Flexible Packaging for Healthcare Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Company Analysis, Regional Insights and Forecast 2021-2030

The global flexible packaging for healthcare market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period 2021 to 2030. Several medical products packaging manufacturers prefer flexible packaging, owing to its high barrier properties and flawless print finish for bags & sacks, tapes, and labels further lifting the growth of the flexible packaging for healthcare market across the globe. The global flexible packaging for healthcare market is estimated to be driven by growing demand of pouches and bags in the pharma & biological industries, which has paved by robust use flexible packaging products.

Flexible Packaging Products Largely Taking Over Rigid Packaging in Healthcare Industry

• The global flexible packaging for healthcare market is largely driven by consumer convenience, and therefore vendors need to focus on consumer friendly designs of packaging solutions, which includes features such as easy-open and re-sealable packaging
• Rigid packaging products that were traditionally preferred in pharmaceutical and food industries are rapidly being replaced by flexible packaging products made of plastics and paper. Preferably plastics, due to their lightweight, flexibility, and durability, are increasingly replacing rigid packaging made of plastics and other non-plastic materials, including glass and metal.
• This is expected to positively impact the growth of the flexible packaging for healthcare market. New advancements in flexible packaging for healthcare have led to the introduction of improved sachets & stick packs designs for convenient healthcare products.
• Plastic flexible packaging products can be made in opaque as well as transparent forms, depending upon merchandising requirements of the product and also occupy less space in storage shipment, which reduces the warehousing and shipments cost. This increases the overall cost efficiency for manufacturers.
• As a result of its properties, flexible packaging products made of plastics allow product manufacturers and brands the ability to increase product appeal through innovative packaging designs

Large Millennial Population Emphasizing on Importance of Labelling in Healthcare Packaging

• Millennial is a generation which guides trends. Brands in the healthcare industry must prepare for millennial behavior and attitude regarding the way they research and consume before making purchase decisions. They like to interact with brands that are open and maintain transparency by addressing environmental and socioeconomic issues. Brands not aligning to these values are likely to be quickly replaced, owing to competition in the market.
• For instance, health-consciousness and desire for healthy lifestyle is driving the nutraceuticals industry. Millennial making purchase decisions are now beyond traditional drivers, that is taste, price or convenience. They are inclined toward brand authenticity, and the perception of how the brand is impacting their life and the world in a positive manner. Interest in clean labels in nutraceutical products; for instance, preference for plant-based protein is driving the market. Thus, it becomes important for manufacturers to label and promote products in the right manner.
• This provides brand owners a lucrative opportunity to adopt new labelling solutions such as app-based labelling solutions, where one can easily find information about the product in detail. This will help the brand create sustainable businesses taking them a long way by enhancing brand value, customer loyalty, and growing market share.

3D Printing and New Stains in Flexible Packaging Films Reduce Waste in Landfills

Similar to plastics, manufacturers in the flexible packaging for healthcare market are increasing efforts to reduce waste. Sustainable innovations involve the introduction of 3D printing. The use of new stains and films is contributing toward the growth of the flexible packaging for healthcare market.

3D printing is being highly publicized in the healthcare landscape for reducing production costs whilst reducing flexible plastic packaging waste. Moreover, small batch production via 3D printing ensures faster route to the market. This increases product uptake and boosts overall market growth. Manufacturers are increasing their production capabilities to develop products using eco-friendly and lightweight materials. New stains in flexible packaging films enable fast degradation of packaging waste in landfills.

Plastics: Hero or Villain in Flexible Packaging for Healthcare?

Lately, plastics are under scrutiny for its various advantages and disadvantages for pharmaceutical applications. Its disadvantages involve poor physical stability after interaction between the formulation and the container. However, plastics are expected to dictate the highest value share among all material types in the flexible packaging for healthcare market.

Resistance to leakage and lightweight attributes of plastics tend to offset its disadvantages. Manufacturers in the flexible packaging for healthcare market are adopting different plastic molding techniques such as injection molding, blow molding, and thermoforming to meet specific requirements of pharmaceutical clients. They are producing flexible tubes, sachets, and blister packs among others to scale revenue streams.

Manufacturers Shift Focus from Material Type to Less Material for Extending Packaging Lifecycle

The flexible packaging for healthcare market is projected to advance at a CAGR of 5.3% during the assessment period. This is evident since manufacturers are innovating in sustainable materials such as compostable starch-based and biodegradable films. They are adopting production strategies such as consolidation to fewer films in order to maximize order quantities. On the other hand, manufacturers are increasing their production capacities in squeezable bottles used to package nasal sprays, ear drops, and eye drops.

