The global pharmaceutical packaging market was valued at USD 139.37 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% from 2024 to 2030. A key driver of this growth is the substantial expansion of the pharmaceutical sector itself. In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has experienced rapid growth, fueled by continuous advancements in science and technology. This upward trend is expected to persist throughout the forecast period, especially in developing countries such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil, where the healthcare infrastructure and pharmaceutical demand are expanding quickly.

The United States is the largest pharmaceutical market in the world. Several factors contribute to this dominance, including the size of the healthcare system, high per capita income, and substantial investments in drug development within the country. These elements collectively drive the growth of the pharmaceutical sector in the U.S. Additionally, the increasing importance of generic drugs and broader access to better healthcare services are expected to create further growth opportunities for pharmaceutical packaging in the coming years.

A significant piece of legislation, the 21st Century Cures Act, was signed into law in the U.S. on December 13, 2016. This act is designed to expedite the development of medical products, including pharmaceutical drugs, by enhancing the approval process and encouraging innovation in the industry. The implementation of the Cures Act is expected to spur new developments in pharmaceutical products, which will, in turn, drive the demand for pharmaceutical packaging in the U.S. market. These factors collectively indicate a continued growth trajectory for the pharmaceutical packaging industry, especially in key markets such as the U.S.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Pharmaceutical Packaging Market

Regional Insights

North America

North America dominated the pharmaceutical packaging market with a revenue share of 35.9% in 2023. The largest end-use segment in the region was pharma manufacturing, which includes in-house production of pharmaceutical products. The presence of a substantial number of pharmaceutical plastic bottle manufacturers in the U.S., such as AptarGroup Inc., Gerresheimer AG, Amcor Ltd., and Berry Plastics Group, Inc., is expected to have a positive impact on the demand for pharmaceutical plastic bottles over the forecast period. These companies play a critical role in supplying the packaging materials required for pharmaceutical products, further driving market growth.

Asia Pacific

The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR of over 12% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is driven by increasing health awareness among consumers, particularly in developing countries such as China and India, and rising disposable income levels. As a result, the demand for pharmaceuticals is expected to grow, which will in turn boost the need for pharmaceutical packaging solutions. In 2020, China led the Asia Pacific market and is expected to maintain this position due to government initiatives like Healthy China 2020, as well as a growing aging population and expanding contract-manufacturing activities. These factors contribute to the increasing demand for pharmaceutical packaging in the region.

Europe

In Europe, the pharmaceutical packaging market is expected to experience significant growth due to rising research and development (R&D) activities and the continuous introduction of new medicines aimed at improving patient health and quality of life. Companies such as BioNTech SE and CureVac in Europe have made notable achievements, particularly with their successful vaccine development in 2020. These successes have attracted further investments into the biotech industry in countries like Germany, Russia, and the U.K., propelling the growth of pharmaceutical packaging in the region.

The Saudi Arabian pharmaceutical packaging market is one of the major players in the Middle East & Africa region. International pharmaceutical companies are recognizing the potential of the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) market. For example, Sanofi is a leading player in Morocco, and GlaxoSmithKline leads the market in Saudi Arabia. In addition, local pharmaceutical companies such as SPIMACO and Hikma from Jordan and Saudi Arabia are aiming to become regional leaders. These developments are expected to drive the demand for various pharmaceutical packaging materials in the region during the forecast period.

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Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The global pharmaceutical packaging market is highly competitive, with numerous players competing for market share. To strengthen their positions, key players are increasingly focusing on acquisitions, which is intensifying the competition within the market. These companies directly compete with each other to secure contracts from large pharmaceutical manufacturers. As a result, the level of competitive rivalry in the market is high.

To differentiate themselves in this competitive landscape, companies are focusing on offering value-added services to attract more clients. Common processes employed by packaging manufacturers to enhance their offerings include spray painting, ultraviolet (UV) coating, and metallization to color packaging containers. Additionally, packaging companies are incorporating various anti-counterfeit measures, such as barcodes, holograms, sealing tapes, and radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies to ensure product authenticity and security.

Notable developments in the market include:

• In November 2023, Amcor Plc, a leading global provider of packaging solutions, announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NOVA Chemicals Corporate, a producer of sustainable polyethylene. Under the agreement, Amcor will procure mechanically recycled polyethylene resin (rPE) from NOVA Chemicals for use in the production of flexible packaging films. This partnership supports Amcor’s commitment to sustainable packaging by increasing the use of recycled materials, contributing to the circularity of packaging.

• In July 2023, Constantia Flexibles introduced a new pharmaceutical packaging solution called REGULA CIRC, which uses coldform foil. The packaging replaces conventional PVC with a PE sealing layer, resulting in reduced plastic content and a higher proportion of aluminum. This shift not only enhances the sustainability of the packaging but also improves material recovery during the recycling process.

• In April 2023, Südpack launched its PharmaGuard blister, a new polypropylene-based blister packaging. This product is designed to offer an exceptional water vapor barrier and effective resistance to UV light and oxygen, making it suitable for the packaging of sensitive pharmaceutical products that require enhanced protection.

Key Pharmaceutical Packaging Companies:

• Amcor plc

• Becton, Dickinson, and Company

• AptarGroup, Inc.

• Drug Plastics Group

• Gerresheimer AG

• Schott AG

• Owens Illinois, Inc.

• West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

• Berry Global, Inc.

• WestRock Company

• SGD Pharma

• International Paper

• Comar, LLC

• CCL Industries, Inc.

• Vetter Pharma International

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