Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis By Material (Plastic, Glass, Metals, 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 (Injectable Packaging, Oral Drug Delivery Packaging, Topical Drug Delivery Packaging, Pulmonary Drug Delivery Packaging, Transdermal Drug Delivery Packaging, Ocular Drug & Nasal Drug Delivery Packaging), By Packaging Type (Primary, Secondary, & Tertiary), & Regional Forecast, 2025-2032

The global pharmaceutical packaging market size was valued at USD 110.55 billion in 2024. It is projected to be worth USD 116.58 billion in 2025 and reach USD 177.12 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.16% during the forecast period. North America dominated the pharmaceutical packaging market with a market share of 30% in 2024.

Pharmaceutical packaging encompasses the processes and materials used to protect, preserve, and deliver pharmaceutical products. It serves multiple functions, including safeguarding drugs from environmental factors such as moisture, light, and temperature variations, and ensuring that the product remains within its designated container without leakage or contamination. Additionally, it provides essential details such as dosage instructions, expiration dates, and regulatory compliance information thus contributing to the global pharmaceutical packaging market growth.

Pharmaceutical packaging is the process of containing, protecting, and delivering a drug product to ensure its safety and efficacy. It includes the physical packaging and all related operations from production to distribution. The rising demand for pharmaceutical drugs and medicines has led to a rise in the consumption of pharmaceutical packaging, boosting market growth. Amcor Plc and Gerresheimer AG are the leading manufacturers, accounting for the rapid market growth.

MARKET DYNAMICS

MARKET DRIVERS

Rising Demand from the Pharmaceutical Industry and Rising Healthcare Awareness 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 and encourage the global pharmaceutical packaging market share.

As per the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, In 2022, North America accounted for 52.3% of world pharmaceutical sales compared to 22.4% for Europe. According to IQVIA (MIDAS May 2023), 64.4% of sales of new medicines launched between 2017-2022 were in the U.S. market, compared to 16.4% in the European market (top 5 markets).

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

The increasing adoption of generic drugs in developing countries, due 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 the manufacturing of 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.

According to Invest India, India is one of the largest suppliers of low-cost vaccines in the world and largest provider of generic medicines, holding a 20% share of global supply by volume.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Rise in Counterfeit Pharmaceutical Drugs to Restrict Market Growth

Counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs are fake medicines that either contain false or no active ingredients and can be contaminated. These counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs are illegal and also harmful to health. The rise in counterfeit pharmaceuticals are often linked to third-party packaging, where contract manufacturers produce additional unregistered drugs and sell them to counterfeiters for extra profit. Hence, rising counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs will restrict the growth of pharmaceutical packaging market.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Introduction of Sustainable and Smart Packaging Materials Generate Growth Opportunities

With an increasing focus on sustainability, there is a growing demand for recyclable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly materials. Companies are exploring alternatives to traditional plastics, such as plant-based polymers or paper-based solutions. Materials that provide additional functionality, such as moisture control, tamper-evidence, or drug-release mechanisms, are gaining huge traction. Active packaging (e.g., oxygen scavengers, moisture absorbers) and intelligent packaging (e.g., sensors, RFID tags) are also gaining popularity, presenting lucrative growth opportunities.

In October 2024, Bayer launched a first-of-its-kind polyethylene terephthalate (PET) blister packaging for its renowned Aleve brand. Developed in partnership with pharma packaging specialist Liveo Research, this innovative solution reduces the carbon footprint of the packaging by 38%1. It marks a stride in environmental stewardship by eliminating the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

MARKET CHALLENGES

Complex and Evolving Regulations Challenges the Market Growth

Navigating complex and varying regulations across different regions requires significant resources and expertise. The pharmaceutical packaging industry must adhere to strict regulations set by global regulatory bodies such as the FDA (U.S.), EMA (EU), and WHO. Compliance with laws on labeling, serialization, child resistance, and tamper-evidence is mandatory. However, these regulations are constantly changing, and keeping up with them across multiple markets is a challenge. Global pharmaceutical companies often face the task of ensuring packaging meets a variety of national and international standards while remaining cost-effective, which can hinder market growth. Moreover, addressing the environmental impact of packaging materials and processes, which is prompting a shift toward sustainable practice, further challenges market growth.

