Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Material (Plastics, Glass, Metal, Paper & Paperboard), By Product Type (Bottles, Caps & Closures, Pre-fillable Inhalers, Pre-Fillable Syringes, Vials & Ampoules, Blister Packs, Bags & Pouches, Jars & Canisters, Cartridges), By Drug Delivery Mode (Oral Drug Delivery Packaging, Injectable Packaging, Topical Drug Delivery Packaging, Pulmonary Drug Delivery Packaging, Transdermal Drug Delivery Packaging, Ocular Drug Delivery Packaging), By Packaging Type (Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary), and Regional Forecasts, 2022-2029

The global pharmaceutical packaging market size was valued at USD 95.36 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow from USD 101.59 billion in 2022 to USD 150.78 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period. The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with pharmaceutical packaging experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. Based on our analysis, the global pharmaceutical packaging market exhibited a growth of 6.7% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

As a result of unprecedented growth, the pharmaceutical industry is experiencing rapid expansion. Medical packaging depends primarily on the prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases. These packaging solutions secure, store, and protect drugs when transporting and storing drugs. These solutions are highly regulated to protect the medicines from physical damage and external influences that might lead to contamination until the consumption of medicines. During the product's shelf life, packaging can be used to promote the product and differentiate it from the competition. There will be an increase in the consumption of packaging of pharmaceutical products due to the rising demand for pharmaceutical drugs and medicines.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Increasing Demand for Online Shopping Fueled Market Growth

Several industries are distressed due to the coronavirus, resulting in the scarcity of raw materials and disrupted supply chains. However, West Pharmaceutical Services companies were exempted from lockdown restrictions as their activities are essential to the community. The pharmaceutical industry was operational to manufacture healthcare products, and government support for medicines and generic drugs will simultaneously foster the market's growth. Key players in the market have automated their operations to keep up with the increasing demand for the packaging of COVID-19 related pharmaceutical products.

LATEST TRENDS

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Development of Novel Drug Packaging Systems to Propel Market

The development of novel drug packaging systems has led to the demand for pharmaceutical packaging. The novel drug packaging system packs prefilled inhalers and prefilled syringes; these products are single-dose vaccine units. These products are replacements for traditional syringes and vials. The prefilled inhalers and syringes are designed to protect the packed drugs from directly contacting external surroundings or the patient, thereby avoiding contamination. It also reduces wastage and provides patient compliance by offering a self-administered metered dosage. The rising aging population and an increase in diseases, such as diabetes and asthma, are fueling the demand for these products, which will aid the development of novel drug plastics group packaging systems.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Demand from the Pharmaceutical Industry to Drive Market Growth

The pharmaceutical industry is growing rapidly, mainly in developing economies such as China, India, and Brazil and in developed economies such as the U.S., the U.K., and Germany. The growth is attributed to the rising population, increasing technological innovations, rise in healthcare awareness, adoption of advanced manufacturing processes, rising spending in public healthcare systems, and implementation of new government regulations to control the spread of infectious diseases. Additionally, the rising demand for biological products and emerging treatments such as cell and gene therapies are expected to promote the growth of the pharmaceutical industry.

For instance, as per the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Association, in 2021, North America's share of world pharmaceutical sales was 49.1%, while Europe's share was 23.4%. According to IQVIA, 64.4% of the sales of new medicines launched on the market in 2016-2021 were in the US market, while the share of the European market was 16.8% (top 5 markets).

Increasing Adoption of Generic Drugs in Developing Countries to Fuel Market Growth

The increasing adoption of generic drugs in developing countries, owing to their low cost will fuel the demand for pharmaceutical packaging. A generic drug is a pharmaceutical drug with the same chemical ingredients, dosage, intended use, side effects, and route of administration as the original drug. Many companies are investing in manufacturing generic drugs to provide medicinal treatments at a lower cost. This packaging plays an important role in the manufacturing process of generic drugs as they are needed to pack and protect drugs during storage and carriage. Hence, the rising demand for generic drugs will propel the usage of pharmaceutical packaging.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Rise in Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Drugs to Restrict Market Growth

Counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs are fake medicines that contain false or no active ingredients and can be contaminated. These counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs are illegal and also harmful to the health. Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are rising due to third-shift packaging, where the contract manufacturers seek extra profits by producing additional secret drugs and selling them to counterfeiters. Hence, rising counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs are anticipated to restrict the pharmaceutical packaging market share.

SEGMENTATION

By Material Analysis

Plastics Segment to Remain the Largest Material Used in Market

Based on material, the market is segmented into plastics, glass, metal, paper & paperboard, and others. Plastic is the most considerable raw material used in the production of packaging of pharmaceutical products. Plastics, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), are majorly used in this packaging. Plastics are easy to mold in any shape and size, offer protective properties, and are cost-effective; hence, they serve as an ideal packaging material for pharmaceutical preparations. These plastics protect drugs from physical damage and contamination. It is applied in bottles, closures, blister packs, jars & canisters, and overwrap.

