food and Beverages

Home and Laundry Care

Others

Global Top 20 Key Companies in the Dissolvable Retention Films Market
KOCH-Glitsch (US)

Kuraray Co., Ltd (Japan)

Arrow Greentech Ltd (India)

Polyva (China)

Amtrex Nature Care (India)

Soltec Development (Spain)

Ecopol S.p.A.(Italy)

Cortec Packaging (US)

Aristo Flexi Pack (India)

Aicello Corporation (Japan)

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation (Japan)

Sekisui ChemicalCo., Ltd (Japan)

EP Group (Czech Republic)

Clextral (France)

Mondi Group (UK)

Aquapak Polymer Ltd (UK)

Noble Group (Hong Kong)

SNF Group (France)

Jiangmen Proudly Water-Soluble Plastic Co., Ltd.(China)

Changzhou Greencradleland Macromolecule Materials Co., Ltd.(China)

Regional Insights
Within Southeast Asia, ASEAN markets such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia are seeing accelerated uptake of dissolvable retention films driven by rising environmental awareness, expanding detergent and agrochemical sectors, and growth in pharmaceutical packaging. Indonesia stands out due to its large and youthful population, rapid urbanization, and increasing demand for convenient unit-dose products in laundry and personal care segments. Regional manufacturers are exploring partnerships and capacity expansions to meet growing local demand while also serving export markets. Southeast Asian markets benefit from cost competitiveness and strategic geographic positioning near major raw material suppliers, although local infrastructure and technology gaps remain relative to more developed Asian markets.

Despite rising adoption, the industry faces challenges related to high raw material costs, sensitivity of biodegradable films to humidity and stress, and limited compatibility with non-polar substances that constrain broader industrial use. Regulatory variability across regions can also complicate compliance for multi-national producers, particularly in pharmaceutical and food-related applications where stringent standards apply. Supply chain volatility and competition from alternative sustainable materials further pressure margins and investment decisions.

For companies operating in the dissolvable retention films market, strategic emphasis on R&D to improve film durability, moisture resistance, and functional performance will be key to unlocking new industrial applications, particularly in healthcare and advanced agrochemical delivery systems. Partnerships with downstream brands in detergents, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals can secure long-term off-take contracts, while investment in automation and capacity enhancements at production facilities can improve cost structures and responsiveness to demand shifts. Positioning in rapidly growing regions such as Southeast Asia and South Asia offers opportunities to capture early market share ahead of global competitors.

Product Models
Dissolvable Retention Films are engineered film materials that provide controlled retention, protection, or barrier performance and are designed to dissolve in water, peel away after use, or degrade without leaving residue.
Water Soluble Films dissolve completely in water, enabling residue-free removal and precise dosing for chemicals, detergents, and pharmaceutical applications. Notable products include:
MonoSol M8630 Film Kuraray: A polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film designed for unit-dose detergent and chemical packaging with rapid water dissolution.
Aicello Hi-Selon WS Film Aicello Corporation: High-clarity water-soluble film used for agrochemical and industrial chemical packaging.
Sekisui Selvol Film Sekisui Specialty Chemicals: Water-soluble PVA film offering controlled dissolution rates for packaging and processing aids.
Arrow GreenSol Film Arrow Greentech: Eco-focused water-soluble film for detergents and institutional cleaning products.
Cortec EcoSol Film Cortec Corporation: Dissolvable film used for corrosion-inhibiting packaging and temporary protection.
Protective Coating Films provide temporary surface protection during manufacturing, transport, or installation and can be peeled off or dissolved after use. Notable products include:
Novacel Protective Film Novacel: Temporary surface protection film for metals, plastics, and coated panels.
Nitto SPV Series Nitto Denko: High-adhesion protective film used in electronics and automotive components.
3M Temporary Protective Film 4 Series 3M: Protective film designed to prevent scratches during processing and shipping.
Tesa Bodyguard Film Tesa SE: Clear protective film for high-gloss and painted surfaces.
Lintect Peelable Film Lintec Corporation: Clean-removal protective film for optical and electronic substrates.
Barrier Films are designed to temporarily block moisture, oxygen, chemicals, or contaminants while maintaining controlled removal or degradation properties. Notable products include:
EVOH Barrier Film Kuraray: High oxygen-barrier film used in food and pharmaceutical packaging.
Amcor AmLite Barrier Film Amcor: Lightweight barrier film providing strong moisture and oxygen protection.
Sealed Air Cryovac Barrier Film Sealed Air: High-performance barrier film for food preservation and protection.
Toray Lumirror Barrier Film Toray Industries: Polyester-based barrier film with excellent gas resistance.
Berry Global Barrier Stretch Film Berry Global: Barrier stretch film offering moisture and contamination resistance.
The global dissolvable retention films market is poised for continued growth through 2031, driven by sustainability imperatives, expanding unit-dose applications, and regional production strengths in Asia and Southeast Asia. Increasing consumer and regulatory pressure to reduce plastic waste, alongside technological advances that enhance film performance, will sustain investment and adoption across key sectors such as household care, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals. Strategic positioning, innovation investment, and regional market development will be vital for companies seeking to lead in this evolving and sustainability-focused industry landscape.

Investor Analysis
For investors, the data and insights presented in this report are valuable in identifying growth markets (especially Asia and ASEAN), understanding cost structures and pricing dynamics, and assessing competitive strengths of leading producers. The industrys projected CAGR and expanding downstream demand signal resilience and long-term growth potential. Investors can use this information to prioritize investments in companies with strong R&D pipelines, scalable production capabilities, and strategic partnerships in high-growth regions. Understanding cost break-downs and margin profiles enables more accurate valuation and risk assessment, while insights into technological trends highlight areas with potential for disruptive innovation and premium returns.
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5 Reasons to Buy This Report
Comprehensive overview of global and regional dissolvable retention films markets including Asia and ASEAN.
Detailed cost and pricing insights including factory margins and production capacity metrics.
Identification of latest technological trends and competitive developments.
Strategic analysis of challenges and growth opportunities.
Profiles of top industry players driving innovation and market expansion.
5 Key Questions Answered
What is the global market size and growth forecast for dissolvable retention films through 2031?
How are prices, costs, and margins structured across the production value chain?
What are the key regional dynamics in Asia and Southeast Asia?
Which technological and market trends are shaping future industry prospects?
Who are the top competitors and what strategic positions do they hold?
Chapter Outline
Chapter 1: Introduces the report scope of the report, executive summary of different market segments (by region, product type, application, etc), including the market size of each market segment, future development potential, and so on. It offers a high-level view of the current state of the market and its likely evolution in the short to mid-term, and long term.
Chapter 2: key insights, key emerging trends, etc.
Chapter 3: Manufacturers competitive analysis, detailed analysis of the product manufacturers competitive landscape, price, sales and revenue market share, latest development plan, merger, and acquisition information, etc.
Chapter 4: 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 5 & 6: Sales, revenue of the product in regional level and country level. It provides a quantitative analysis of the market size and development potential of each region and its main countries and introduces the market development, future development prospects, market space, and market size of each country in the world.
Chapter 7: 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 8: 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 9: Analysis of industrial chain, including the upstream and downstream of the industry.
Chapter 10: The main points and conclusions of the report.

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