Global Pharmaceutical Blister Packaging Market Research Report: Forecast (2023-2028)

Market Definition

Blister pack is a term for various types of pre-formed plastic packaging used for pharmaceuticals, small consumer goods, and foods, having a cavity or pocket made from a formable web, basically a thermoformed plastic. It usually has a backing paperboard or a lidding seal of aluminum-plastic or foil. Packaging is fundamental to the pharmaceutical industry as it assists tamper- & damage-free delivery of medicinal products from pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to patients. Blister packaging keeps therapeutic commodities safe, moisture-free, and protected from external contaminants.

Market Insights & Analysis: Global Pharmaceutical Blister Packaging Market (2023-28)

The Global Pharmaceutical Blister Packaging Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 5.4% during the forecast period, i.e., 2023-28. With several new diseases keep coming every year, the demand for medicines has also augmented alongside, which, in turn, has influenced the adoption of packaging solutions positively. The most adopted methods would be flexible packaging options like blister packaging. In order to attain quick and reliable packing for bulk operations, blister packaging is used as they exhibit tamper-free and leak-proof packaging options. This aspect is likely to drive the market through 2028.

Moreover, substantial funding in healthcare for improved healthcare diagnostics and overall standards, including medicine, has called for more advancements regarding medicine packages. Besides, the growing consumption of drugs worldwide, led by easy access, has again necessitated blister packaging solutions in medicine. It can be attributed to the expanding e-commerce platforms that encourage easy drug access and ensure safe logistics. In addition, leading market players are undergoing self-assessment to develop a robust triple-bottom-line approach for gaining higher profits, streamlining the distribution network, and creating a sustainable product portfolio.

Another prominent factor propelling the market growth is the large influx of investment by the key players in blister packaging based on biodegradable material. However, because of the stringent safety environment laws, sustainable packaging might be challenging for the pharmaceutical industry. Governments worldwide are promoting eco-friendly products while encouraging market players to cut down the non-biodegradable plastics and other environmentally-hazardous materials. This factor is likely to impact the film materials and thermoform options utilized in the pharmaceutical blister packaging. For instance,

• In June 2022, the public information bureau (PIB) requested the states to ban Single-Use Plastics (SUP) under the "Clean and Green" campaign launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, India. Mid-2022 was the target date for eliminating manufacturing products containing SUPs.

Key Trends in the Market

• The Advent of Cost Effective and Eco-Friendly Blister Packages

Citing the hazardous impact of single-use plastics and materials like PVC, PVDC, foil, etc., on the environment, manufacturers are adopting eco-friendly raw materials for blister packages, making a substantial shift towards sustainability. For instance, Bilcare Research Inc., a blister packaging manufacturer, launched ECOmply, which blends PVC film with a special additive to make it biodegradable. In fact, companies are willing to procure eco-friendly blister packaging machines suitable for packaging products from low to high volume production potential. Along similar lines, the leading players are relentlessly investing in R&D activities to develop eco-friendly and cost-effective pharma blister packaging that can withstand mechanical, thermal, and biological stress during the blister-forming process.

Market Segmentation

Based on Technology

• Thermoforming
• Cold Forming

Here, Thermoforming Technology is expected to attain a swift growth pace during the forecast period. This ascension primarily attributes to the comparative upper edge the technology offers over cold forming. The potential benefits include remarkable transparency and ease of customization. Other than this, the thermoforming technology also supports safe transit owing to smaller and tightly defined compartments that downsize the risk of damage. The thermoforming technology has garnered considerable attention from manufacturers in the past few years because of the high volume manufacturing capability paired with reliability, hygiene, and consistency. Further, the associated low-cost, effective administration and convenience have again paved the way for more adoption of thermoforming techniques.

Regional Projection

Geographically, the Global Pharmaceutical Blister Packaging Market expands across:

• North America
• South America
• Europe
• The Middle East & Africa
• Asia-Pacific

Among all regions, North America is anticipated to exhibit enormous growth potential in the Global Pharmaceutical Blister Packaging Market during the forecast period. It ascribes predominantly to the expansive incorporation of blister packs for packaging OTC drugs or sometimes samples of drug products. In recent years, consumers have demonstrated a rapid inclination for OTC medicines on a much broader scale. According to Consumer Healthcare Products Association, average U.S. households spend around US$ 338 per year on OTC medicines. Besides, the recent tendency relating to compliance with the prescribed healthcare protocols in the U.S. is expected to observe a positive influence on the market across the region.

Recent Developments in the Global Pharmaceutical Blister Packaging Market

• April 2022: Amcor revealed the customer trials of the world's first recyclable Polyethylene-based thermoform blister packaging, AmSky, marking a breakthrough innovation in blister packaging. The packaging is in line with the highly specialized and regulated pharmaceutical packaging. The design uses a Polyethylene (PE) thermoform blister and lidding film instead of PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride). 

Market Dynamics

Growth Opportunities

• Innovation in Pharmaceutical Blister Packaging Solutions

Integrating the blister packaging with robust technologies might bring a plethora of opportunities for the new entrants seeking to invest and getting benefitted out of this lucrative possibility. As such, Innovation in blister packaging can simplify product tracking on smartphones with real-time reminders regarding patients' medicine intake. It may also lead disabled persons, like the blind identify pharmaceutical drug requirements and details printed on blister packs. Thus, companies may focus on developing pharmaceutical blister packaging solutions with attributes that offer easy access to basic product information.

Key Questions Answered in the Market Research Report:

1. What are the overall statistics or estimates (Overview, Size- By Value, Forecast Numbers, Segmentation, Shares) of the Global Pharmaceutical Blister Packaging Market?
2. What are the region-wise industry size, growth drivers, and challenges?
3. What are the key innovations, opportunities, current & future trends, and regulations in the Global Pharmaceutical Blister Packaging Market?
4. Who are the key competitors, their key strengths & weaknesses, and how do they perform in the Global Pharmaceutical Blister Packaging Market based on the competitive benchmarking matrix?
5. What are the key results derived from surveys conducted during the Global Pharmaceutical Blister Packaging Market study?