Pharmaceutical Contract Packaging Market Size - By Type, By Material, By Form Type, Forecast, 2025 - 2034

Pharmaceutical Contract Packaging Market Size

The global pharmaceutical contract packaging market size was valued at USD 17.1 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at 7.8% CAGR from 2025 to 2034. The demand for pharmaceutical contract packaging solutions is increasing significantly owing to the increase in the number of clinical trials & small-batch packaging along with growing demand for biotechnology and specialty drugs.
 

Increasing demand for small-batch packaging solutions has emerged as one of the major drivers for the market. Companies require agile solutions like flexible packaging due to the rapid rise in demand for customized medicine and treatment of rare diseases. Contract packagers deliver regulatory compliance by providing specific labeling and serialization along with cold chain logistics services for investigational drugs.
 

According to Statista, the sale of biotech drugs was USD 458 bn in 2024 which was a significant increase compared to last 3 years. The growing demand for biotechnology drugs is one of the major factors strengthening the demand for contract packaging within the pharmaceutical industry. Biologics need sophisticated packaging like prefilled syringes, autoinjectors, and temperature-stabilized solutions for preserving the drug integrity. It is also of utmost importance for contract packagers to facilitate compliance and secure transport.
 

Manufacturers can invest in flexible, modular, and rapid-response packaging lines to accommodate small-batch production. This is expected to help them cater increasing demand rising demand for customized medicine, orphan drugs, and investigational therapies. 
 

Pharmaceutical Contract Packaging Market Trends

• Recent trend observed in the market is the surge in the demand for the ready-to-use (RTU) aseptic packaging for streamlined manufacturing processes. RTU packaging formats such as pre-sterilized vials, syringes, and cartridges are becoming more popular as pharmaceutical firms seek to minimize contamination risks while improving operational efficiency. For instance, in October 2024, Nipro PharmaPackaging launched new D2F (Direct-to-Fill) glass vials, powered by Stevanato Group's new EZ-fill technology. The vials are high quality, RTU solution, that meet stringent regulatory standards and improve aseptic processing. This trend reflects the shift in the market towards the use of automation and RTU packaging formats to increase efficiency and satisfy the increasing need for biologics and injectable medications.
   
• Another notable trend is the adoption of smart packaging technology such as RFID tags, NFC-enabled labels, and digital trackers. These technologies provide supply chain visibility, patient compliance improvement, and counterfeiting prevention, making them a crucial focus for contract packaging providers.
   
• This trend is expected to create new opportunities for players as player can invest in development of advanced systems such as RFID tagging and NFC-enabled labels. This development & introduction of new systems is expected to help company attract new customers.
   

Pharmaceutical Contract Packaging Market Analysis

• Primary packaging market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% by 2034. The pharmaceutical contract packaging market is adapting to innovative and sustainable smart primary packaging techniques. There is a growing need for child-resistant blister packs, pre-filled syringes, and auto-injectors. Also, increasing regulations are bolstering the adoption of traceability technologies like RFID tags and serialized barcodes.
   
• Secondary packaging market is anticipated to reach USD 14.3 billion by 2034. Secondary packaging growth is driven by the need for adherence to serialization mandates and patient-centered designs. Tamper-resistant seals and cartonboard made from recycled paper are becoming an industry standard. Digitalization, such as QR code inclusion for verification and patient interaction purposes, is improving transparency and efficiency within pharmaceutical secondary packaging.

On the basis of material, the pharmaceutical contract packaging market is categorized into plastic, glass, paper & paperboard, aluminium, and others.
 

• Plastic market is anticipated to reach USD 10 billion by 2034. Plastics remains the most prevalent material in pharmaceutical packaging because of its durability, affordability, and convenience. Furthermore, increased environmental concerns are driving the use of biodegradable plastics and recycled content. Single-use plastic restrictions are propelling contract packagers to create sustainable, lightweight, and high-barrier plastics.
   
• Paper & paperboard segment held a market share of 24% in 2024. Sustainability initiatives are boosting the use of paper-based packaging materials that are recyclable and biodegradable in the pharmaceutical industry. There is a growing need for eco-friendly folding cartons, sustainable labels, and paperboard with tamper-evident features. Smart paper-based packaging, such as those with NFC-enabled authentication, is becoming more popular to enhance patient safety and compliance.
   

On the basis of form type, the pharmaceutical contract packaging market is categorized into oral, injectable, and others.
 

• Oral segment accounted for 44.8% market share in 2024. To enhance patient adherence, contract packaging for oral pharmaceuticals is shifting to unit dose dispensing, such as blister packs and stick packs. The need for child-resistant and senior-friendly designs is bolstering packaging innovation. In addition, the growth of personalized medicine is propelling the need for smaller customized batch production in oral unit dose packaging.
   
• The injectable market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% by 2034. Prefilled syringes, autoinjectors, and dual-chamber cartridges are popular RTU formats in the injectable segment. The increasing investment in high barrier packaging materials is driven by the biologics and biosimilars market. Moreover, advancements in cold-chain packaging are critical for maintaining the stability of temperature-sensitive injectable drugs.