Companies in the flexible packaging for healthcare market are increasing efforts to extend the lifecycle of materials by reducing the carbon footprint. Instead of focusing on material type, manufacturers are utilizing less volume of material to extend the lifecycle of flexible packaging options. In order to achieve this, manufacturers are maximizing their warehouse space by lessening their packaging waste. Re-using plastic materials is emerging as a key alternative to minimize plastic waste.

Flexible packaging for healthcare is preferred for the various end usage, including medical supplies, pharma & biological, and medical devices. Flexible packaging for healthcare can offer complete protection from oxygen, moisture, and bacteria making it suitable for pharmaceutical products packaging applications. TMR team segmented the analysis of flexible packaging for healthcare market based on various factors such as material type, product type, and end use across five regions. As per the TMR analysis, increasing incidences of chronic conditions, post COVID-19 scenario, expenditure on healthcare facilities, and rising demand for medicines, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and nutraceuticals are driving the flexible packaging for healthcare market. Furthermore, high preference of clear flexible formats to package medicines and medical products across the globe is expected to boost the sales of flexible packaging for healthcare market.

Growing Consumer Emphasis on Using More Compact Flexible Packaging

Packaging accounts for nearly 2 percent of the cost of purchase of any product. These numbers are high in countries of Europe, wherein Germany alone accounts for more than 48kg per person per annum of packaging consumption. Consumers have become more refined about environmental problems over the past few years; however, and favor lighter weight packing products to prioritize portable packaging and reduce waste.

Consumers across developed markets have shifted to smaller packaging purchase, which is re-sealable and easy to carry. Manufacturers are thus, providing high barrier film material, which eliminates the need for secondary material for packaging a product. In France, Germany, and the U.K., thermoformable films are preferred. This technology enables down-gauging of polymer material by up to 35%, ensuring high-performance barrier protection as compared to traditional films.

Flexible packaging for healthcare, such as films & wraps, sachets, and other products are becoming a common packaging solution in North America, as consumer demand for compact packaging is ramping up. This inclination of both manufactures and consumers toward flexible packaging for healthcare, continuously uplifting the growth of the worldwide demand for flexible packaging for healthcare.

Asia Pacific Emerging as Major Hub for Flexible Packaging for Healthcare Market

Due to expansion of key industries such as pharmaceutical, medical, and others, high demand for flexible packaging for healthcare is expected during the forecast period. India and China, which enjoy leading positions as two of the largest consumers of flexible packaging for healthcare in Asia Pacific, offer plenty of opportunities to vendors from across the world to invest in this lucrative market. This can either be carried out by collaborating with successful local players to expand in the region or through mergers and acquisitions.

It is exciting to note that rising preference for flexible packaging solutions in the region is anticipated to create new market opportunities for global players. Flexible plastics are being increasingly replaced by rigid packaging and other non-plastic materials (including glass and metal), as these are lightweight, flexible, and durable. Over the past few years, highly populated emerging economies, such as India, China, Indonesia, and some ASEAN countries are implementing new technological advancements, owing to the demand for flexible packaging for healthcare.

Intolerance toward Plastic Resulting in Declining Consumption of Plastic Films

Plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose and therefore, is not favored by many countries and organizations. In fact, the European parliament has plans to ban all single-use plastics by the end of 2020. In the last few years, there has been a prominent increase in awareness regarding environmental issues associated with food service disposables, especially those manufactured with plastic material or lined with plastic. In 2016, France became the first country in the world to put a complete ban on disposable plastic cups and plates. A lot of medical waste such as syringes, plastic pouches, and others, has been found in oceans, which is directly affecting the habitat and causing environmental health concerns. According to a new French law, 50% of all disposable tableware must consist of biologically-sourced materials that can be composted at home. This law will be implemented from 2020.

Sudden changes in regulations could lead to a turbulence in the market, which might negatively impact the demand for plastic films. Furthermore, the flexible packaging industry is gradually shifting toward alternative solutions rather than using plastic films. This will ultimately impact the demand for flexible plastic packaging across the globe.

