Global Pharmaceutical Container Market 2025 – 2034

Reports Description

As per the Pharmaceutical Container Market analysis conducted by the CMI Team, the global pharmaceutical container market is expected to record a CAGR of 6.98% from 2025 to 2034. In 2025, the market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 103.23 Billion. By 2034, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 189.45 Billion.

Pharmaceutical Container Market Overview

Pharmaceutical packaging market is vital for the safe containment and transportation of pharmaceutical medicines. The containers are meant to guard drugs against contamination, degradation, tampering, and stringent regulatory needs and safety measures.

The containers come in many shapes and forms, including bottles, vials, syringes, ampoules, blister packs, and cartons, and in different materials like glass, plastic, and aluminum.Key features of pharmaceutical packaging are tamper-evidence, child-resistance, and a function to preserve the stability of the drug within, which is necessary to preserve its potency.

Market drivers are increasing global demand for pharmaceutical products, developments in drug delivery systems, and increased concerns about patient safety and environmental sustainability. Companies such as Amcor Plc, Ardagh Group S.A., Becton, Dickinson and Company, Berry Global Group, Inc., and Bilcare Limited are leading the way in developing advanced packaging solutions from sustainable materials and smart packaging technologies.

As the pharma sector keeps evolving rapidly, demand for high-performance, safe, and eco-friendly packaging solutions also grows, aiding the pharmaceutical container market to grow globally.

Pharmaceutical Container Market Key Growth Drivers

The Pharmaceutical container market Trends has tremendous growth opportunities due to several reasons:

• Growing Demand for Pharmaceutical Products: Expanding global healthcare requirements, brought about by an ageing population and chronic diseases, are enhancing the demand for pharmaceutical packaging. As the pharmaceutical sector expands, the demand for secure, dependable, and sustainable packaging becomes increasingly imperative to guarantee drug integrity, security, and regulatory compliance. As an example, this January 2024, Berry Global Healthcare is presenting its latest packaging and drug delivery innovations, such as the Pneumohaler inhaler, Risdrop eye drop nozzle, and Berry Digi-Cap with digital patient compliance technology. The company also launches the BerryHaler two-chambered inhaler for combination drugs alongside its combined CDMO offerings. Berry will also be showcasing a sustainability presentation on healthcare packaging circularity, emphasizing its involvement in patient care and the environment.

• Pharmaceutical Container Innovation: Innovation in drug delivery systems requires specialized packaging to ensure effective and safe administration of drugs. This innovation creates room for demand for pharmaceutical packaging to accommodate emerging drug formulations and drug delivery forms. For instance, in December 2024, Ardagh Glass Packaging-Europe joined forces with Hernö Gin to launch a new, bespoke 500 ml glass bottle that is visually appealing and sustainable. The new bottle, which is manufactured in Ardagh’s Limmared plant in Sweden, has an embossed Hernö copper still and weighs 100g less, at 480 g. As the amount of recycled glass is boosted, the bottle saves 31% of carbon emissions, while moving production to Sweden reduces emissions from transport while maintaining both brands’ premium quality and sustainability values.

Pharmaceutical Container Market Key Threats

The Pharmaceutical container market has some primary threats that will influence its profitability and future development. Some of the threats are:

• Uncertain Raw Material Price: Fluctuation in the price of raw materials like glass, plastic, and aluminum may influence manufacturing cost and pharma container price policy. Fluctuation in material prices is a challenge to pharma companies to produce at a reasonable price without compromising packaging solution quality and safety. For instance, in February 2025, Berry Global’s 2025 packaging trends report lists some of the most important industry trends, including the impact of new tariffs and trade agreements that are compelling companies to source locally. Some trends also include focusing more on transparent recycling labeling to help speed up recycling rates, greater incorporation of AI into packaging design, and utilization of RFID technology. The report also documents emerging expansion in new retailing categories, continued packaging innovation, increased merger and acquisition activity levels, and growing emphasis on sustainability that help firms during lean times as well as emerging opportunities.

