Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market Research Report Information by Packaging Type (Blister, Clamshell, Skin Packaging, Trays & Lids, Containers, and Others), By Material (Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyethylene (PE), Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), and Others), By Process (Vacuum Forming, Pressure Forming, Plug Assist Forming, Drape Forming, Cavity Forming, and Twin Sheet Forming), By Heat Seal Coating (Water Based, Solvent Based, and Hot Melt Based), and by

Global Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market Overview

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market Size was valued at USD 48,381.7 Million in 2023. The Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging industry is projected to grow from USD 51,139.4 Million in 2024 to USD 92,572.4 Million by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The increasing demand for thermoformed packaging in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and diagnostics. Thermoformed packaging is a highly versatile and cost-effective solution widely used to package various healthcare products, including tablets, capsules, syringes, blood bags, and diagnostic kits. One of the key drivers of this market is the growing need for sterile medical packaging, where thermoformed trays are a preferred choice for packaging sterile medical devices and products.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market Trends

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  Growing Healthcare Industry Creates the Demand for Thermoformed Packaging

  
  

The global healthcare industry is growing rapidly, and this is leading to increased demand for medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Thermoformed packaging is a popular choice for these products because it offers the durability, protection, and customization that they need. Thermoformed packaging has emerged as a crucial component in the rapidly growing healthcare industry. This specialized packaging technique involves heating and shaping a plastic sheet into a desired form using molds, creating custom-made packaging solutions for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare products. Thermoformed packaging offers numerous advantages that make it particularly well-suited for the healthcare sector. Its ability to provide superior protection, durability, and barrier properties ensures the safe transportation and storage of sensitive medical equipment and supplies. Additionally, thermoformed packaging can be designed to meet specific requirements, such as tamper-evident features, child-resistant locks, and customized compartments, enhancing product safety and usability.

Growing Emphasis on Patient Safety

There is a growing emphasis on patient safety within the healthcare industry, with healthcare providers prioritizing measures to ensure the well-being of patients. In this context, thermoformed packaging has become a valuable tool for enhancing safety standards. Thermoformed packaging offers a range of benefits that contribute to preventing contamination and damage to medical devices and pharmaceutical products. One of the key advantages of thermoformed packaging is its ability to provide a protective barrier for healthcare products. Thermoformed packaging can safeguard medical devices and pharmaceuticals from contamination by bacteria, dust, moisture, and other potentially harmful substances by using materials that are resistant to external elements. This protective barrier helps to maintain the integrity and sterility of the products, reducing the risk of infections or adverse reactions when patients use them.

In May 2024, Nelipak Healthcare Packaging, a company seeking to break out in the custom thermoformed packaging market for medical gadgets, also reported diversification of its product portfolio, improving on ecology. The company introduced completely sustainable medical waste-reducing thermoformed trays that were made of 100% recyclable material. The innovation of Nelipak is related to that of many companies in the healthcare sector, which are becoming more sensitive to environmental issues.

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market Segment Insights

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging, Packaging Type Insights

Based on packaging type, the Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market segmentation includes blister, clamshell, skin packaging, trays & lids, containers, and others. The blister segment held the majority thermoformed healthcare packaging market share in 2022 and is expected to grow at a significant growth rate. Blister thermoformed healthcare packaging is a specialized packaging widely used in the healthcare industry to protect and preserve medical products, devices, and pharmaceuticals. It is popular due to its excellent product visibility, tamper-evident properties, and ease of use. One of the primary advantages of blister thermoformed packaging is its ability to provide a clear and transparent view of the enclosed product. This is essential in the healthcare sector as it allows medical professionals to quickly identify the contents without opening the package. Clear visibility also enables patients to easily recognize and verify their medication, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of medication errors.