Flexible Packaging for Healthcare Market: Competition Landscape

The global flexible packaging for healthcare market is expected to witness conflicts among key players, as many bulk manufacturers from China and India are trying to grab the pie of market. Flexible packaging for healthcare market includes many well established market participants and numerous other local players, attributing to major revenue creation with the raising demand for pouches, films & wraps, bags & sacks, and other products. Some of the key players operating in the global flexible packaging for healthcare market are Amcor PLC, Sealed Air Corporation, Sonoco Products Company, Becton, Dickinson & Company, Winpak Ltd., Constantia Flexibles Group GmbH, Berry Global Group, Inc., DS Smith Plc, CCL Industries Inc., Coveris Holdings S.A, WestRock Company, Huhtamaki Oyj., Mondi Plc, and Honeywell International, Inc.

The Tier structure is formulated on the basis of segmental revenue and market share of the company. As per Tier structure, Amcor Plc, Mondi Plc, DS Smith PLC, and Berry Global Group, Inc. are the Tier 1 players in the flexible packaging for healthcare Market. These players are focusing on the development of more flexible, versatile, and stable flexible packaging for healthcare solutions. Tier 2 players includes WestRock Company, Huhtamaki Oyj., Sonoco Products Company, Sealed Air Corporation, and Coveris Holdings S.A.

Market Segmentation

By Material Type

• Plastic
  • Polyethylene (PE)
  • Polypropylene (PP)
  • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
  • Polyamide (PA)
  • Ethyl Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH)
  • Bioplastics
  • Other Plastics
• Paper
• Metal
• Others

By Product Type

• Pouches
• Bags & Sacks
• Tubes
• Liners
• Sachets & Stick Packs
• Labels
• Tapes
• Films & Wraps

By End Use

• Pharma & Biological
• Medical Supplies
• Medical Devices

By Region

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa

Scope of the Report

Vision Research Reports (VRR) started a new study on the global flexible packaging for healthcare market, providing forecast for the period of 2021-2030. In the study, growth opportunity for the flexible packaging for healthcare market is witnessed. The report provides valuable insights, which enable readers to make winning business decisions for future growth of their businesses. The report highlights significant factors that are constantly determining the growth of the flexible packaging for healthcare market, untapped opportunities for manufacturers, trends and developments, and other insights across various key segments. Macroeconomic factors that are directly or indirectly affecting market growth are also incorporated in the report.

Key Questions Answered

• What will be the impact of COVID-19 on flexible packaging for healthcare market?
• Which end use will be the most lucrative for flexible packaging for healthcare?
• What will be market size for flexible packaging for healthcare by the end of 2030?
• Which is the most preferred material type for flexible packaging for healthcare in the global market?
• Which region will remain most lucrative for market growth?
• Which are the top five countries of flexible packaging for healthcare market?
• Which product type holds maximum market share in the global flexible packaging for healthcare market?
• Who are major key players in the flexible packaging for healthcare market?

Key indicators associated with the flexible packaging for healthcare market have been calculated thoroughly in the report. The study enumerates vital market dynamics such as key drivers, challenges, and trends, along with opportunities in the global flexible packaging for healthcare market. A comprehensive study on the value chain, which includes component suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and end users have been incorporated in the global market report. Other key aspects laid down in the market include pricing strategy of leading market players and comparative analysis of flexible packaging for healthcare. Furthermore, forecast factors and forecast scenarios of the flexible packaging for healthcare market have been covered in the report to understand future prospects of the market.

A comprehensive evaluation and forecast on the flexible packaging for healthcare market are provided on the basis of material type, product type, end use, and region.

Y-o-Y growth comparison, volume and revenue comparison, and market share comparison of various market segments are provided in the report. The flexible packaging for healthcare market is analyzed at both regional and country levels.

The report delivers an exhaustive assessment on the structure of the flexible packaging for healthcare market, in tandem with a dashboard view of all leading company profiles in the report. Every company’s share analysis on market players have also been presented in the report, apart from the footprint matrix of profiled market players. The report depicts the presence of flexible packaging for healthcare manufacturers by leveraging an intensity map. It also highlights key end users for flexible packaging for healthcare.

Research Methodology

A realistic methodology, along with a holistic approach makes the base for sharp insights, which are provided in the flexible packaging for healthcare market for the study evaluation period. The TMR report comprises of detailed information on growth prospects, along with riveting insights into the forecast assessment of the market.

Extensive primary and secondary researches have been employed to garner keen insights into the forecast study of the flexible packaging for healthcare market. The report has further undergone a cross-validation by in-house professionals to make the flexible packaging for healthcare market report one-of-its-kind, with the highest credibility.