BLISTER PACKAGING MARKET ANALYSIS

Blister Packaging Market Size and Trends

The blister packaging market is estimated to be valued at USD 31.83 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 51.78 Bn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% from 2024 to 2031.

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The rising demand for convenient packaging from pharmaceutical as well as food and consumer goods industries is driving the growth of the global blister packaging market. The market is witnessing notable shift towards sustainable blister packages made from materials such as paper, thereby reducing reliance on non-degradable plastics. Moreover, advancements in hot stamping foil technology allows enhanced design flexibility and anti-counterfeiting features in blister packs. This is expected to provide new opportunities for manufacturers to improve customer satisfaction through product security and visual appeal.

Growing demand from pharmaceutical industry

The pharmaceutical industry has grown significantly over the years and is continuing to grow further driven by factors such as rising healthcare expenditure, increasing cases of chronic diseases, and aging population. For instance, according to data published by Invest India in 2022, the pharmaceutical industry in India is expected to reach US$ 65 Bn by 2024 and to US$ 130 Bn by 2030. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are focused on improving patient compliance and convenience of drug consumption through innovative packaging solutions. Blister packaging has emerged as one of the most popular ways of packaging tablets and capsules globally due to its benefits such as unit dose packaging, tamper evidence, improved product protection, and consumer appeal. It allows the packaging of single or multiple doses together in sealed cavities or pockets which makes it an ideal format for self-administration of medicines. The appeal amongst consumers has further grown due to ease of use of blister packaging compared to other packaging types such as bottles. With the rising demand for medicines and increasing focus of pharmaceutical industry players towards compliance packaging, the demand for blister packs from this end use segment is expected to surge over the coming years.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

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Manufacturers across various end-use industries have been innovating their product packaging in order to enhance consumer convenience. Food and consumer goods companies are incorporating modern packaging designs and formats that add value, protect products better, and offer improved user experience. Blister packaging with its ready-to-use single dose feature has emerged as one of the most popular packaging solution amongst various products. Its applicability has expanded beyond pharmaceuticals to cover other applications including consumer health products, small electronics, food items such as snacks and confectionaries. Consumers find blister packs appealing as it keeps individual units of product intact until use and allows easy identification and consumption. Various innovative packaging designs and formats are being designed under blister packs to meet specific needs of products. For example, peelable lidding blister packs are gaining popularity in the food industry. Thus, the growing demand for advanced convenience packaging will continue to propel the growth of blister packaging market in coming years.

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Market Challenges: Fluctuations in raw material costs

The blister packaging market faces certain challenges. Raw material costs are volatile and increasing frequently. Additionally, manufacturers face pressures to reduce packaging costs while improving user convenience features. Regulatory compliance for pharmaceutical packaging grows more stringent each year. Environmental concerns are rising over non-biodegradable plastic materials commonly used. Manufacturers must overcome these resource and operational hurdles to produce profitable, compliant products.

 Market Opportunities: Growth sectors like pharmaceuticals and consumer goods

Growth sectors like pharmaceuticals and consumer goods rely heavily on the tamper evidence and extended shelf life these packages provide. As populations age, demand will increase for convenient, individually packaged single-dose products. Developing economies seek more accessible healthcare, augmenting necessity for effective drug delivery and storage options. Advancements in material science may yield lower-cost, eco-friendlier alternatives to traditional plastics.

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 Blister cards contribute 37.1% share in terms of product type in the blister packaging market owing to their ability to provide superior protection to products along with easy handling for consumers. Blister cards are rigid, child-resistant plastic packages that are thermoformed around a product or product components. The rigid blister portion protects products from damage during storage and transportation while the paper backing provides stability and easy opening. For medications, healthcare products and small electronics, blister cards form an effective barrier against moisture, oxygen, and other external contaminants to increase product shelf life. Their individual cavities also prevent friction and breakage that loose items may experience during shipping.

Insights, By Technology: Superior Product Protection and Automation Drive Thermoforming's Dominance 

In terms of technology, thermoforming contributes 41.6% share of the blister packaging market owing to its ability to mold complex shapes for superior product protection along with high automation capabilities. Thermoforming utilizes heat and pressure to form plastic sheets into shaped cavities that closely fit products. Unlike cold forming, it can produce intricate blister forms around irregularly shaped products like pharmaceutical capsules without compromising on product protection. This prevents damage to delicate items during distribution and storage. Thermoforming also minimizes usage of plastic by reducing waste significantly during production process compared to other manufacturing methods. The automation advantages of thermoforming technology also appeal to blister manufacturers. Thermoforming enables high-speed, continuous production of several identical blister packs in an assembly line with minimal human intervention. State-of-the-art thermoforming equipment achieves output of thousands of accurately molded blister packs per hour. Integrating thermoforming with downstream processes like product loading, sealing and printing further optimizes production efficiencies. The automation translates to higher productivity and lower manufacturing costs for blister manufacturers to gain a competitive edge. Consequently, thermoforming has become the preferred technology for high-volume pharmaceutical and consumer goods applications within the industry.

