Blister Packaging Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Product (Clamshell, Trapped) Material (PP, PE, PVC, PET, Paper, Aluminum) Technology (Thermoforming, Cold Forming) Application (Pharma, Medical Device, Food) - Global Forecast to 2031

The Blister Packaging Market was valued at $17.55  billion in 2023. This market is expected to reach $34.11  billion by 2031, from an estimated $19.15  billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

Blister Packaging Market Size & Forecast

The growth of this market is attributed to the growth in the pharmaceutical industry, environmental policies to limit packaging waste, rising demand for OTC drugs, and rising adoption of blister packaging in food, electronics, and consumer goods. Furthermore, the shift from bottles to blister packaging, the rising number of clinical trials, and advancements in blister packaging are expected to offer growth opportunities.

Blister Packaging Market Growth Drivers

Growth in the Pharmaceutical Industry

The pharmaceutical industry has witnessed rapid growth over the years. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (India), the pharmaceutical industry in India is expected to reach USD 130 billion by 2030 from USD 42 billion in 2021. The rising need for novel therapies, increasing pharmaceutical R&D expenditures, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and increasing funding for drug discovery are some of the factors driving the growth of the pharmaceutical industry.

In June 2023, the Commonwealth Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) (Australia) invested USD 9.75 million in establishing MedChem Australia, a new national medicinal chemistry initiative, to accelerate the identification of early-stage drug candidates. Similarly, in July 2022, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) (India) invested USD 6.73 million in R&D activities for drug discovery and development. Increasing funding for drug discovery & development is expected to accelerate the manufacturing of newer medicines, boosting the demand for pharmaceutical blister packaging.

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Growing Demand for Blister Packaging in the Food Industry

The food & beverage industry plays a crucial role in the distribution, production, retailing, and marketing of foods consumed by millions globally. This industry has experienced exponential growth. For instance, the European food & beverage sector generated an annual turnover of USD 1.15 trillion (EUR 1.1 trillion) and USD 242 billion (EUR 230 billion) value added in 2022, making it one of the largest manufacturing industries in Europe (Source: Eurostat).

Food Blister Packaging is an excellent and efficient solution for protecting food products such as cakes, fruits, sushi, vegetables, chocolates, salads, meat, fish, and meals. Blister packs are economical and adhere to required regulatory compliance. Additionally, blister packaging protects food from airborne contaminants and keeps the food fresh and visually appealing. According to Ecobliss Retail Packaging (Netherlands), the most common type of food packaging is a blister pack.

Blister Packaging Market Trends

Smart Blister Packaging

Smart blister packaging refers to the integration of digital technologies into packaging for increased convenience, safety, and efficacy of packaged products. A variety of technologies can be used to develop smart blister packaging, including printed brand security features, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), temperature-indicating inks, Near Field Communication (NFC), printed invisible watermarks, and battery-free Bluetooth.

The main advantage of smart pharmaceutical blister packaging is medication adherence & tracking. According to Information Mediary Corporation (Canada), a smart manufacturing company, non-adherence to prescribed medicines costs an estimated USD 300 billion per year to the U.S. healthcare system. Smart packaging helps improve medication adherence, thus driving the demand for smart pharmaceutical blister packaging.

Sustainable Blister Packaging

Sustainable packaging is the use of reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable materials for packaging. The sustainable blister packaging sector is expanding due to strict laws and regulations enforced by governments of various countries and regulatory bodies. Additionally, a shift in consumer preference toward recyclable and environmentally friendly blister pack materials also propels innovations in sustainable blister packaging. The blister packaging industry is moving toward recyclable PET plastic, paper, and other environment-friendly materials to help create a more sustainable future. PET packaging can be recycled and reused. Some of the recent product launches for sustainable blister packaging are as follows:

• In October 2023, Perlen Packaging (Switzerland) collaborated with ETIMEX Primary Packaging GmbH (Mexico) to develop recyclable polypropylene mono blister packaging to cater to the increasing demand for eco-friendly packaging.
• In April 2023, MAX Solutions, Inc. (U.S.) launched MAX Ecoblister, an environment-friendly alternative to plastic blister packs. MAX Ecoblister combines the paper recyclability of both a fiber top card and a PaperFoam tray.

