BOPP is known as the “queen of plastic films” and holds a pivotal position in the flexible packaging industry. Since the late 1970s, the range of BOPP products has continued to expand, adding vibrant colors to our everyday lives.
　　BOPP product categories are first classified according to their intended applications, including glossy films, matte films, pearlescent films, cover‑coat films, aluminized films, adhesive‑tape films, bag‑making films, heat‑seal films, laser‑etched films, anti‑fog films, and more. The variety of films has continuously evolved in tandem with rising living standards, and in recent years, coating‑free films have gradually come into focus under increasing environmental demands. Here, we provide a brief overview of the typical applications for several common film types:
　　Gloss film: In general, standard gloss film is primarily used for printing and is commonly employed in packaging applications. It is further categorized into thick‑gloss film and thin‑gloss film; typically, thick‑gloss film has a thickness of 25 μm or greater, while thin‑gloss film is 19 μm or less.
　　Matte film, also known as anti‑glare film, achieves its effect primarily by absorbing and scattering light. It generally enhances the visual sophistication of printed surfaces, though it comes at a relatively higher price and is produced by fewer domestic manufacturers. Consequently, it is often used in boxed foods or high‑end packaging. Matte films typically lack a heat‑seal layer, so they are frequently laminated with other films, such as CPP or BOPET, for practical applications.
　　Pearlized film: Typically a three-layer co-extruded stretch film, it usually features a heat-seal layer on the surface. Common applications include chopstick bags, where the pearlized film itself provides the heat seal, resulting in a distinct sealed section. Unlike BOPP clear films, pearlized films generally have a density below 0.68, which helps reduce costs. Moreover, they often exhibit a white, opaque pearlescent finish and offer some light‑blocking properties, providing protection for products that require shade. Of course, pearlized films are frequently laminated with other films for use in food and consumer goods—such as ice cream and chocolate packaging, as well as beverage bottle labels—where their white, pearlescent appearance complements carefully designed printed patterns.
　　Covering film: As far as we know, covering films are typically thin, with a thickness below 18 μm, and usually undergo double-sided corona treatment. Consequently, their applications overlap with those of standard optical films, yet they also exhibit some distinct differences. Generally, they are not used for manufacturing ordinary bags.
　　Aluminum‑coated film: While aluminum‑coated films are fairly well known, they are most commonly based on BOPET and CPP. In China, aluminum‑coated BOPP remains relatively rare, and in recent years, the price advantage of BOPET has somewhat dampened the market for aluminum‑coated BOPP.
　　Laser film: It is a transparent BOPP film with a moldable functional layer, enabling embossing without the need for an additional pre‑coated embossing layer. After aluminum coating or vapor deposition, it is used in anti‑counterfeiting packaging, or laminated with cardboard or non‑treated substrates to produce packaging boxes for cigarettes, pharmaceuticals, food, and other products. Production in China remains relatively limited; it is typically employed for high‑end anti‑counterfeiting applications and decorative packaging, and it places certain demands on manufacturing technology.
　　Tape‑grade film and bag‑making film are quite common, while anti‑fog and coating‑free films have already been discussed in detail elsewhere and will not be revisited here. Of course, BOPP film also encompasses many high‑end varieties, such as capacitor film, as well as a range of custom‑made grades. Looking ahead, amid intensifying competitive pressures and shrinking margins for mainstream products, the diversity of BOPP film types—and the emergence of new, innovative film technologies—are expected to continue expanding, further fueling innovation in the packaging industry.