Figure 1: Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market, by Packaging Type, 2022 & 2030 (USD Million)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Material Insights

The Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market segmentation, based on material, includes Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyethylene (PE), Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), and Others. The Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) segment dominated the Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging market in 2022 and is expected to continue dominating the Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging industry during the forecast period 2023-2030. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used thermoplastic polymer commonly used in producing thermoformed healthcare packaging. Thermoforming is a manufacturing process in which plastic sheets are heated and formed into various shapes using vacuum pressure or mechanical force. PET is chosen for healthcare packaging due to its favorable properties. It is lightweight, transparent, and has excellent barrier properties against moisture, gases, and odors. These properties make PET an ideal material for packaging medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and other healthcare products that require protection from external factors.

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Process Insights

The process segment of the thermoformed healthcare packaging market size includes vacuum forming, pressure forming, plug assist forming, drape forming, cavity forming, and twin sheet forming. The primary packaging segment dominated the Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging market in 2022 and is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period 2023-2030. Vacuum forming is a widely used manufacturing process for producing medical parts and components requiring antimicrobial properties or resistance to contaminants. The versatility and customization capabilities of vacuum forming make it an ideal choice for such applications in the medical industry.

One crucial area where vacuum-formed products are extensively utilized is medical packaging. Packaging materials used in healthcare settings must ensure the sterility and integrity of medical devices, instruments, and pharmaceutical products. Vacuum-formed medical packaging can be designed with antimicrobial properties, incorporating additives or coatings that inhibit the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms. This helps to maintain a clean and hygienic environment for the packaged items, reducing the risk of contamination.

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Heat Seal Coating Insights

The heat seal coating segment of the thermoformed healthcare packaging market size includes water based, solvent based, and hot melt based. The Solvent-based segment dominated the Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging market in 2022 and is expected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period 2023-2030. Solvent-based thermoformed healthcare packaging is a widely used for creating protective and functional packaging solutions in the healthcare industry. Thermoforming is heating a plastic sheet and shaping it into a desired form using a mold. Solvent-based thermoforming involves using solvents to soften the plastic sheet before it is molded. The primary advantage of solvent-based thermoformed healthcare packaging lies in its versatility. It can be utilized to create various packaging designs, including trays, clamshells, and blister packs, commonly used for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and other healthcare products. Customizing the shape and size of the packaging allows for efficient and secure storage, transport, and display of these sensitive items.

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Regional Insights

By region, the thermoformed healthcare packaging market report provides market insights into North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Middle East and Africa. The North America thermoformed healthcare packaging market held the largest market share in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a significant CAGR growth during the forecast period. The dominance of North America in the thermoformed plastic packaging market can be attributed to the region's rapid industrialization and technological advancements in the packaging industry. These factors have contributed to the growth of producers and suppliers of thermoformed plastic, specifically catering to the healthcare sector's needs. This trend is expected to continue driving the regional market. The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified the demand for plastics in the healthcare industry. Medical trays, medicine packaging, and other related products require plastic materials for their production. The pandemic has underscored the importance of reliable and hygienic packaging solutions for medical supplies, leading to an increased reliance on thermoformed plastic.

Europe's demand for thermoformed healthcare packaging has steadily increased in recent years. Thermoforming is a popular manufacturing process used to create plastic packaging solutions specifically designed for the healthcare industry. This type of packaging offers numerous advantages, including superior product protection, easy sterilization, and efficient storage. One of the key drivers behind the growing demand for thermoformed healthcare packaging is the increasing emphasis on safety and hygiene in the healthcare sector. Thermoformed packaging provides a reliable barrier against contaminants, ensuring that medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and other healthcare products remain sterile and uncontaminated throughout their shelf life. This is particularly crucial in healthcare settings were maintaining product integrity and preventing infections are of utmost importance.

Figure 2: Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market Size by Region 2022 & 2030 (USD Million)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

The Asia Pacific region is the third-largest pharmaceutical market globally, following North America and Europe. In this region, the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector presents specific requirements for blister packaging solutions, including insulation from external factors, high levels of protection, cost-effectiveness, and ease of handling. Using blister packaging for drugs has been shown to improve adherence among consumers by enabling them to track their medications and dosing accurately. Additionally, the unit dosage characteristic of blister packs reduces the risk of incorrect dosing. Consequently, the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry holds a significant share of the blister packaging market in Asia, particularly China. China is not only one of the world's largest pharmaceutical markets but also a strategic priority for numerous global players. It is also the leading producer of active pharmaceutical ingredients globally.

