Pharmaceutical Packaging Market

The global market is valued at USD 143 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach a value of USD 500 Billion by 2032 at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 15% between 2024 and 2032.

Key Highlights

• North America predominantly led the market in 2023, with 36.5% of the total market share
• Asia Pacific is anticipated to register the fastest growth from 2024 to 2032
• The Plastic Bottles segment majorly contributed to the market’s expansion, constituting over 24.4% revenue share in 2023
• The Oral Drugs segment played a significant role in driving the market’s growth in 2023
• By Packaging Type, the Primary segment held the highest revenue share of 75.2% in 2023

Regional Overview

North America dominated the market in 2023, with 36.5% of revenue share. This is because of a significant medical expenditure, technological advances and strict regulatory requirements. A number of packaging types, such as bottles, blister packs, vials, tubes and prefillable syringes, which are intended to meet the different needs of the medicine, are included in the market. Innovation in this sector is driven by factors such as growing demand for personalized medicine and the growth of biopharmaceuticals. The regulatory environment in the region, with agencies such as FDA, imposes stringent standards for ensuring product safety and integrity to encourage development of tamperproof, child resistant or sustainable packaging.

U.S. Market Overview

The market in the United States, with a valuation of USD 41.8 Billion in 2023, is projected to reach around USD 76.6 Billion by 2032. A significant Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7% from 2024 to 2032 is projected in this forecast. The U.S. market is a significant part of the North American segment, characterized by strict regulations, technological innovation, and high healthcare spending. Driven by regulatory compliance and a focus on patient safety, the U.S. market emphasizes tamper-evident and child-resistant packaging. The demand for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions is also on the rise, reflecting broader environmental trends.

Type Overview

The Plastic Bottles segment dominated the type segment and accounted for over 24.4% of the total market revenue in 2023. Based on the Type, the market is segmented into Plastic Bottles, Blister Packs, Caps & Closures, Pre-filled Syringes, Pouches & Strips, Pre-filled Inhalers, Vials, Ampoules, Cartridges, Labels & Accessories, Medical Specialty Bags, Temperature-controlled Packaging, Medication Tubes, Jars & Canisters, and Others. The plastic bottles offer a lightweight, durable and cost effective solution for the storage of various medicines and health products. To ensure the integrity and safety of the pharmaceutical content, they provide excellent protection against moisture, contaminants and physical damage. In this segment, high-density polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate are among the most common plastics used due to their strength and resistance to chemicals. For example, HDPE plastic bottles are widely used to package over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, where the opaque nature of HDPE protects the medication from light exposure.

Drug Delivery Overview

The Oral Drugs segment dominated the global market in 2023. Based on the Drug Delivery, the market is segmented into Oral Drugs, Pulmonary, Transdermal, Injectables, Topical, Nasal, Ocular/Ophthalmic, IV Drugs, and Others. The oral drugs segment encompasses packaging solutions designed specifically for medications intended for oral administration, such as tablets, capsules, and liquids. This segment focuses on safety, tamper-evidence, and convenience to ensure medications are dispensed and consumed correctly. Blister packs and plastic bottles with child-resistant caps are common packaging types for oral drugs.

Packaging Type Overview

In 2023, there was remarkable growth in the Primary segment, over 75.2% of the market share. Based on the Packaging Type, the market is divided into Primary and Secondary. The primary segment in the market refers to packaging materials that come into direct contact with pharmaceutical products. This part is crucial for ensuring the safety, stability and efficacy of the medicinal product which offers protection from contamination, moisture, light or any environment factor. Common examples of primary packaging include blister packs, bottles, vials, and pre-filled syringes. Glass vials used to package injectable medicinal products, vaccines and biologics are one of the most common examples. The glass vial is selected for its chemical inertness which makes it a safe barrier against drug interactions while being transparent that allows easy inspection. In order to maintain product safety and to comply with regulatory standards, this primary packaging form also supports sterile processing.

Key Trends

1. A growing concern about reducing the environmental impact is driving the development of biodegradable and recyclable packaging materials. Companies are exploring innovative packaging designs, which reduce waste and promote recycling.
2. Smart packaging, e.g. RFID tags and QR codes, is on the rise. These technologies help to improve transparency in the supply chain and facilitate measures against counterfeiting.
3. Stricter regulations globally require Pharmaceutical Packaging to meet higher standards for tamper-evidence, child resistance, and sterility. This is leading to innovations in packaging design to ensure compliance.
4. The adoption of user-friendly packaging, such as blister packs and easy open bottles, is being driven by the focus to improve adherence among patients. This trend is particularly important for elderly patients and those with disabilities.
5. Special packaging, such as prefilled syringes and vials for the preservation of product stability and sterility, is becoming increasingly important due to growing importance of biopharmaceuticals.

Premium Insights

In January 2023, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway proposed a European Union-wide ban on a broad range of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. This is an important step towards the regulation of these substances in the pharmaceutical sector. The proposed ban would target raw materials, excipients, and packaging but would not include active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Monitoring the impact of this initiative on regulatory requirements for Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC) in relation to primary & secondary packaging will be essential.

