Pharmaceutical Processing and Packaging Equipment Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Formulation (Oral, Parenteral) Secondary Packaging (Cartoning, Labelling) End-of-line Packaging (Palletizing, Case Packaging) - Global Forecast to 2031

The Pharmaceutical Processing and Packaging Equipment Market is expected to reach $30.8 Billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 5.3% from 2024 to 2031.

Pharmaceutical Processing and Packaging Equipment Market Size & Forecast

The growth of this market is driven by the growth of the pharmaceuticals market due to the increasing burden of chronic and infectious diseases, the growing demand for generic medicines, the rising geriatric population, and the growing demand for biopharmaceuticals; pharmaceutical companies must comply with increasingly stringent regulations, the rising demand for flexible manufacturing, and the increasing outsourcing of manufacturing operations. However, the growing adoption of refurbished equipment may restrain the market’s growth.

Additionally, the expansion of domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing capacities, growing pharmaceutical R&D expenditures, and the rising adoption of personalized medicines and self-medication are expected to create market growth opportunities. On the other hand, changing industry needs resulting from the continually evolving pharmaceutical field pose a hindrance to the market's growth.

Pharmaceutical Processing and Packaging Equipment Market Growth Drivers

Growing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases

The global prevalence of chronic diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and heart disease is rising. In 2021, approximately 41 million people had chronic diseases, accounting for approximately 71% of all deaths globally. Among these, cardiovascular diseases accounted for around 17.9 million deaths, followed by cancer at 9.3 million, and chronic respiratory diseases at approximately 4.1 million deaths globally (Source: World Health Organization).

In addition, lung cancer cases are estimated to increase to 3.63 million cases in 2030 from 2.21 million in 2020 (Source: GLOBOCAN). The consistent growth in the global geriatric population, coupled with the increase in people leading sedentary lifestyles with poor dietary habits, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use, drives the prevalence of chronic diseases. Thus, the increasing incidence of chronic diseases stimulates pharmaceutical output, promoting the adoption of processing and packaging equipment.

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Growing Demand for Flexible Manufacturing

Recent pharmaceutical trends encourage the development of tailored solutions for small patient populations. Regulatory bodies are encouraging this trend by speeding up drug approvals. Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies' growing emphasis on cost management, combined with uncertain demand for drugs, has created a need for more agile and flexible pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. The introduction of continuous manufacturing and single-use technologies has enabled the creation of adaptable manufacturing facilities, allowing for innovation in pharmaceutical processing and packaging.

Fast-track drug approval programs and the need for operational flexibility among pharmaceutical companies and CMOs further support the adoption of flexible manufacturing processes. Orphan drug development is currently gaining traction due to its incentivization by regulatory authorities, accelerated drug approvals, and the exclusivity of the molecules. Orphan drug developers focus on shortening the clinical development phase, wherein processes involving chemistry, manufacturing, control development, scale-up, validation, tech transfer, and stability testing must be completed rapidly after securing initial regulatory approval. Thus, accelerated orphan drug development programs have increased the demand for flexible manufacturing in the pharmaceutical sector.

Pharmaceutical Processing and Packaging Equipment Market Trends

Smart Packaging

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

In addition, with the introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT), pharmaceutical packaging manufacturers have been able to increase operational efficiency, automate processes, and save on costs.

By 2025, Bormioli Pharma S.p.A. (Italy) anticipates that global sales of IoT products, including packaging solutions, will reach USD 2.5 billion. Moreover, the integration of Augmented Reality (AR) into pharmaceutical packaging offers patients virtual information about their medications. For instance, Körber Pharma Packaging AG (Germany) utilizes AR in its Patient Support App, which provides medication instructions, sends reminders, and tracks adherence. The app also features a virtual tour of the packaging, allowing pharmacists to avoid opening the package for explanations.

Sustainability and Green Initiatives

There is a strong push toward using sustainable materials and reducing the environmental impact of pharmaceutical packaging, including the adoption of post-consumer recycled materials, compostable packaging, and innovations aimed at minimizing waste production throughout the supply chain. The pharmaceutical packaging industry is moving toward PET plastic and other environment-friendly materials to help create a more sustainable future. PET packaging can be recycled and reused. Used PET bottles can be processed into new PET bottles, resetting their lifecycle and contributing to sustainability.

Eco-friendly bioplastics and biodegradable materials like cellulose and paper are examples of sustainable primary packaging materials that minimize waste, conserve resources, and have a minimal impact on the environment. Several pharmaceutical companies around the globe are using biodegradable materials for packaging their products. For instance, Astellas Pharma Inc. (Japan) uses biomass-based plastic derived from sugarcane to package its pills. In March 2022, Astellas Pharma Inc. invented the packaging.

The sustainable packaging sector is expanding due to stringent laws and regulations enforced by governments and regulatory bodies, as well as a shift in consumer preference toward recyclable and environmentally friendly packaging materials. For instance, in accordance with EU Regulation (EU) 2021/2226, pharmaceutical companies are required to place QR codes in their packaging to reduce the need for physical pamphlets or leaflets, contributing to sustainability.

Pharmaceutical Processing and Packaging Equipment Market Opportunities

Expansion of Domestic Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Capacities

Various countries around the world are considering producing pharmaceutical products locally as a key strategy. In addition to enabling high-quality production, this offers economic benefits to the countries where the products are manufactured. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global pharmaceutical supply chain, as the national lockdowns imposed in major pharmaceutical-producing countries such as China restricted the supply of APIs.

