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Most people are familiar with plastics in everyday life—used for food and beverage packaging, bags, or outdoor furniture. But did you know that plastics also play an important role in agriculture? They help boost productivity and effectively reduce costs. This is what we call “agricultural film.”

Agricultural Films Not Only Support Farming — They Add Value to Your Produce

Plastic is one of the most versatile inventions ever created, crafted for countless applications. Beyond everyday items, packaging, and industrial components, plastics also play a vital role in agriculture — widely known as agricultural films.

Agricultural films are plastics specifically designed for farming applications, such as greenhouse covers, mulch films, seedling bags, planting trays, and other related products. These films do more than simply assist in cultivation; they increase the value of agricultural produce, reduce the need for chemical pesticides, and improve both yield quality and appearance — ultimately helping farmers achieve better market value.

Successful farming requires far more than favorable weather conditions and access to adequate water resources. Farmers need to manage crop environments daily — including moisture, temperature, and soil nutrients — to ensure healthy growth and optimal yields.

Greenhouse cultivation is one key innovation that enables farmers to control the growing environment more precisely. While greenhouses were traditionally built with costly glass, the development of plastic greenhouse films made the technology more affordable while maintaining high performance. Beyond greenhouse covers, plastic mulch films are also used to control weeds and moisture, reducing farming costs and minimizing exposure to harmful chemicals.

Because of these advantages, manufacturers have continuously developed agricultural films to be more durable, efficient, and environmentally friendly — creating sustainable solutions that help reduce pollution in the long run.

Case Study: How France Uses Agricultural Films to Outperform Unpredictable Weather

France, known for its rapidly shifting climate, is one of the countries where agricultural films have become essential. Farmers use these films to protect crops from harsh weather fluctuations and pests, helping accelerate plant growth and increase yields.

Crops commonly grown with agricultural films in France include corn, melons, beans, and potatoes — all of which benefit from earlier harvesting when compared to conventional open-field farming.

Choosing the Right Agricultural Film Can Boost Yield and Quality

Today, many types of agricultural films are designed to suit different purposes — helping create optimal growing conditions and prevent pest damage. The result is larger, healthier produce with greater market value.

GreenhouseFilms

Historically, greenhouses were made of glass, making them expensive to build. Plastic films later emerged as a cost-effective alternative while delivering similar results.

Greenhouse films are now widely used in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Thailand. They effectively control humidity and temperature, protect crops from pests and diseases, allow year-round cultivation, and significantly reduce pesticide use.

There are two main types:

• High greenhouse covers — tall enough for people to work inside.
• Low tunnel covers — smaller tunnels about one meter high.

MulchFilms

Mulch films are among the most commonly used agricultural plastics. They help maintain soil moisture and suppress weeds that compete with crops for nutrients.

They come in two primary types:

• Transparent mulch film — ideal for young plants as it allows sunlight to pass through.
• Colored mulch film (usually black/silver) — used to control weeds. The black side faces the soil to retain moisture, while the silver side reflects light to aid photosynthesis and deter pests.

ShadeNets&InsectNets

Often referred to simply as “netting,” these mesh fabrics protect crops from pests and regulate sunlight. They help reduce chemical usage, improve safety for farmers and consumers, and add value to marketable produce.

Various mesh sizes are available depending on crop type and pest species. Choosing a mesh that is too fine may restrict airflow or light, potentially affecting crop growth — so proper selection is crucial.

InnovationsinEco-FriendlyAgriculturalFilms

While agricultural films offer significant benefits, plastic residues can still accumulate in the environment if not properly managed. Today, new innovations help address this issue.

Eco-Mulch Film(Soil-Biodegradable Mulch)

Microplastic pollution is a growing environmental concern. Eco-mulch films are designed to biodegrade in soil, allowing farmers to plow them directly into the ground after harvest.

Benefits include:

• Reduced labor from film removal
• Improved soil quality
• No long-term environmental impact

Agricultural Films Made from Recycled Plastic

Plastic recycling is a key approach to reducing global plastic waste. GC has developed plastic resins suitable for agricultural films that can be recycled again after use — supporting a circular economy and reducing environmental impact.

Creating optimal growing conditions while minimizing pesticide use is a modern approach to safe, environmentally conscious farming. This method reduces costs and increases yields effectively.

GC, one of Thailand’s leading plastic resin producers, is committed to supporting the country’s agricultural sector through innovations in high-quality, durable, and sustainable agricultural film materials — helping reduce environmental impacts and ensuring long-term agricultural productivity.

References

1. Agricultural Film Product Information, Retrieved October 18, 2023 https://productsandsolutions.pttgcgroup.com/th/solutions/agricultural-film
2. Polymers in Greenhouse Film Applications, Retrieved October 18, 2024 https://www.mtec.or.th/post-knowledges/32991/
3. Types of Films Used in the Agriculture Sector, Retrieved October 18, 2023 https://www.palvimasterbatches.com/blog/types-of-films-used-in-agriculture-sector
4. Soil-Biodegradable Mulch Films for Sustainable Food Production, Retrieved October 18, 2023 https://agriculture.basf.com/global/en/business-areas/crop-protection-and-seeds/agricultural-films.html
5. Eco-friendly Mulch Films, Retrieved October 18, 2023 https://www.research.chula.ac.th/th/news/6696/
6. Understanding Insect Nets, Retrieved October 18, 2023 https://www.hrdi.or.th/articles/Detail/1528
7. Agricultural Films: Sustainable Plastic Use in Agriculture, Retrieved October 18, 2023 https://bisresearch.com/news/agricultural-films-making-a-sustainable-use-of-plastic-in-the-agriculture-industry

Today, plastic waste has become one of the world’s most pressing environmental issues. Beyond reducing plastic consumption, proper waste separation and recycling are among the most effective solutions. In this article, we introduce Post-Consumer Recycled Resin PET, or PCR PET—a Food-Grade recycled plastic that can safely be used for water and food packaging, offering 100% safety.