Insights, By Material Type: Outstanding Barrier Properties Drive Plastic's Dominance

In terms of material type, plastic contributes 41.2% share of the blister packaging market owing to its outstanding barrier properties against moisture, gas, and microbes. Plastics like PVC, PVDC, and PET offer excellent stability and ability to withstand distribution environments. They form a protective layer around products to prevent deterioration from external contaminants like humidity during storage for long shelf life. Plastic blister packaging also buffers medicine and food from degradation caused by oxygen and carbon dioxide infiltration.  The impermeable characteristic of materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plays a vital role in increasing products' shelf life. They are effective barriers against gases and moisture responsible for reactions compromising pharmaceutical formulations and food quality. Additionally, plastics do not readily support microbial growth, further enhancing protection for hygroscopic and microbiologically sensitive products.

Regional Insights

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North America has established itself as the dominant market for blister packaging globally with 41.2% of the market share. The region enjoys a strong presence of major pharmaceutical companies focusing on the innovation and development of new drugs. Being a lucrative market for pharmaceutical sales, North American manufacturers are increasingly adopting customized blister packaging formats to make their products stand out on retail shelves. Moreover, the presence of a well-established healthcare infrastructure further boosts the demand for effective drug delivery solutions like blister packs. The stringent regulations regarding product quality and safety also compel pharmaceutical companies to use reliable packaging technologies like blister packaging. One region that has great potential for growth in the blister packaging market is Asia Pacific. Several factors are contributing to the rising prominence of Asia Pacific. To begin with, the burgeoning middle-class population coupled with increasing disposable incomes is translating to higher healthcare expenditures in developing countries like India and China. This expands the customer base for pharmaceutical as well as consumer goods companies actively using blister packaging. Furthermore, Asia Pacific has emerged as the manufacturing hub for several industries including pharmaceutical, FMCG, and medical devices. Blister packaging plays a vital role in the production, distribution and sales of these sectors.

The growth is also facilitated by Asia Pacific's position as an attractive investment destination. International blister packaging manufacturers are setting up production sites or acquiring local players to capitalize on the regional market. Their presence imparts technology transfer and enhances manufacturing prowess. Simultaneously, local blister packaging converters are up skilling themselves to cater to the customized product requirements of multinational clients. Governments of emerging nations are also investing in healthcare infrastructure and establishing quality standards to encourage local packaging industries and foreign investments. With its favorable market attributes and pro-business policies, Asia Pacific shows immense untapped potential for blister packaging companies worldwide in the coming years.

Market Report Scope

Blister Packaging Industry News

• In February 2024, ViiV Healthcare launched a new Dovato blister pack in the U.S.
• In November 2023, Schreiner MediPharm launched a new child-resistant smart blister wallet
• In May 2022, TerraCycle, an innovative recycling company, recognized multinational conglomerate corporation Honeywell’s Aclar barrier film blisters as technically recyclable for Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) -based blisters
• In April 2021, Amcor PLC, a global packaging company, launched the recyclable AmSky blister system for the healthcare packaging. It is aimed to meet the stringent requirements of regulated and specialized pharmaceutical packaging.

*Definition: The blister packaging market includes packaging products used for pharmaceutical as well as small non-pharmaceutical products. Blister packs provide tamper evidence and allow consumers to see the product clearly. They protect products from damage and contamination. This user-friendly and cost-effective packaging solution is commonly used for tablets, capsules, medicines, small electronic items, and is ideal for effective branding and marketing of small products or doses.

Market Segmentation

• Product Type Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Clamshells
  • Trapped Blisters
  • Face Seal Blisters
  • Blister Cards
• Technology Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Thermoforming
  • Cold Forming
•  Material Type Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Plastic
  • Paper & Paperboard
  • Aluminum
•  Application Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Consumer Goods
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Electronics & Semiconductors
  • Others
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East & Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Amcor PLC
  • Blisters Inc.
  • Honeywell International Inc.
  • Blisterpak Inc.
  • VisiPak
  • Sonoco Products Company
  • Powerpak Industries L.L.C.
  • Clearwater Packaging Inc.
  • Constantia Flexibles GmbH
  • Westrock Company
  • Algus Packaging Inc.
  • Abhinav Enterprises
  • Uno Plast
  • Nithiya Enterprises
  • Thermopack
  • VisiPak
  • Sudham Packaging Industries
  • Entek Corporation
  • Grotal
  • Nirmala Industries