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

The market for thermoformed healthcare packaging is characterized by intense competition and a dynamic landscape. Thermoformed packaging plays a crucial role in the healthcare industry, providing various solutions for packaging and protecting medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and other healthcare products. This packaging method uses a vacuum or pressure to heat a plastic sheet and mold it into the desired shape. Several key players dominate the competitive landscape of thermoformed healthcare packaging. These companies have extensive experience, technical expertise, and established manufacturing capabilities, giving them a competitive edge. The following are key players in the thermoformed healthcare packaging market. In addition to these established players, the market also features several smaller companies and niche players that cater to specific segments or offer specialized packaging solutions. These companies often focus on innovative designs, cost-effectiveness, or eco-friendly materials to differentiate themselves in the market. The thermoformed healthcare packaging market is dynamic and competitive. The major players in the market are constantly innovating and expanding their product portfolios to meet the growing demand for thermoformed healthcare packaging solutions. The market is also expected to grow in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for sterile packaging solutions, the growing popularity of unit-dose packaging, and the increasing focus on patient safety and compliance.

Key Companies in the Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market include

• Amcor Plc


• Sonoco Products Company


• Placon Corp


• Dordan Manufaturing Company


• Constantia


• Plastic Ingenuity


• Prent Corporation


• O. Plastics, Inc.


• Brentwood Industries, Inc.


• GY Packaging

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Industry Developments

In August 2024, Amcor, one of the world's leading packaging companies, informed its clients of increased thermoforming activities in the U.S. and European facilities. The expansion is expected to address the demand for healthcare packaging that includes protection for the products and also extends the shelf life of the products. The company has also been concerned with replacing conventional materials with sustainable ones in their packaging solutions in order to reduce plastic without interfering with the products. Amcor’s new facilities will raise the production capacities for gastro care tray’s thermoforming, thermoformed blisters and clamshells.

In July 2024, Tekni-Plex, which also enjoyed a high position in the healthcare packaging market, presented today its new blister packaging thermoformed with advanced high barrier properties specifically for drug products. It is made with barrier materials including high-density polyethylene or aluminum for water and oxygen-sensitive drugs for enhanced moisture stability of the critical drugs. This development has been driven by some pharmaceutical companies who are now looking for more cost-effective solutions for medicines that will be safe maybe after an extended period of time.

In June 2024, Sonoco, an international supplier of consumer and industrial packaging products, purchased Thermoform Engineered Quality (TEQ), thus adding to its present offerings in the healthcare packaging market. The acquisition will enable Sonoco to take advantage of TEQ's capability in providing custom thermoformed packaging solutions for medical devices and diagnostics. This acquisition enhances Sonoco’s competitive advantage in the industry as it gives the company the capacity to offer an all-inclusive package of sterile trays and packaging materials.

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market Segmentation

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market Packaging Type Outlook

• Blister


• Clamshell


• Skin Packaging


• Trays & Lids


• Containers


• Others

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market Material Outlook

• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)


• Polyethylene (PE)


• Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC)


• Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)


• Polypropylene (PP)


• Polystyrene (PS)


• Others

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market Process Outlook

• Vacuum Forming


• Pressure Forming


• Plug Assist Forming


• Drape Forming


• Cavity Forming


• Twin Sheet Forming

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market Heat Seal Coating Outlook

• Water Based


• Solvent Based


• Hot Melt Based

Thermoformed Healthcare Packaging Market Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  • Mexico
  
  
  
  


• South America
  
  
  
  • Brazil
  
  
  • Argentina
  
  
  • Rest of South America
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Russia
  
  
  • Benelux
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • Rest of APAC
  
  
  • Middle East & Africa
  
  
  
  


• Saudi Arabia
  
  
  
  • UAE
  
  
  • Turkey
  
  
  • South Africa
  
  
  • Rest of MEA