US demand for specialty films is forecast to rise 4.8 percent per year to $8.4 billion in 2019. Gains will be fueled by the rising need for high-value, technologically advanced materials that provide characteristics such as barrier properties, controlled permeability, light control, and electrical conductivity or resistivity. A healthy outlook for the packaging industry, where the majority of specialty films are used, will boost demand, as will a rebound in construction. Additionally, advances will result from the development of new applications in degradable packaging and fuel cells, and robust growth in emerging markets such as advanced batteries.