Paper & paperboard is the second-largest material used in the pharmaceutical industry owing to its lightweight and low-cost properties. Mostly, it is preferred for secondary and tertiary packaging. Paper & paperboard materials are used to make cartons, shrink wraps, boxes, and cardboard. Packaging products made from glass are transparent, tough, durable, highly inert, and have a lower risk of leachable substances when compared to plastics. Increasing demand for vials & ampoules for injection and vaccine packaging provided a tremendous growth opportunity for glass material during the pandemic in 2020.

Metals are rigid, unbreakable, and light in weight compared to glass. Increasing demand for packaging products such as aerosol generators, canisters, collapsible tubes, implants, strip packs, and blister packs will surge metal consumption in the pharmaceutical industry.

By Product Type Analysis

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Bottles Segment to Account for Major Share during the Forecast Period

Based on product type, the market is categorized into bottles, caps & closures, pre-fillable inhalers, pre-fillable syringes, vials & ampoules, blister packs, bags & pouches, jars & canisters, cartridges, and others. Among these, the bottles segment is the most significant product type. Growth in this segment is attributed to its lightweight, easy-to-mold, and low-cost properties. Plastic bottles are also preferred in packaging solid and liquid medicines such as tablets, capsules, syrups, eye drops, and nose drops. Increasing demand for plastic bottles in the pharmaceutical industry is expected to boost market growth. Further, the consumption of caps & closures is anticipated to rise due to the growing demand for bottles, vials, and jars during the forecast period.

The pre-fillable syringes segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth during the review period. Pre-fillable syringes are transparent, lightweight, ready-to-fill, break-resistant, and efficiently replace traditional syringes. These syringes provide metered dosage without any wastage and enable self-administration. The increasing need for immediate treatment and rising diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are expected to surge the demand for pre-fillable syringes.

Blister packs are used to hold and protect tablets and capsules individually. Additionally, multi-compartmental trays are used to pack vials & ampoules, syringes, sutures, and implants. Increasing demand for packaging products used to pack multiple doses of medication will surge the blister packs adoption during the forecast period. Bags & pouches are used as primary or secondary packaging to hold single-use items, such as syringes, various sterile swabs, masks, and gloves, which should remain sterile until the package is opened. Bags & pouches are thin, lightweight, durable, tear-resistant, and low-cost packaging.

By Packaging Type Analysis

Primary Packaging Segment to be Fastest-Growing Packaging Type in Market

Based on packaging type, the market is classified into primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary segment is the most significant packaging type growing at the highest CAGR in this market. This packaging type directly comes in contact with the drug; hence, it has to meet all the regulatory parameters and maintain the quality of the drug. Plastic bottles, caps & closures, blister packs, pre-fillable inhalers, pouches, and medication tubes are some of the products included in this packaging. These products protect the drugs from moisture and chemicals and aid in maintaining the shelf life of the drug.

Secondary segment is used for packing a group of primary packaged products. This segment consists of boxes and cartons. This packaging provides detailed information about the drug, including ingredients, manufacturer's name, address, precautions, and use and storage instructions, and helps to differentiate drugs from one another. Tertiary packaging allows easy handling of bulk products. Rising usage of containers, shipping barrels, edge protectors, and growing import-export activities of pharmaceutical products will surge the demand for tertiary packaging during the forecast period.

By Drug Delivery Mode Analysis

Oral Drug Delivery Packaging to Account for Dominant Share during Forecast Period

Based on drug delivery mode, the market is segmented into oral drug delivery packaging, topical drug delivery packaging, injectable packaging, ocular drug delivery packaging, pulmonary drug delivery packaging, transdermal drug delivery packaging, nasal drug delivery packaging, and others. Oral drug delivery packaging is the dominant segment in the global market. Pharmaceutical preparations are majorly consumed orally in the form of tablets, capsules, powders, liquids, and semi-liquids. The flexibility in designing dosage and cost-effective production make oral drug delivery an ideal choice, further fueling the development of oral drug delivery packaging.

Injectable packaging is the second-largest segment in the market. It covers a wide range of preparations, from injection solutions to implants. The products such as prefilled syringes or auto-injector pens, vials, and ampoules are used in injectable packaging. Increasing the use of injections for drug delivery will fuel the demand for injectable packaging. Further, the rising prevalence of inflammatory diseases would increase the usage of topical pharmaceuticals and fuel the demand for topical drug delivery packaging.  