Blister Packaging Market Opportunity

Shifting Trend from Bottle Packaging to Blister Packaging in Pharmaceutical Industry

The packaging industry is gradually shifting from bottles to blister packs. According to Amcor plc (Switzerland), in Europe, 85% of solid dosage drugs are packaged in blister packaging and 15% in bottles. Integration of adherence monitoring and ongoing R&D efforts for sustainable blister packaging alternatives are contributing to the increasing use of blister packaging compared with bottles.

Blister packaging efficiently mitigates the risk of contamination risk. In bottle packaging, the entire packaged product comes in contact with the environment and user once the seal is opened, thus raising the risk of contamination. The hermetic sealing of blister packs has been proven to prevent exposure to contamination until the time of use and maximize shelf life by preventing moisture ingress. To allow users to more readily track their dosing to maintain compliance with their prescriptions, the pharmaceutical packaging industry is shifting toward blister packaging.

Blister Packaging Market Analysis: Key Findings

By Product: In 2024, the Clamshell Blisters Segment to Dominate the Blister Packaging Market

Based on product, the blister packaging market is segmented into clamshell blisters, trapped blisters, face seal blisters, and blister cards. In 2024, the clamshell blisters segment is expected to account for the largest share of 46% of the blister packaging market. The high adoption of clamshell containers in the food industry for packaging food products and the shifting trend from trapped to clamshell in pharmaceuticals supports the large market share. Clamshell packaging is durable and resistant to damage. The clamshell can extend the shelf life and improve the quality of products. Furthermore, to improve the supply chain integrity in the pharmaceutical industry, manufacturers are shifting to clamshells, as the signs of tampering are easily noticeable.

By Material: In 2024, the Polymer Segment to Dominate the Blister Packaging Market

Based on material, the blister packaging market is segmented into polymer, aluminum, and paper & paperboard. In 2024, the polymer segment is expected to account for the largest share of 43% of the blister packaging market. Polymers play an important role in the packaging of products. The properties of plastic packaging materials, such as controllability, permeability, flexibility, and transparency, make the material an ideal choice for packaging. Additionally, polymers are lightweight in nature which makes the material ideal for transportation by decreasing the shipping cost.

Polymers such as PET, PE, and PP are recyclable; hence, key market players are increasingly using polymers for the manufacturing of blister packaging to maintain compliance with regulatory policy, contributing to the large market share of the segment. For instance, in April 2023, SÜDPACK (Germany) launched a recyclable, mono-polypropylene blister packaging solution for the pharmaceutical, medical goods, and life science industries.

However, the paper & paperboard segment is projected to witness the highest growth rate of 8.6% during the forecast period of 2024–2031. The consumption and production of paper are increasing for packaging applications owing to its properties, such as flexibility in design, sustainability, and barrier properties. Paper packaging is relatively cheaper than other types of packaging materials, making it a cost-effective option. Paper-based laminate composites enhance the storage time of packaged products, making them suitable for packaging that requires a modified atmosphere.

By Technology: In 2024, the Thermoforming Blister Packaging Segment to Dominate the Blister Packaging Market

Based on technology, the blister packaging market is segmented into thermoforming blister packaging and cold forming blister packaging. In 2024, the thermoforming blister packaging segment is expected to account for the largest share of 65% of the blister packaging market. The thermoforming technology majorly uses PVC material to create the blister packs. According to Ascend Packaging Systems LLC (U.S.), the cost of thermoform blister packs is less than the cold form. Thus, the cost-effectiveness of the thermoform technology is contributing to the largest share of the segment.

Additionally, thermoform blister packaging is strong, resilient, and resistant to tampering. It protects the product during transportation and provides a variety of sealing choices, depending on the packaging requirements, thus increasing the product's shelf life.

By Application: In 2024, the Pharmaceutical Industry Segment to Dominate the Blister Packaging Market

Based on application, the blister packaging market is segmented into pharmaceutical, medical devices, food, electronics, consumer goods, and other applications. In 2024, the pharmaceutical industry segment is expected to account for the largest share of 54% of the blister packaging market. The pharmaceutical segment is further segmented into tablets, capsules, and powders. The tablet segment is expected to account for the largest share of the pharmaceutical application. The largest share of the segment is attributed to the higher preference for oral solid drugs. Oral drugs are commonly packaged in blister packaging, which protects the drug from external environmental conditions, prevents contamination, and maintains drug stability. The packaging also provides precise dosing, subsequently increasing overall treatment efficiency.