• Pirated Products: As there is an increasing surge of pirated drug products, the integrity and safety of the pharma container packaging industry are under tremendous threats. Pirated drugs carry grave health consequences such as ineffective treatment, harmful side effects, and death. Therefore, authenticating the authenticity of the packaging solutions is now essential. Pharmaceutical packaging firms are increasingly investing in advanced technologies such as tamper-evident seals, holograms, QR codes, and RFID tags to aid in tracking and verifying the authenticity of products, which protects consumers and maintains trust in the pharmaceutical industry. These technologies are critical in preventing fake products from entering the market and making sure patients are given safe and authentic medicines.

Pharmaceutical Container Market Opportunities

• Sustainable Packaging Solutions: Increasing need for sustainable packaging materials is offering companies a chance to create reusable, biodegradable, and recyclable packaging solutions. Customer values and regulation drivers are encouraging sustainable packaging that is in compliance with the desired values.For example, in January 2025, during Pharmapack 2025 in Paris, Berry Global Healthcare will be highlighting its sustainable packaging innovations, such as the ClariPPil™ jars and bottles for oral solid dose (OSD) products. These easy-to-manufacture polypropylene bottles offer a recyclable answer to colored PET, with as much as 71% lower CO₂ emissions and 84% better moisture barrier protection. Berry will also feature its simplified 10 ml easy-squeeze ophthalmic bottle for precise dosing, as well as its end-to-end CDMO capabilities to accelerate pharmaceutical product development. This indicates Berry’s emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and patient-centric solutions in packaging.

• Biopharmaceutical Packaging: Expansion in biologics, gene therapies, and targeted therapies has created mounting demands for innovative packages capable of ensuring the stability, efficacy, and safety of these new treatments. Compared to traditional drugs, these therapies often require stringent temperature control, light protection, and secure containment to maintain their integrity in distribution and storage. This has opened a niche market opportunity for sophisticated pharmaceutical packaging, such as high-barrier materials, temperature-controlled packs, and custom delivery systems. With the rising market for personalized medicine and biologics, packaging solutions adapted to these very specific requirements are becoming an indispensable requirement for manufacturers and healthcare professionals alike to ensure the successful delivery of new medicines to patients.

Pharmaceutical Container Market Category Wise Insights

By Product Type

• Bottles: Pharmaceutical bottles are rigid packaging containers specifically developed for bottling and storing solid or liquid medicines. Usually made of glass or plastic, these bottles are commonly used in the pharmacy industry to bottle a large range of medicines, for example, syrups, tablets, and suspensions. Their design ensures the secure storage of drugs, free from contamination and environmental factors, and ease of handling by consumers and healthcare professionals. These bottles are typically packed with safe caps or seals to ensure that they won’t leak and maintain the pharmaceutical product’s integrity.

• Vials and ampoules: Vials and ampoules are small, closed containers commonly employed in the storage of pharmaceutical products, especially injectables. Vials are typically made of glass or plastic with rubber stoppers for a tight, airtight seal to keep the integrity of contents intact. Ampoules are glass vials sealed hermetically and require breaking off the neck in order to have access to the drug inside. Each of the containers intends to keep delicate pharmaceutical materials clean from contamination, light, and humidity and provide a controlled and sterile environment to store and administer them, respectively.

• Bags & Pouches: Pharmaceutical pouches and bags are disposable, flexible packaging used to store a wide variety of pharmaceuticals, including intravenous (IV) fluids and medical devices. They are usually made using materials like polyethylene or polypropylene and come in one-time-use formats. For example, in April 2025, Flexible plastic pouches are gaining popularity as an innovative sustainable packaging solution because of their lightweight, low-cost construction and excellent protection features, making them highly suitable for industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, and personal care. Made from recyclable or mono-material packaging structures, they enable a circular economy and low-transportation emissions. With recycling plant complications notwithstanding, innovations in mono-material film and barrier technologies are improving “recycle-readiness” for pouches, and strength, reseal, and shelf life extension give them optimal suitability for e-commerce.

• Prefilled Syringes & Cartridges: Prefilled cartridges and syringes are disposable one-time-use devices pre-filled with a fixed dose of drug, which is meant to be self-injected by the patient or injected by the treating physician. They are usually made of plastic or glass with a needle or a needle-free device to enable easy injection. For example, in March 2024, Schott Pharma invested $0.37 billion in constructing a new plant for the production of prefillable glass and polymer syringes at Wilson in the state of North Carolina. The new cutting-edge plant will boost capacity to produce syringes for injectable medicines, such as biologics and mRNA vaccines, to meet the growing demand in North America. The facility, which will generate more than 400 new jobs, will be equipped with cutting-edge automation and green manufacturing technology, Schott Pharma’s biggest investment in the United States to date, and further demonstration of building out the domestic supply chain and healthcare resiliency.

• Trays: Pharmaceutical trays are level, shallow trays utilized to ship and transport pharmaceutical products such as tablets, capsules, and medical devices. Trays are typically of plastic or aluminum construction, thereby providing strength with convenience of handling. Trays are designed such that products get arranged in systematic order and convenient access while storing, packaging, or shipping. Trays make manufacturing operations within pharmaceutical plants easier by offering convenient and systematic handling devices for the products without compromising their integrity and safety.

• Tubes: Drug tubes are tube packages utilized to contain topical drugs, i.e., creams, ointments, and gels. They are usually fabricated from materials such as plastic or aluminum and will be easily used and dispensed. For example, in October of 2023, Berry Global launched the Slimline, which is a lightweight tube closure that saves greenhouse gases through a material-saving, low-profile design. The closures are available in 35mm and 50mm diameters with gloss or matte finishes and may be constructed from virgin polyethylene, polypropylene, or food-grade post-consumer recycled plastics from Berry’s CleanStream process for easy recycling. Perfect for personal and pharmacy use, the caps feature a wide-open, easy-to-grip finger recess and a functional hinge, providing sustainability through reduced virgin plastic usage without sacrificing performance. Production starts in early 2024.

By Material Type

• Plastics: Plastic packaging materials, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are widely applied in pharmaceutical packaging because they are versatile, strong, and affordable. They are utilized to produce different types of containers, such as bottles, vials, and syringes. For example, in May of 2025, Parcel Health created the Tully Tube, the first-ever paper prescription bottle that is FDA compliant. Manufactured from recyclable and compostable paper with a recycled plastic child-resistant cap, the Tully Tube has a moisture-protecting compostable coating and a part-separation patented design for recycling. Offering 30% reduced carbon emissions from plastic bottles compared to traditional packaging, the Tully Tube is competitively priced and can be customized for pharmacy use. UVA Health is already adopting the innovation, which can drastically stem plastic waste in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Glass: Glass is a widespread and traditional medication packaging material for injectable medicine because it’s inert and free from reaction with the drug, thus providing product stability. Glass packs, including vials and ampoules, are preferred for packaging a range of drugs since they form an effective moisture, air, and other external factor barrier that could affect the efficacy of the drug. Moreover, glass is chemically stable and non-reactive, meaning that the contents are not affected by the container itself, which is of great importance in being able to preserve the safety and integrity of sensitive drugs.

• Metal: Packaging pharmaceuticals that require closure under tight pressure and resistance to light and water uses metal materials such as aluminum. Packagings that contain metals are primarily applied for the packaging of such products as ointments, aerosols, and creams. For instance, in July 2024, the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) issued its first global compendial draft standard, chapter <662>, on metal packaging of pharmaceuticals. Open for public comment until 30 September 2024, this standard defines quality and safety specifications for metal packaging materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, and tinplate. It encompasses tests including burst pressure, particulate matter, surface coating, and chemical analysis to help safeguard packaging integrity and minimize risk of contamination. Primary and secondary packaging, including aerosols, blister packs, and tubes, are covered within the standard, except for some drug delivery parts. Established in partnership with the Chinese Pharmacopeia, this standard provides a worldwide benchmark for metal packaging of pharmaceuticals.