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PHARMACEUTICAL PACKAGING MARKET TRENDS

Development of Novel Drug Packaging Systems to Propel Market Development

The development of novel drug packaging systems has increased the demand for pharmaceutical packaging. The novel drug packaging system includes prefilled inhalers and prefilled syringes, which are single-dose vaccine units and serve as replacements for traditional syringes and vials. The prefilled inhalers and syringes are designed to protect the drugs from direct contact with external surroundings or the patient, avoiding contamination. It also reduces wastage and provides patient compliance by offering a self-administered metered dosage.

The rising aging population and increased diseases, such as diabetes and asthma, fuel the demand for these products, which will aid the development of novel drug-plastic group packaging systems. In addition, the integration of sensors and digital interfaces to monitor drug adherence and provide real-time data to healthcare providers also emerges as a prominent trend.

• According to the Falsified Medicines Directive, European Medicines Agency, in 2019, over 1.2 trillion pharmaceuticals worldwide were tracked using serialization numbers, of which 49% of them in the U.S.

IMPACT OF COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic positively impacted the market. The pharmaceutical industry was operational in manufacturing healthcare products and government support for medicines and generic drugs contributed to market growth. Key players in the market automated their operations to keep up with the increasing demand for packaging related to COVID-19 pharmaceutical products.

SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS

By Material

Remarkable Properties Offered by Plastic Material Boosts the Growth of the Plastic Segment

Based on material, the market is segmented into plastics, glass, metal, paper & paperboard, and others.

Plastic is the most widely used raw material in the production of pharmaceutical packaging. Plastics are dominant due to their versatility, lightweight nature, and cost-effectiveness. Materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) are commonly used. Plastics are easy to mold in any shape and size, offer protective properties, and are cost-effective, making them ideal for packaging pharmaceutical products. These materials protect drugs from physical damage and contamination, and are used  in items such as 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. They are primarily used in secondary and tertiary packaging for making cartons, shrink wraps, boxes, and cardboard.

By Product Type

Surge in Demand for Glass Bottles for Solid & Liquid Medicines Propels Segmental Growth

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.

Bottles are the dominating segment as they are widely used for liquid and solid oral medications. Growth in this segment is attributed to its lightweight, easy-to-mold, and low-cost properties. Along with the growing demand for glass bottles, several plastic bottles are also preferred in packaging solid and liquid medicines such as tablets, capsules, syrups, eye drops, and nose drops.

The pre-fillable syringes segment holds the second-largest share of the market. These ready-to-fill syringes are lightweight, transparent, and break-resistant. The rising use of multiple-dose injection therapies will surge the demand for pre-fillable syringes during the forecast period.

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By Drug Delivery Mode

Additional Protection Offered by the Oral Drug Delivery Drives the Growth of the Oral Drug Delivery Packaging Segment

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 accounted for the largest share of the global market. Pharmaceutical preparations are majorly consumed orally in forms such as tablets, capsules, powders, liquids, and semi-liquids. The flexibility in designing dosage and cost-effective production of oral drug delivery system make them an ideal choice, further fueling the development of oral drug delivery packaging.

Injectable packaging is the second-largest segment in the market, covering a wide range of preparations, from injection solutions to implants. Products such as prefilled syringes or auto-injector pens, vials, and ampoules are used in injectable packaging.

By Packaging Type

Augmenting Demand from Pharmaceutical Products Boosts of Primary Segment Growth

Based on packaging type, the market is classified into primary, secondary, and tertiary.

The primary segment is the most significant packaging type, growing at the highest CAGR in this market. This packaging directly contact the drug, so it must meet all 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.     

The secondary segment is used to group 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, helping to differentiate the drugs.

PHARMACEUTICAL PACKAGING MARKET REGIONAL OUTLOOK

The market has been studied geographically across five main regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

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Increasing Healthcare Spending Drives North American Market Growth

North America holds the highest market share, with the U.S. being the largest contributor. 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.