• In 2024, the U.S. pharmaceutical contract packaging market accounted for USD 5.3 billion. Serialization and track-and-trace technologies are gaining traction in pharmaceutical contract packaging in the United States due to strict regulatory compliance issues arising from the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). In order to comply with full unit-level serialization mandate, contract packagers are digitizing their authentication processes, integrating blockchain technology, and implementing smart labelling automation systems to better safeguard medications against counterfeiting.
   
• The Germany pharmaceutical contract packaging market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period. Germany is prioritizing green packaging and sustainable practice as a result of strict environmental regulations and circular economy programs. Eco-friendly biodegradable materials, recyclable blister packs, and reduced-plastic packaging designs has become a standard among pharmaceutical companies, propelling contract packaging providers to develop innovative, compliant solutions.
   
• The China pharmaceutical contract packaging market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period. Due to the rapid expansion in China’s market for biologics and injectable drugs, there is evident growth in demand for prefilled syringes, temperature-controlled vials, and high-barrier packaging. The increase in investment for biosimilars and other innovative therapies is paving the way for contract packagers to expand their capabilities to comply with the stringent regulatory requirements for biologics.
   
• Japan is anticipated to account for a share of 15.2% of the pharmaceutical contract packaging market in Asia Pacific. The demand for unit-dose and easy-to-open sachets is rising in Japan's market due to the growing elderly population that requires convenience and ease in adherence to medication. Blister packs and sachets that are durable and user-friendly are in high demand as they aid in patient compliance.
   
• India’s pharmaceutical contract packaging market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.3% during the forecast period. India is emerging as a global center for contract packaging services due to its robust generic drug manufacturing base. The country is offering competitively priced and quality solutions such as flexible packaging and bulk pharmaceutical exports. As per IBEF, the Indian pharma industry market size is predicted to reach USD 130 billion by 2030 and USD 450 billion by 2047. This will further increase the need for contract packaging to match the rapid growth of the industry.
   

Pharmaceutical Contract Packaging Market Share

The pharmaceutical contract packaging industry is highly competitive. The top 3 players in the market are Catalent Pharma Solutions, Patheon, and West Pharmaceutical Services accounting for a significant share of over 25% in the market.
 

The landscape of competition in the pharmaceutical contract packaging industry is defined by both international and regional players competing for market share through innovation, quality services, and compliance with industry regulations. Companies are adopting advanced packaging technology, such as smart labeling, tamper-evident, and pre-sterilized packaging, for a competitive advantage. Outsourcing end-to-end packaging processes such as serialization and cold-chain solutions is promoting more strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers.
 

In addition, mergers and acquisitions, enables companies to diversify their geographic and technological reach. Firms are also shifting towards fulfilling regulatory and customers' expectations by using sustainable technology for manufacturing. Other strategies involve efforts to stay competitive through expansion into emerging economies and automation-led transformation that includes data packaging processes.
 

Pharmaceutical Contract Packaging Market Companies

Some of the prominent market participants operating in the pharmaceutical contract packaging industry industry include:

• Adare Pharma Solutions
• Amcor
• Ameripac
• Baxter Biopharma Solutions
• Catalent Pharma Solutions
   

Catalent focuses on advancing drug delivery systems like prefilled syringes and softgel forms to enhance their bioavailability and compliance by patients. Moreover, the company is increasing its capability for injectables by acquisitions and investing in high-speed filling lines to cater to the increasing needs for biologics, gene therapies, and personalized medicines.
 

Patheon's strategy focuses on offering a comprehensive contract manufacturing solution with particular emphasis on flexible and sterile packaging. The company is also expanding its fill-finish operations by integrating digital traceability for serialization compliance, as well as strengthening its packaging capacity globally to assist pharmaceutical companies in regulatory as well as product security compliance.
 

West's approach targets the packaging of injectable drugs, especially high-barrier, low-particle packaging materials for biologics and biosimilars. The company is scaling its production of elastomeric closures and self-injection systems to include RTU packaging, while also working towards increased sustainability in packaging to meet regulatory and environmental standards.
 

Pharmaceutical Contract Packaging Industry News:

• In June 2024, SCHOTT Pharma inaugurated a new plant for the production of prefillable glass syringes in Lukacshaza, Hungary. This plant is intended to satisfy the demand for high-quality prefillable glass syringes that are increasingly preferred for their stable long-term drug storage as well as drug delivery systems safety for patients and healthcare professionals.
   
• In November 2024, Amcor plc and Berry Global Group Inc. made an all stock merger that will create a market leader in consumer and healthcare packaging solutions. The merger will revolutionize the packaging sector by combining the innovative, sustainable, and market coverage of both firms.
   
• In July 2023, Constantia Flexibles introduced REGULA CIRC, a first-to-market sustainable pharmaceutical blister pack. The new coldform foil solution addresses the ultmost sustainability needs by embracing circular economy principles and being compliant with future regulations on green packaging.      
   

The pharmaceutical contract packaging market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Type

• Primary packaging     
  • Bottles & jars
  • Vials
  • Ampoules
  • Blister packs
  • Prefilled syringes
  • Others
• Secondary packaging 
• Tertiary packaging     

Market, By Material

• Plastic
• Glass
• Paper & paperboard
• Aluminium
• Others

Market, By Form Type

• Oral
• Injectable
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America 
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa 
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE