Pharmaceuticals is the largest end-use industry in the blister packaging market. Tablets and capsules are widely sold in pharma blister packaging. The advantages are assurance of product safety and product packaging. Despite its advantages, pharma blister packaging is non-biodegradable and non-recyclable. This has led to environmental concerns regarding its large scale use.

Market Dynamics:-

Increasing demand for pharma blister packaging across the globe is driving pharma blister packaging market growth. This is owing to its advantages over alternatives such as cost-effectiveness, enhanced durability, tamperproof, it improves shelf life, and lower risk of contamination. Pharma blister packaging is a plastic packaging and its function is to protect the packaged material from air, moisture, and contamination from external sources.

However, stringent government regulations on pharma blister packaging is expected to restrain growth of the global market. For instance, the U.S. government has prescribed stringent set of specification under regulation US 21 CFR and USP 34 NF 29 for controlling the quality of packaging material. Therefore these stringent norms are expected to hinder the market growth.

Market Outlook:-

Among technology, thermoforming segment accounted for the significant market share in global pharma blister packaging in 2018. Thermoformed plastics are versatile, lightweight, and aesthetically pleasing. Cold formed plastics have more tensile strength and stiffness. Blister cards are used in the pharmaceuticals industry, and they are manufactured by heat sealing a sheet foil.

Europe was accounted for significant market share in the global pharma blister packaging market in 2017 and expected to increase during forecast period. This owing to new product launches by key players in the European market. For instance, in 2016, Klockner Pentaplast launched Pentapharm LiquiGuard, a new range of pharmaceutical blister films. The new film offers low leachability, high heat stability, odor & flavor retention, and one stage forming & packaging of hot-fill products. The product can be used in wide range of applications such as nutraceuticals, chewables, pharmaceuticals, unit dose liquids, veterinary, and formulations sensitive to flavor or odor loss packaging.

Key Players:-

Players operating in the global pharma blister packaging include Amcor Plc, Wonderpack group, Bilcare Limited, Sonoco Products Company, Honeywell International Inc., ACG Pharmapack Pvt. Ltd., West Rock Company, Constantia Flexibles GmbH, WINPAK LTD, Rohrer Corporation, Accupack, Nichrome Packaging Solutions, Nirmala Industries, etc.

Key Developments:-

In 2017, PCI Pharma Services acquired Millmount Healthcare, a pharmaceutical and healthcare contract packaging services provider. Millmount offers blister packaging, cold chain packaging, and bottling & tube filling services. The acquisition will help PCI Pharma Services to expand its market presence in the pharma blister packaging market.

In 2016, Constantia Flexibles launched 'Blister Eco', a pharmaceutical packaging lidding foil for low barrier products, in the U.S. market. The lidding foil offers superior barrier properties and excellent in-line and off-line printability.

Market Taxonomy:-

On the basis of material type, the global pharma blister packaging market is segmented into:

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Polyethylene (PE)
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Aluminum
Paper & Paper Board
Others (Cyclic Olefin Polymers, etc.)

On the basis of technology, the global pharma blister packaging market is segmented into:

Cold Forming
Thermoforming

On the basis of application, the global pharma blister packaging market is segmented into:

Tablets
Capsules
Drugs
Vials
Ampoules
Others (Syringes, etc.)

On the basis of region, the global pharma blister packaging market is segmented into:

North America
- U.S.
- Canada
Europe
- U.K.
- Germany
- Italy
- France
- Russia
- Spain
- Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- ASEAN
- Australia
- South Korea
- Rest of Asia Pacific
Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Rest of Latin America
Middle East
- GCC
- Israel
- Rest of Middle East
Africa
- North Africa
- Central Africa
- South Africa