The rising approval for oral drugs is further contributing to the largest share of the segment. In 2023, the U.S. FDA approved 23 oral drugs, an increase from 14 oral drugs in 2022. Additionally, the advancements in blister packaging, rising R&D expenditure by pharmaceutical companies, and facility expansions for tablets are further supporting the largest share of the segment.

However, the medical devices industry segment is projected to witness the highest growth rate of 9% during the forecast period of 2024–2031. In medical devices blister packaging is majorly used for the packaging of syringes, stents, suture kits, surgical devices, insulin pumps, and others. Blister packs maintain the sterility of devices and reduce the chances of infection to the end user. Additionally, the blister packs protect the medical devices during transportation. The rising prevalence of chronic diseases coupled with growing hospital admissions are driving the growth of blister packaging for medical and surgical devices.

Geographical Analysis

In 2024, Europe is expected to account for the largest share of 37.2% of the blister packaging market. Europe’s significant market share is attributed the supportive initiatives from governments, food industry expansion, the rising market for cosmetics & personal care, companies expanding their manufacturing capacities and operations, and advancements in blister packaging capabilities. According to Amcor plc (Switzerland), in Europe, 85% of solid dosage drugs are packaged in blister packaging and 15% in packaging bottles. Additionally, pharmaceutical production in European countries is increasing, thereby driving the demand for pharmaceutical blister packaging. According to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, pharmaceutical production in Belgium increased to USD 51,231.7 million in 2021 from USD 23,123.9 million in 2020. Similarly, in Switzerland, pharmaceutical production increased to USD 70,781.4 million in 2021 from USD 60,759.5 million in 2020.

Moreover, the market in Asia-Pacific is slated to register the highest growth rate of 9.2% during the forecast period. The countries in Asia-Pacific, including China, India, and South Korea, are projected to offer significant growth opportunities for the vendors in this market. The expansion in the end-use industries such as pharmaceutical, food, consumer goods, and veterinary is driving the demand for blister packaging. For instance, in South Korea, the food market is expected to increase by 9.9% from 2022 to 2026. Similarly, the food processing sector in India is expected to reach USD 470 billion in 2025 from USD 263 BILLION IN 2021. Additionally, the countries in Asia-Pacific have long been recognized as low-cost hubs for pharmaceutical manufacturing, further bolstering market expansion.

Blister Packaging Market: Key Companies

The report offers a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the product offerings and geographic presence of leading market players and the key growth strategies adopted by them over the past few years 2020–2024. The key players operating in the global blister packaging market are Amcor plc (Switzerland), AptarGroup, Inc. (U.S.), Constantia Flexibles (Austria), UFLEX LIMITED (India), Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.), Sonoco Products Company (U.S.), Tekni-Plex, Inc. (U.S.), Ecobliss Pharmaceutical Packaging (Netherlands), Rohrer Corporation (U.S.), Schreiner MediPharm L.P. (Germany), Perlen Packaging (Switzerland), and Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Germany).

Blister Packaging Market Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In February 2024, Catalent, Inc. (U.S.) upgraded a capsule filling of Dry Powders facility for Inhalation and capsule blistering suites in Massachusetts, U.S. The upgrade includes the addition of capacity for both development and commercial spray drying. 

• In January 2024, Tekni-Plex, Inc. (U.S.), in partnership with Alpek Polyester USA, LLC (U.S.), launched a pharmaceutical-grade PET blister film manufactured using post-consumer recycled (PCR) monomers.

• In November 2023, Schreiner MediPharm L.P. (Germany), in partnership with Keystone Folding Box Co (U.S.), introduced a smart blister pack with child-resistant, senior-friendly features. The blister packaging is manufactured using integrated electronics to convert it into a real-time e-diary for capturing dosing history data. 
• In May 2022, AptarGroup, Inc. (U.S.) opened a new manufacturing facility in EMEA. The new facility produces Active Blister for oral slide-dose drugs.

Blister Packaging Market Research Summary:

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