The Global Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market Size was valued at USD 8.1 Billion in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 14.5 Billion by 2032 with a CAGR of 6.7% from 2024 to 2032.

Pharmaceutical packaging equipment means a group of machines that is used to safely package the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products to meet the set standards and intentions for circulation in the market. These machines complete different procedures of packaging such as sealing, labeling, case packing, and over-wrapping. Some of the high technologies used in modern pharmaceutical packaging equipment are sealants to ensure proper sealing of the product, labelers to ensure proper identification of the products and hard film over wrappers to ensure the products are protected during transportation.

The equipment is designed with respect to the type of pharmaceutical form, for example, tablets, capsules or liquid products. When it comes to liquid pharmaceutical products, packaging equipment is designed to protect the product from contamination hence maintaining product effectiveness. Also, due to the rising need for further differentiation and accuracy in packaging, the use of automation in the packaging of pharmaceutical products has become more widespread in the packaging lines. This improves efficiency, precision and legal requirements especially for mass production.

Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market Dynamics

The increase in the number of pharmaceutical products being produced globally is a factor that is fuelling the need for high capacity pharmaceutical packaging equipment. When the pharmaceutical companies are investing in production capabilities for their products, there is a growing need to address the packaging demands that accompany increased production. The increased population of elderly people, especially in the developed countries, is a result of the increased incidences of chronic and infectious diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. This results in high usage of packaged medications and hence the pharmaceutical packaging equipment market is expected to expand. Also, advantages of this equipment such as increased level of compliance to regulatory requirements, increased operations efficiency, and decreased labor costs also contribute to the growth of the market.

However, there are certain factors which act as a restraint to the growth of the market. Small manufacturing industries in the developing countries are always facing capital constraints which hinder them from adopting new packaging technologies. Fluctuations in the prices of raw materials and the high regulatory policies from the governments as measures to ban the use of plastics in the market also pose a threat to market growth. Furthermore, the drawbacks of the commonly used packaging materials are that glass is relatively delicate, while plastic has a lower heat tolerance, which complicates the question of product stability.

But there are large opportunities in the market because of the technology and push for sustainability. The current technological advancement in the packaging sector is automation, robotics and smart packaging technologies leading to increased efficiency, minimized errors and improved traceability. However, increasing concern regarding the environmental impact of packaging and the use of recyclable materials is creating new opportunities for packaging equipment manufacturers to introduce new models.

Global Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market Segment Analysis

Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market By Machine Type

·       Labelling Machines

·       Palletizing Machines

·       Cartoning Machines

·       Form, Fill, and Seal Machines

·       Filling Machines

·       Others

The pharmaceutical packaging equipment industry analysis shows that the filling machines segment has the largest market share in 2023. Packaging machines, in particular, filling machines are important in packaging since they have the responsibility of dispensing the different forms of the pharmaceutical products including liquids, powders and tablets into the right containers. The increasing need for liquid medicines, vaccines, and injectable drugs in view of the escalating trend in chronic diseases and the increase in the production of pharmaceuticals has enhanced the use of filling machines. Their reliability, accuracy, and capacity for high throughput rates contribute to their strong position in the pharmaceutical packaging lines and are the reason behind their popularity..

Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market By Formulation Type

·       Liquid Packaging Equipment

·       Solid Packaging Equipment

·       Semisolid Packaging Equipment

·       Others

According to the pharmaceutical packaging equipment industry, the liquid packaging equipment segment collected the largest market share. This dominance is due to increasing use of liquid formulations like injectable products, vaccines and oral liquids used in the management of many diseases. The use of biologics and vaccines has increasingly grown, and especially after the pandemic, hence the need for enhanced liquid packaging. The equipment used in liquid packaging helps to handle the liquids with high accuracy and without contamination, which is important for the safety and effectiveness of liquid pharmaceutical products, which in its turn contributed to the high market position of liquid packaging equipment.

Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market By Automation Type

·       Manual

·       Semi-Automatic

·       Automatic

In terms of automation type segment the automatic automation type is market leader. The increasing need for speed, accuracy and higher throughput in the packaging of pharmaceutical products has led to the use of fully automated packaging equipment. Automatic packaging systems eliminate the need for manual handling, minimize mistakes and increase efficiency and that is why it is preferred in large scale production of pharmaceutical products. Moreover, this automation type increases the chances of meeting the strict regulatory requirements and lowers the cost of labor, which makes it the most dominant type of automation in the market. In the future, it is believed that more and more pharmaceutical companies will continue to invest in various automatic technologies hence the automatic segment is likely to remain the largest in the market.

Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market By End-Use

·       Pharmaceutical Companies

·       Contract Manufacturing Companies

According to the pharmaceutical packaging equipment market forecast, the pharmaceutical companies segment is expected to dominate the industry from 2024 to 2032. With more pharmaceutical companies increasing their production capacities to produce more drugs to meet the growing global demand especially for chronic diseases and newer drugs, there is a correspondingly growing demand for better packaging machinery. These companies are investing a huge amount in modern and automated packaging to improve their efficiency, meet the regulatory requirements, and provide safety to the products. Pharmaceutical firms also respond more quickly to adopt advanced technologies than contract manufacturers, which makes them the largest end-use segment in the market during the period.

Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market Regional Analysis

By the year 2032, the Asia-Pacific region held the largest market share in the global pharmaceutical packaging equipment market in terms of revenue and is expected to grow at a faster CAGR during the forecast period. The drivers for this growth include; increased population, increased expenditure on health, and technological advancement. The rise in prevalence of chronic diseases and contagious diseases in the region and especially in countries like China, India and in South East Asia has increased the requirement for drugs and thus has fuelled the growth of the pharmaceutical packaging equipment market in this region.

In Europe, the fast-growing pharmaceutical sector is the main growth contributor to the packaging equipment market. Proliferation of technologies related to pharmaceutical and launch of new medicines is driving the demand of packaging equipment in the concerned region. It is envisaged that this trend will persist in the forecast period under consideration. Of particular interest in February 2023, Gerresheimer introduced a Clinical Trial Kit that addresses the requirements of vaccines, new drugs, and biologics. It also consists of sterile Gx RTF vials placed in tubs, nests or trays and closures for the region that is known for its inclination towards innovation in packaging and usage of hi-tech packaging solutions.

Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market Leading Companies

The pharmaceutical packaging equipment market players profiled in the report is ACG Worldwide, Accutek Packaging Equipment Companies, Bausch + Ströbel, BREVETTI CEA S.P.A, Coesia, I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A., Korber AG, Marchesini Group, MULTIVAC Group, OPTIMA Packaging Group, Robert Bosch, Romaco Holding, Uhlmann Group, and Vanguard Pharmaceuticals Equipment.

Pharmaceutical Packaging Equipment Market Regions