• According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in 2023, U.S. healthcare spending is estimated to have surpassed USD 4.5 trillion, amounting to approximately 18% of GDP.

Increasing Pharmaceutical Sales Enhances Europe’s Market Growth

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 prefilled syringes have contributed to the growth of this region. Rising pharmaceutical sales in the European region contribute to the market growth.

• According to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Association, in 2021, Europe’s share of world pharmaceutical sales was 23.4%. According to IQVIA, 16.8% of the sales of new medicines launched between 2016-2021 were in Europe, considering the top 5 markets (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and U.K.).

Growing Mergers and Acquisitions Boosts the Market Growth in Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is the third-dominating region, with China, Japan, and India being key contributors. Rising investments, mergers, acquisitions, and expansions of pharmaceutical manufacturing companies in these countries are expected to provide growth opportunities to the market.

• AbbVie’s acquisition of Allergan and Merck’s acquisition of Versum Materials are examples of the consolidation that is taking place to scale production and enhance drug portfolios in the region.

Rising Cardiovascular Disease Encourages Steady Growth in Projected Years

Latin America region will experience steady growth in the projected period. The rising government support toward the pharmaceutical industry, increasing healthcare spending, and rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases boost the demand for pharmaceutical drugs, thus escalating market growth.

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 30% of all deaths in Latin America are attributed to cardiovascular diseases.

Surge in the Geriatric Population in the Region Aids Market Growth

Middle East region will experience significant growth in the projected period. The increasing need for medical implants and in-vitro diagnostic applications will boost the market growth in the Middle East & Africa. The growing geriatric population and chronic diseases fuel the demand for pharmaceuticals, driving pharmaceutical products consumption.

• According to the United Nations Organization, the older population in Africa is expected to grow faster than in other regions of the world. By 2050, it is projected that the number of older adults (60+) in Africa will rise to about 200 million, representing about 9% of the total population.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Market Participants to Witness Significant Growth Opportunities with New Product Launches

The global pharmaceutical packaging market is highly fragmented and competitive, with a few significant players dominating by offering innovative packaging solutions in the packaging industry. Market players constantly focus on expanding their customer base across regions by enhancing and diversifyinig product offerings. The market report also highlights the mergers and acquisitions and expansions by the manufacturers.

Major players in the industry include Amcor Plc, Gerresheimer AG, SCHOTT AG, Westrock, AptarGroup, Inc., Berry Global, Inc., and others. Numerous other companies in the global pharmaceutical packaging market are focused on market trends and delivering advanced packaging solutions.

Some of the 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

• January 2024- SGD Pharma launched the extension of its Clareo range to include 10ml and its Sterinity range of ready-to-use vials in sizes 10ml and 20m. The Clareo range of molded glass vials is available in sizes from 10ml to 200ml. These vials are designed to meet American market specifications and have a GPI 20 neck finish.


• May 2022- Bormioli Pharma, a manufacturer of glass and plastic primary packaging for pharmaceutical use, announced the launch of EcoPositive, a label for its sustainable packaging solutions. It 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 announced the more sustainable High Shield laminate to its pharmaceutical packaging portfolio. These low-carbon, recyclable packaging options meet the high performance requirements of the industry while supporting the recycling initiatives 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.


• April 2021- Amcor launched customer trials for a new mono-material, recyclable polyethylene blister pack, AmSky, which eliminates the use of polyvinyl chloride, making it recyclable.

INVESTMENT ANALYSIS AND OPPORTUNITIES

In August 2024, A new investment announcement in Mexico was composed to boost packaging machinery demand. Several pharmaceutical companies, including Unilever, Abbott, Merck, and more, announced significant investment plans for the Mexican market, signaling a potential rise in packaging machinery demand ahead.

REPORT COVERAGE

The market research report provides a detailed market analysis. The pharmaceutical packaging market overview also focuses on key aspects, such as top key players, competitive landscape, product/service types, market segments, Porter’s five forces analysis, and leading segments of the product. Besides, the report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the abovementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the market intelligence & growth in recent years.

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Report Scope & Segmentation