Governments and pharmaceutical companies are undertaking initiatives to boost local pharmaceutical manufacturing and increase domestic and foreign investments in the pharmaceutical sector. For instance, the Production-linked Incentive (PLI) scheme by the Government of India is aimed at enhancing pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities in India and increasing production and investments in the pharmaceutical sector. The financial outlay of this scheme is around USD 1,801 million (INR 150,000 million) with a duration of nine years (2020-2021 to 2028-2029). Additionally, in 2022, Novartis AG (Switzerland) invested USD million in Slovenia for the production of biosimilars and generic drugs. Such emerging pharmaceutical manufacturing hotspots and strategies to boost onshore manufacturing are expected to boost the demand for pharmaceutical processing and packaging equipment.

Pharmaceutical Processing and Packaging Equipment Market Analysis: Key Findings

By Type: In 2024, the Processing Equipment Segment to Dominate the Pharmaceutical Processing and Packaging Equipment Market

Based on type, the pharmaceutical processing and packaging equipment market is segmented into processing equipment and packaging equipment. In 2024, the processing equipment segment is expected to account for a major share of 51.8% of the pharmaceutical processing and packaging equipment market. The pharmaceutical processing and primary packaging equipment market is categorized based on different pharmaceutical formulations, namely, oral formulation (bifurcated into oral solid formulation and oral liquid formulation), parenteral formulation, topical formulation, and other formulations. This segment’s large market share can be attributed to the growing adoption of capsule formulations among geriatric and pediatric populations due to their ease of consumption, and technological advancements in the production of ultrafine drug particles, reaching micron and even sub-micron dimensions increase the demand for the processing equipment.

Geographical Analysis

By Geography: In 2024, North America to Dominate the Pharmaceutical Processing and Packaging Equipment Market

In 2024, North America is expected to account for a substantial share of 35.9% of the Pharmaceutical Processing and Packaging Equipment market, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. North America’s significant market share can be attributed to the increased healthcare spending on drugs and initiatives by public organizations to increase domestic manufacturing and R&D on the drugs in the region. Furthermore, the adoption of the expansion plans by the pharma manufacturers to meet future demands of medicines and the increase in the exports of pharmaceuticals are further expected to improve the demand for pharmaceutical processing & packaging equipment in the region.

However, Asia-Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period. The growth of this regional market can be attributed to the burden of chronic diseases. A large population pool and government initiatives to improve the healthcare system in countries are also supporting the growth of the market in the region. These countries also serve as low-cost destinations for pharmaceutical manufacturing, which further supports the growth of this regional market.

Pharmaceutical Processing & Packaging Equipment Market: Key Companies

The report offers a competitive analysis based on an extensive assessment of the leading players’ product portfolios and geographic presence and the key growth strategies adopted by them over the past three to four years. Some of the key players operating in the pharmaceutical processing & packaging equipment market are ACIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Canada), Bausch+Ströbel (Germany), IDEX Corporation (U.S.), JECKSON VISION (India), Kevin Process Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (India), KIKUSUI SEISAKUSHO LTD. (Japan), Körber AG (Germany), KORSCH AG (Germany), Mettler-Toldeo International, Inc. (U.S.), MAQUINARIA INDUSTRIAL DARA, SL (Spain), Marchesini Group S.p.A. (Italy), Optel Group (Canada), OPTIMA packaging group GmbH (Germany), Syntegon Technology GmbH (Germany), Wenzhou Trustar Machinery Technology Co., Ltd (China), SaintyCo (China), ACG (India), ANTARES VISION S.p.A. (Italy), BREVETTI CEA S.P.A. (Italy), Cadmach Machinery Co. Pvt. Ltd (India), CAM Packaging IT (Italy), Coesia S.p.A. (Italy), Fette Compacting (Germany), Freund Corporation (Japan), GEA Group (Germany), Glatt GmbH (Germany), LINXIS GROUP (France), Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH (Germany), I.M.A. INDUSTRIA MACCHINE AUTOMATICHE S.P.A. (Italy), Uhlmann Group Holding Gmbh & Co. KG (Germany), Truking Technology Limited (China), and Tecnomaco Italia SRL (Italy).

Pharmaceutical Processing & Packaging Equipment Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In June 2024, Syntegon Technology GmbH (Germany) launched a Settle Plate Changer (SPC) at Achema 2024 to automate viable monitoring in the aseptic filling process.
• In March 2023, ACIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (U.S.) launched a robotic visual inspection machine for Ready-to-use (RTU) containers. The machine is integrated with advanced camera technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for accurate inspections of particulate matter and cosmetic defects.
• In October 2022, Mettler-Toledo International, Inc. (U.S.) launched the Mettler-Toledo CT33 system, a combined track & trace and check weighing solution. This system integrates Mark & Verify, serialization, and precision weighing capabilities, enhancing compliance, brand protection, quality control, and supply-chain traceability.
• In August 2021, GEA Group (Germany) launched GEA Ariete Homogenizer 3160 and GEA TriplexPanda Lab Homogenizer. The Homogenizer was developed for continuous industrial production and preparation of nanodispersions, nanoparticles, and nanoemulsions.

Pharmaceutical Processing & Packaging Equipment Market Research Summary

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