Overflowing Plastic Waste: Less Than 10% Is Recycled

Plastic has long been a material that brings convenience to our daily lives. It exists in far more places than we realize—computers, car parts, phone cases, pens, fans, and, of course, food and beverage packaging.

The world produces and consumes massive amounts of plastic each year, especially single-use plastics. Alarmingly, less than 10% of global plastic waste is properly managed and recycled, resulting in widespread contamination in the environment. This has led to global movements encouraging plastic reduction and increased use of recycled plastics.

Where Does the Rest of the Plastic Go?

More than 85% of plastic waste ends up in landfills, where it can take hundreds of years to degrade. Some of it breaks down into microplastics that pollute ecosystems, wash into oceans, and ultimately make their way into the food chain—affecting both humans and animals.

How Much Plastic Does the World Produce Each Year?

In 2019, the world produced 460 million metric tons of plastic. Since plastic production began in 1950, global usage has increased every year. Today, accumulated plastic waste has surpassed 8.5 billion tons, equivalent to the weight of 25,000 Empire State Buildings.

If we fail to take collective action, the vision of Earth becoming a “plastic planet” may not be far off.

What Is PCR PET, and How Can It Change the World?

Global brands, especially large-scale producers, are actively seeking ways to reduce plastic use in their packaging. One of the most promising solutions is using recycled plastic—specifically high-quality, safe, and clean recycled PET.

PCR PET (Post-Consumer Recycled Resin PET) is made from used PET bottles, commonly found in single-use food and beverage packaging. These bottles go through a thorough cleaning process, material sorting, crushing, and remelting to produce new plastic pellets. The result is Food-Grade recycled PET that is safe for direct contact with food and beverages, with no risk to consumer health.

What Makes Plastic “Food Grade”?

Food-Grade plastic is safe for contact with food and beverages and contains no harmful residues. Both virgin and recycled Food-Grade plastics must be certified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Consumers can identify such products by looking for the “Food Safe” symbol—a wine glass and fork icon—on the packaging.

Giving PET Plastics a New Life

PET plastic is widely used today because it is safe for food contact and has excellent clarity, making packaging visually appealing. It is typically used for single-use food and beverage containers.

This is why effective PET recycling can significantly reduce plastic waste. PCR PET not only transforms used plastic into valuable material again but also raises the recycling standard by enabling the production of Food-Grade recycled plastic. This helps reduce plastic waste in two ways:

• Reusing discarded plastic
• Reducing the need for new (virgin) plastic production

However, efficient recycling requires collaboration from all stakeholders:

• Plastic producers must ensure high-quality PCR PET production
• Brand owners must commit to reducing plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions
  Consumers must choose eco-friendly packaging and practice proper waste separation

Together, these actions help reduce single-use plastic waste and prevent environmental contamination.

Global Beverage Brands Have Already Started Are You Ready to Join?

While avoiding all single-use plastic may not be possible, we can still choose more environmentally friendly options. Consumer awareness and brand commitment are key drivers of change.

Many leading global beverage brands that rely on PET bottles are now embracing 100% PCR PET to support Bottle-to-Bottle Recycling. Many brands also collaborate with partners to set up PET bottle collection bins, encouraging proper waste sorting and reducing contamination—ensuring bottles can be recycled effectively and safely.

For business owners seeking high-quality, food-safe, and environmentally responsible packaging, PCR PET is the answer. You can contact GC and ENVICCO, Thailand’s leading producers of premium recycled plastic pellets. As innovators in sustainability, we offer tailored solutions to support your business and reduce plastic waste.

References

1. “ENVICCO and PepsiCo launch the first use of InnoEco PCR PET in Thailand.” Retrieved October 17, 2023. https://productsandsolutions.pttgcgroup.com/th/market-movement/ldquo-envicco-และ-เป๊ปซี่-เปิดตัวการใช้งานเม็ดพลาสติก-innoeco-pcr-pet-ครั้งแรกในไทย-rdquo
2. “GC and ENVICCO host seminar: ‘InnoEco PCR PET by ENVICCO for Food Packaging: 1st Thai FDA Approved’.” Retrieved October 17, 2023. https://www.pttgcgroup.com/th/newsroom/news/1262/gc-และ-envicco-จัดงานสัมมนา-innoeco-pcr-pet-by-envicco-for-food-packaging-1st-thai-fda-approved
3. “For the first time in Thailand: GC develops high-quality, Food-Grade recycled plastic pellets certified by the Thai FDA.” Retrieved October 17, 2023. https://ngthai.com/news-activity/48150/pcr-pet-gc/
4. “The world flooded with plastics after 65 years of production.” Retrieved October 17, 2023.  https://www.bbc.com/thai/international-40678972
5. “Recycling Facts and Stats from Around the World.” Retrieved October 17, 2023. https://www.cartakebackaust.com/blog/in-the-know/recycling-facts-and-stats-from-around-the-world
6. “Why most plastic can’t be recycled.” Retrieved October 17, 2023. https://www.dw.com/en/why-most-plastic-cant-be-recycled/a-64978847
7. “Main uses of PET, the king of plastic materials.” Retrieved October 17, 2023.  https://www.repetco.com/main-uses-of-pet-the-king-of-plastic-materials/