Pressurized Metered-Dose Inhalers (MDIs), Dry Powder Inhalers (DPIs), vaporizers, and nebulizers are the pulmonary drug delivery products used to treat respiratory diseases. Increasing the use of jars & canisters, plastic actuators, pouches, and boxes for pulmonary drug packaging will drive the growth of the pulmonary drug delivery packaging segment.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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The global market analysis has been done across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

North America holds the highest market share, and the U.S. is the most significant contributor in this region. The growth of this region is owed to the rapidly rising pharmaceutical industry. The rising demand for primary packaging products, increasing healthcare spending, and rising disease prevalence are driving the market in this region.

The European market is the second largest in the world, with Germany, the U.K., and Italy leading the way. Plastic bottles, containers, vials, ampoules, and pre-filled syringes have contributed to the growth of this region. Further, the rising adoption of updated regulations by governments to control the spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19 has propelled the pharmaceutical packaging market growth.

China, Japan, and India are the leading countries contributing to market growth in the Asia Pacific region. Rising investments and expansions of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in these countries are expected to provide growth opportunities to the market in this region. Moreover, pharmaceutical companies were motivated to facilitate medical access to hospitals and patients. Rising anxiety about the transmission of the virus through the packaging surfaces offered pharmaceutical manufacturers an opportunity to increase the production of sterile packaging formats.

The market in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa shall gain a steady market share in the near future owing to factors such as rising government support toward the pharmaceutical industry, increasing healthcare spending, and rising prevalence of diseases. Moreover, the rise in geriatric population and chronic diseases fuel the demand for pharmaceuticals, thereby acting as a driver for pharmaceutical packaging consumption.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Organic and Inorganic Growth Strategies by Key Packaging Manufacturers to Reinforce Position        

The market's competitive landscape presents a semi-consolidated market, with the top 15 companies occupying a large market share. Major players have invested significant resources in the development of several products and the technology used to manufacture them. A diversified product portfolio, superior operational efficiencies, and safe and novel technology development for pharmaceutical packaging applications are strategies adopted by market leaders for growth. The companies have adopted strategies of expansion, new product development, partnership, and acquisition to increase their regional presence and product portfolio.

Major players operating in the market include Berry Global, Amcor, Sonoco Products Company, Huhtamaki, and Gerresheimer. Significant companies constitute more than 50% of the market, and many regional and local players dominate the remaining market. Numerous other players operating in the industry are focused on delivering advanced packaging solutions.

List of Key Companies Profiled in the Report:

• Amcor Plc (Switzerland)


• Gerresheimer AG (Germany)


• SCHOTT AG (Germany)


• WestRock (U.S.)


• AptarGroup, Inc. (U.S.)


• Berry Global, Inc (U.S.)


• NIPRO (Japan)


• CCL Industries Inc. (Canada)


• West Pharmaceutical Services (U.S.)


• SGD Pharma (France)


• Ardagh Group S.A. (Luxembourg)


• International Paper (U.S.)


• Comar LLC (U.S.)


• Vetter Pharma (Germany)


• Nolato AB (Sweden)


• Origin Pharma Packaging (U.K.)


• Huhtamäki Oyj (Finland)


• Parekhplast India Limited (India)


• Regent Plast Pvt. Ltd. (India)


• Graham Blow Pack Pvt. Limited (India)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• May 2022 - Bormioli Pharma, a manufacturer of glass and plastic primary packaging for pharmaceutical use, has announced the launch of EcoPositive, a label for all the company’s sustainable packaging offerings. This includes recycled glass and plastics, bio-based, biodegradable, or compostable plastic solutions, and advanced polymer products.


• April 2022 - Amcor, a global leader in the design and manufacture of responsible packaging solutions, has announced the addition of a new, more sustainable High Shield laminate to its pharmaceutical packaging portfolio. New low-carbon, recyclable packaging options help on two fronts: meeting the high barriers and performance requirements demanded by the industry while supporting the recycling agenda of pharmaceutical companies.


• June 2022 - Constantia Flexibles introduced a recycle-ready laminate with improved chemical resistance. The world’s third-largest flexible packaging manufacturer launched the first ready-to-be-recycled mono-material based on polypropylene (PP) with high chemical resistance for pharmaceutical products.


• July 2021 - Keystone Folding Box Company (USA) reported increased demand for corrugated cardboard-based blister packs for pharmaceutical packaging. This increase in demand was driven by the introduction of new environmental sustainability legislation in India and increased demand for child-safe pharmaceutical packaging in the U.S.


• April 2021 - Amcor Plc (Switzerland) launched customer trials for a new mono-material, recyclable polyethylene blister pack—AmSky. This brand eliminates the use of polyvinyl chloride, making recycling possible.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The research report presents a comprehensive industry assessment by offering valuable insights, facts, industry-related information, and historical data. Several methodologies and approaches are adopted to make meaningful assumptions and views to formulate the report. Furthermore, the report covers a detailed industry analysis of market segments, including material, product type, drug delivery mode, packaging type, and regions, helping our readers get a comprehensive global industry overview.

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