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Market Dynamics

SCHOTT has initiated the production of amber pharma glass in India to meet growing market demand, marking a strategic effort to increase the availability of borosilicate glass for these packaging manufacturers in India and Asia. The company plans to invest EUR 75 million (approximately INR 660 crore) over three years to double its pharma tubing capacity in the region, creating 150 new jobs at its Gujarat-based facility. This plant is a production base for SCHOTT's glass tubes of borosilicate, high quality materials used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical containers such as vials, ampoules and syringes that contain lifesaving medicines. In support of Germany's commitment to increasing investments in India, this expansion is in line with the objective of the Indian Government to further establish India as a global pharmaceutical hub. Local production is expected to enhance availability, improve planning reliability, and reduce costs for pharmaceutical converters.

A range of more environmentally friendly Pharmaceutical Packaging solutions has been introduced by Amcor. In addition to its existing line of Pharmaceutical Packaging, this company introduces new High Shield laminates which are intended for better sustainability. These new packaging options comply with the stringent performance standards demanded by the industry, while at the same time meeting pharmaceutical companies' objectives of recyclable packaging in terms of their reduced carbon footprint and recycling. Various packaging formats such as sachets, stick packs and strips available in paper based Polyolefin materials offering flexibility to meet different needs are part of the High Shield innovations. In order to support pharmaceutical companies in their market differentiation efforts, the innovative structure of these laminates guarantees that they can be recycled as required by regional requirements. Furthermore, their compatibility with existing filling machines minimizes the need for additional investments or efficiency compromises for manufacturers and packers.

Competitive Landscape

Intense competition between different companies characterized the global market for packaging of pharmaceuticals, with a large number of competitors aiming to strengthen their position on the market. Existing and emerging participants, each with a view to meeting the evolving industry needs and regulatory requirements, form part of this competitive landscape. Investments in innovation, sustainability and advanced technology continue to give a strong foothold to major players such as Gerresheimer, Amcor or West Pharma Services. For example, Gerresheimer has opened a new facility in Berlin, Ohio, to manufacture pharmaceutical container solutions. The company officially inaugurated the building with a ceremony, and it will soon produce square plastic containers under the Duma Twist-Off Q brand. These 40-ml containers, designed with child-resistant closures and built-in desiccants, will be manufactured in a clean room to meet the needs of the North American market for medication packaging.

Recent Market Developments

SCHOTT Pharma's New U.S. Facility

• In March 2024, SCHOTT Pharma is set to grow its presence in the U.S. with a new prefillable syringe production facility in Wilson, North Carolina. The $371 million investment will bring over 400 new jobs to the area. This facility will be the first in the U.S. to meet the demand for domestically produced glass and polymer prefillable syringes used for mRNA, GLP-1, and other therapeutic deliveries.

Aptar CSP Technologies and ProAmpac's Innovative Packaging

• In February 2024, Aptar CSP Technologies, a division of AptarGroup, Inc. known for its active material science expertise, teamed up with ProAmpac, a leader in flexible packaging and material science, to create and launch ProActive Intelligence Moisture Protect (MP-1000). This innovative platform combines Aptar CSP's unique 3-Phase Activ-Polymer™ technology with ProAmpac's flexible blown film technology, resulting in a patent-pending moisture-absorbing flexible packaging solution.

Other Market Developments

• In October 2023, Gerresheimer has teamed up with Rezemo to develop bio-based closures. This partnership focuses on creating innovative and sustainable closures for primary packaging solutions, catering to various industries such as cosmetics, food and beverages, and pharmaceuticals.
• In August 2023, Amcor, a leading global company in responsible packaging solutions, has announced an agreement to acquire Phoenix Flexibles, thereby expanding its presence in the rapidly growing Indian market. Phoenix Flexibles, which operates a facility in Gujarat, India, generates around US$20 million annually from its flexible packaging products used in food, home care, and personal care. Additionally, the company is investing to double its local capacity in pharmaceutical and medical packaging sectors.
• In February 2023, Gerresheimer introduced its new Clinical Trial Kit at Pharmapack in Paris. This kit includes sterile Gx RTF vials in a nest and tub or tray with corresponding closures, designed to meet the needs of new drug, vaccine, and biologics development during early phases. The Clinical Trial Kit is ideal for small-scale manufacturing, ranging from initial trials to validation and clinical batches.
• In October 2023, SCHOTT AG has unveiled FIOLAX® Pro glass tubing, marking a new advancement in type I borosilicate glass tubing designed to cater to the evolving demands of the pharmaceutical industry. This latest product, along with its related services, is aimed at supporting three key industry trends: the growth of complex pharmaceuticals, sustainability efforts, and the adoption of digital technologies.

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The global Pharmaceutical Packaging market can be categorized as Type, Drug Delivery, Packaging Type, and Region.