Pharmaceutical Container Market Impact of Latest Tariff Policies

New tariff regulations, especially by the U.S. government, are significantly affecting the global pharma container market. The U.S. government is considering imposing tariffs of 25% on medicine, including packaging material and components, which will be disastrous to supply chains and will cost more to manufacturers. This move is aimed at encouraging domestic production but can make production more expensive for companies like Amcor Plc, Ardagh Group S.A., Becton, Dickinson and Company, Berry Global Group, Inc., and Bilcare Limited, which rely on global sourcing of raw materials and final goods.

Tariffs are likely to increase the cost of manufacturing medicine containers since the firms will pay a premium to use foreign inputs. These extra costs will be passed on to pharmaceutical firms, increasing the cost of medicines and their unaffordability by consumers. The tariffs can shatter well-established supply chains and cause it to lag in obtaining critical packaging inputs, disrupting pharma product deliveries.

To offset these pressures, pharmaceutical container companies are seeking to mitigate the impact of tariffs. This includes seeking alternative sources of supply outside the affected countries, investing in local manufacturing capacity, and collaborating with stakeholders to navigate the shifting trade environment. These realignments require considerable investment of money and time, and their long-term effect on the global pharmaceutical container market is uncertain.

Report Scope

Pharmaceutical Container Market Regional Perspective

The Pharmaceutical container market can be divided across different regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. This is a cursory overview of each region:

• North America: North America has become a focus region in the international pharmaceutical packaging market because of its highly developed healthcare infrastructure, strict regulatory requirements, and growing need for innovative and environmentally friendly packaging materials. Strong patient safety and product integrity concerns in the region’s highly developed pharmaceutical industry, along with growing demands for packaging guaranteeing drug stability, security, and compliance with changing regulations, have driven demand for packaging. While drug makers are still looking to improve drug performance and extend product offerings, packaging solutions increasingly play a vital role in solving issues such as product piracy, tamper-evidence, and the environment.

• Europe: Europe leads the pharmaceutical packaging market due to its highly regulated environment, diversified and strong pharma sector, and increasing focus on innovation and sustainability. It is world-famous for its highest standards of product safety, traceability, and conformity, which is driving the development of better packaging solutions. In addition, the emphasis of Europe on minimizing its environmental footprint has spurred the increase in sustainable material and recyclable packaging solutions. As the pharma industry grows, demand for packaging that offers drug stability support, patient protection, and sustainability continues to remain the driving factor in determining Europe’s future for packaging solutions.

• Asia-Pacific: The Asia-Pacific area is experiencing the growth of the pharmaceutical packaging sector at a very fast pace, primarily due to growing healthcare markets and rising pharmaceutical manufacturing in the major countries of China, India, and Japan. With increasing demand for pharmaceuticals in these countries owing to the needs for growing healthcare and aging populations, demand for innovative packaging solutions that ensure product safety, compliance, and patient convenience has grown. Besides, the region is being developed as a huge manufacturing hub, which not only increases pharmaceutical products’ manufacturing but also generates a demand for packaging that reinforces big-scale manufacturing while maintaining high standards of quality and regulatory control.

• LAMEA: The LAMEA market is becoming an ever-more-important driver of the pharmaceutical packaging market due to rapid developments in healthcare infrastructure and pharmaceutical manufacturing growth. Middle Eastern, Latin American, and African nations are witnessing a surge in healthcare investments, thus driving demand for high-end packaging solutions that are capable of managing the complexities of modern-day pharmaceutical products. With increasing emphasis on regulatory compliance, patient safety, and product purity, the region is embracing new packaging technologies catering to local demands of temperature control, safe delivery, and environmental sustainability. As healthcare services and pharmaceutical manufacturing continue to enhance, the LAMEA packaging market is poised to take a positive growth trajectory.

Pharmaceutical Container Market Key Developments

In recent years, the pharmaceutical container market has experienced several crucial changes as the players in the market strive to grow their geographical footprint and improve their product line and profits by using synergies.

