Introduction
The global plastic packaging industry is undergoing a historic transformation. According to the latest industry report, the global blown film extruder market size is expected to exceed $18 billion in 2026, with a year-on-year growth of 12.3%. Among them, five-layer and above multi-layer co-extrusion technology, energy-efficient design, and intelligent production have become the three core engines driving market growth. As a leading Chinese manufacturer of blown film equipment, Hebei Chengheng Plastic Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. is leading the industry toward higher quality and more sustainable development with its technical accumulation in multi-layer co-extrusion and global layout.
1. Industry Trends: Multi-Layer Co-Extrusion Becomes Mainstream, Market Demand Undergoes Structural Upgrade
1.1 Penetration Rate of Multi-Layer Co-Extrusion Technology Continues to Rise
Data shows that multi-layer co-extrusion blown film machines have accounted for 67% of the global market in 2026, with five-layer co-extrusion models accounting for 27% and seven-layer and above high-end models accounting for 19%. This structural change mainly stems from the urgent demand of the downstream packaging industry for high-barrier performance films.
"Multi-layer co-extrusion technology can precisely layer polymers with different characteristics, significantly improving their oxygen, moisture and aroma barrier properties without increasing film thickness," said Engineer Wang, Technical Director of Hebei Chengheng. "The food packaging film produced by our five-layer co-extrusion blown film machine can extend the shelf life of food products by more than 40%, which is revolutionary for the fresh produce, meat and dairy industries."
1.2 Sustainable Development Reshapes Industry Landscape
The revised EU Single-Use Plastics Directive will come into full effect in 2026, requiring all plastic packaging to contain no less than 30% recycled content. This policy is triggering a chain reaction worldwide, pushing blown film machine manufacturers to accelerate the development of special equipment capable of processing recycled and biodegradable materials.
Hebei Chengheng took the lead in launching the special blown film machine for biodegradable materials, which successfully solved the industry pain points of strong thermal sensitivity and easy hydrolysis of biodegradable materials such as PLA and PBAT by optimizing screw design and temperature control system, increasing the yield rate to over 95%. At present, this series of equipment has been exported to Germany, France, the Netherlands and many other EU countries, helping customers smoothly meet local environmental regulations.
1.3 Automation and Intelligence Accelerate Popularization
The Industry 4.0 wave is profoundly changing the design concept of blown film machines. In 2026, more than 48% of new blown film machine installations are equipped with automatic control systems, realizing real-time monitoring, automatic adjustment and predictive maintenance. These intelligent systems can reduce material waste by 30%, lower energy consumption by 28%, and significantly improve film thickness uniformity.
2. Technological Breakthrough: Hebei Chengheng Five-Layer Co-Extrusion Blown Film Machine Sets Industry Benchmark
2.1 Core Technical Advantages
Hebei Chengheng's independently developed CH-5L Series Five-Layer Co-Extrusion Blown Film Machine integrates a number of industry-leading technologies:
- K-design High-Efficiency Air Ring System: Adopts advanced aerodynamic design, cooling efficiency is 20% higher than traditional air rings, production speed is increased by 15%, while ensuring film thickness deviation is controlled within ±3%
- Difini Gravimetric Loss-in-Weight Feeding System: Achieves millisecond-level precise batching with material ratio error less than 0.1%, ensuring consistent performance of each batch of films
- PLC+HMI Intelligent Control System: Equipped with 15-inch high-definition touch screen, built-in process parameter library for various materials, operators can switch production modes with one click
- IBC Internal Bubble Cooling System: Dual internal and external cooling significantly improves film transparency and mechanical properties
Figure 2: Close-up of Hebei Chengheng K-design High-Efficiency Air Ring System
Figure 3: Difini Gravimetric Loss-in-Weight Feeding System (Standard Configuration for CH-5L Series)
2.2 Customer Value Realization
"We introduced Hebei Chengheng's five-layer co-extrusion blown film production line at the end of 2025. The production efficiency has increased by 40% compared with our original three-layer equipment, and energy consumption has decreased by 25%," said the General Manager of a large packaging enterprise in Vietnam in an interview. "More importantly, now we can produce high-barrier food packaging films, and the product added value has more than doubled, successfully entering the international high-end market."
As of May 2026, Hebei Chengheng's five-layer co-extrusion blown film machines have been exported to more than 50 countries and regions around the world, widely used in food packaging, medical packaging, industrial packaging and agricultural films.
3. Market Outlook: Chinese Intelligent Manufacturing Accelerates Global Expansion
3.1 Export Market Enters Golden Development Period
Data from the General Administration of Customs shows that China's total export value of blown film machines reached $680 million in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 21.4%. It is expected that in 2026, the procurement volume of Chinese-made blown film equipment in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America will grow by 23%.
"Chinese blown film machine manufacturers are gradually replacing the dominant position of European and American brands in emerging markets with high cost performance, fast delivery and perfect after-sales service," industry analysts pointed out. "Especially in the fields of multi-layer co-extrusion and environmental protection technology, Chinese enterprises already have the strength to compete with international giants on the same stage."
3.2 Hebei Chengheng's Globalization Strategy
As a leading enterprise in China's blown film machine industry, Hebei Chengheng has formulated a clear globalization development strategy:
- Technological Innovation: Invest 8% of annual sales revenue in R&D to continuously improve product technical content and added value
- Market Expansion: Establish overseas offices and service centers in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe to provide localized support for customers
- Service Upgrade: Provide one-stop turnkey solutions from factory planning, equipment installation, personnel training to after-sales maintenance
- Green Development: Increase R&D investment in biodegradable materials and recycled material processing technology to help the sustainable development of the global plastic industry
Conclusion
In 2026, the global blown film machine industry is standing at a new historical starting point. The popularization of multi-layer co-extrusion technology, the requirements of sustainable development and the wave of intelligence are reshaping the competitive landscape of the entire industry. Hebei Chengheng Plastic Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. will continue to adhere to the concept of "Technological Innovation, Quality First, Service Global", provide global customers with more advanced, efficient and environmentally friendly blown film equipment and solutions, and create a better future together with industry partners.
About Hebei Chengheng Plastic Machinery Technology Co., Ltd.Hebei Chengheng Plastic Machinery Technology Co., Ltd. is located in Xingtai City, Hebei Province, a high-tech enterprise specializing in R&D, production and sales of blown film machines. The company has a modern production base and a professional R&D team. Its main products include three-layer, five-layer and multi-layer co-extrusion blown film machines, high-speed blown film machines, biodegradable material blown film machines, etc. The products have passed CE, UL, FDA and other international certifications and are exported to more than 50 countries and regions around the world.
