With the pharmaceutical packaging market set to be worth $80 billion by 2020, it’s big business. According to the team behind processing and packaging trade exhibition Auspack, there are six big emerging trends to keep an eye on as we move into 2017.
First, plastic bottles use is on the up. With the decline of glass pharmaceutical bottles, plastic bottles are quickly becoming the most popular pharmaceutical container globally and sales are estimated to hit $20.6 billion by 2020.
The second trend to keep an eye on is the continued growth of blister packaging. It is expected to soon become the second best-selling pharmaceutical packaging, thanks to the growing popularity of unit dose formats and built-in track-and-trace technology.
Use of pouches is reducing in the pharmaceutical industry due to their limited use, though they are gaining ground in other markets.
Market research firm Freedonia has predicted that prefillable syringes will become the fastest growing aseptic packaging type, with growth of 11 per cent per year.
Brands will continue to search for the balance between impactful and earth-friendly branding. The market for OTC pharmaceuticals is highly competitive so, for brand owners, packaging has to provide maximum shelf impact and include eco-friendly options to cater for environment-conscious consumers
The final trend expected is a surge in serialisation. With regulation requirements set to get more stringent, pharmaceutical manufacturers are stepping up their serialisation strategies and, for processors wanting to export to overseas markets, it’s never been more important.
Auspack 2017 will take place 7–10 March at Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park. Find out more on the Auspack website.