• In December 2024, Novo Holdings completed its $16.5 billion all-cash acquisition of Catalent, Inc., a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). This deal makes Catalent a privately held company, with shareholders receiving $63.50 per share, a 47.5% premium over the previous 60-day average. Catalent’s stock was delisted from the NYSE. Alessandro Maselli will continue as President and CEO. Following the acquisition, Novo Nordisk will purchase three of Catalent’s fill-finish sites in Italy, Indiana, and Belgium. The acquisition is aimed at strengthening Catalent’s position in drug development and supply, enhancing its ability to serve pharmaceutical, biotech, and consumer health clients while creating long-term value for stakeholders.

• In May 2024, Mondi announced a €200 million investment to convert its Duino paper mill in Italy into a cutting-edge facility for producing recycled containerboard, with operations expected to begin in 2025. The upgraded mill will feature the company’s widest recycled paper machine and is projected to produce 420,000 tons of recycled containerboard annually, supporting sustainable packaging solutions. The project will create local jobs, reduce transport emissions, and strengthen Mondi’s supply chain, enabling the company to meet rising demand for eco-friendly packaging across Central Europe, the Mediterranean, and Italy. It also aligns with Mondi’s broader sustainability goals, including developing recyclable alternatives to plastic shrink film.

These important changes facilitated the companies to widen their portfolios, to bolster their competitiveness, and to exploit the possibilities for growth available in the Pharmaceutical container market. This phenomenon is likely to persist since most companies are struggling to outperform their rivals in the market.

Pharmaceutical Container Market Competitive Landscape

The Pharmaceutical container market is highly competitive, with a large number of product providers globally. Some of the key players in the market include:

• Amcor Plc
• Ardagh Group S.A.
• Becton Dickinson and Company
• Berry Global Group Inc.
• Bilcare Limited
• Catalent Inc.
• Clondalkin Group Holdings B.V.
• Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH
• Gerresheimer AG
• Klöckner Pentaplast Group
• Mondi Group
• Nipro Corporation
• Piramal Glass Private Limited
• Schott AG
• Sealed Air Corporation
• Uflex Ltd.
• West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.
• Westrock Company
• Wipak Group
• Harpak Ulma
• Bandall Pharma Packaging Solutions
• Nolato AB (publ)
• Medical Packaging Inc. LLC
• Origin Pharma Packaging
• Others

These firms apply a sequence of strategies to enter the market, including innovations, mergers and acquisitions, as well as collaboration.

The pharmaceutical container market is primarily driven by major industry players such as Amcor Plc, Ardagh Group S.A., Becton, Dickinson and Company, Berry Global Group, Inc., and Bilcare Limited. These major players have a crucial role to play in offering vital packaging solutions that have to meet the stringent requirements of the pharmaceutical sector. Their product safety innovations aim to enhance the safety of products, avoid contamination, and be in regulatory compliance, primarily with a view to sustainable and cost-effective packaging technologies.

These companies invest significantly in R&D to develop packaging solutions for numerous drug products like injectables, oral drugs, and biologics. Their cutting-edge technologies ensure pharmaceutical products’ stability and integrity, especially to resist the growing demand for specialty packages in biologics and biologic-based personal medicines. These market leaders are assisting pharmaceutical drug makers to achieve stringent safety and quality standards in some of the world’s most important markets.

In addition to these international giants, regional players such as Gerresheimer AG, Schott AG, and West Pharmaceutical Services are also contributing heavily. These organizations offer specialized packaging solutions that address distinctive local market requirements, especially in the biopharmaceutical industry. By providing highly customized and localized solutions, they enable the increasing demand for advanced packaging, thereby fueling the overall growth and innovation in the pharmaceutical container market.

The Pharmaceutical Container Market is segmented as follows:

By Product Type

• Bottles
• Vials & Ampoules
• Bags & Pouches
• Prefilled Syringes & Cartridges
• Trays
• Tubes

By Material Type

• Plastics
• Glass
• Metal

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America