Pharmaceutical Plastic Bottles Market Size By Material Type (HDPE & LDPE, PP, PVC, PET and Others), Bottle Type (Packer Bottles, Solid Containers, Dropper Bottles, Nasal Spray Bottles, Liquid Bottles, Oral Care, and Others), and Region - Market Share, Trend Analysis, Competitive Intelligence, Historical Data, and Forecast 2023 -2030

Market Perspective

The Pharmaceutical Plastic Bottles Market size was worth around USD 11,155 million in 2022 and is anticipated to grow to around USD 14,098 million by 2030 at a CAGR of around 3.01% between 2023 – 2030.

The pharmaceutical plastic bottles market refers to the industry that produces and sells plastic bottles that are specifically designed to store and transport pharmaceutical products safely. These pharmaceutical plastic bottles are made from various types of plastics such as Poly Propylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Low-Density Poly Ethylene (LDPE), and High-Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE). They are designed to meet the strict quality and safety standards required by the pharmaceutical industry, such as stability, sterility, and resistance to breaking or leaking.

The market for pharmaceutical plastic bottles is observed to grow substantially in the forthcoming years due to rising awareness of safety and sustainability in the packaging of these bottles, and prominently due to the growth of the pharmaceutical industry and manufacturing technology. The penetration of e-commerce services and portals is another factor driving production due to increasing demand.

North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific are among the prominent regions that are attributing to the growth of the market in terms of R&D and increase in manufacturing capabilities owing to the penetration of advanced technology and the presence of established players.

Key Insights

• Based on the Material Type, the HDPE/LDPE segment held the dominating position with a market value of USD 3,654 million in 2022.
• Based on Bottle Type, the packer bottles segment is expected to generate the largest share over the forecast period
• On the basis of region, North America accounted largest market share of 38.7% in 2022

Increasing Investments in Research and Development to Drive Market Growth

The pharmaceutical plastic bottles market has experienced growth, largely driven by advancements in plastic manufacturing technology owing to rising investments in R&D. Developments such as injection molding and blow molding have led to the production of more specialized and advanced plastic bottles for the pharmaceutical industry. For instance, there is a growing demand for plastic bottles with heat-resistant and UV-resistant properties that can maintain the integrity and safety of pharmaceutical products during storage and transport. Such bottles help protect against product contamination and maximize shelf life. In addition, these advancements have led to the production of more complex bottle structures with intricate designs, which allow for improved ease of use and product dispensing.

Implementation of Strict Regulations Could Pose a Challenge to Market

Stringent regulations imposed by regulatory agencies, such as the EMA, are affecting the pharmaceutical plastic bottle market by setting high standards for the quality and safety of plastic packaging used in pharmaceuticals. These regulations are designed to minimize the risk of contamination and ensure that the packaging material does not negatively impact the drug's efficacy or stability.

These requirements increase production costs and limit the use of certain types of plastic, leading to a shift toward the adoption of alternative packaging materials. As a result, manufacturers need to dedicate resources to research and development to comply with these regulations, meet the market's changing demands, and remain competitive. The inclusion of eco-friendly raw materials by regulating organizations is observed to be another factor that could slow market growth.

Recent Development

September 2022 - Aptar Pharma has recently announced its acquisition of Metaphase Design Group, Inc. The acquisition will enable Aptar Pharma to continue to expand its position as a prominent global leader in drug delivery and active material science solutions and services. Metaphase Design Group is recognized for its expertise in applying the science of human factors engineering and ergonomics to product design, which will enhance Aptar Pharma's ability to create innovative and user-friendly pharmaceutical packaging solutions.

Segmentation Analysis

Based on material type, the market is further categorized into high-density and low-density polyethylene (HDPE)/(LDPE), Poly Propylene (PP), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and others. In 2022, HDPE/LDPE category dominated the material type segment, attributing the highest revenue share of 32.7% followed by PP with a revenue share of 28%. HDPE/LDPE is estimated to reach prominent revenue dominant share of USD 4,927 million by 2030 at the highest growth rate amongst other material types.

High-density and low-density polyethylene are commonly used in pharmaceutical plastic bottles due to their versatility, durability, and low cost. These types of plastic meet the stringent regulations imposed by regulatory agencies and do not react chemically with the medicine. HDPE & LDPE has a good moisture barrier that keeps moisture from reaching medicines, which helps in maintaining the drug's stability and efficacy, while also withstanding high temperatures.

Based on bottle type, the market is further categorized into packer bottles, solid containers, dropper bottles, nasal spray bottles, liquid bottles, and oral care. In 2022, packer bottles held the majority of the segment share owing to their design and capacities. Developments in the design and materials utilized in manufacturing the packer bottles would further grow the demand. For instance, the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, which offers improved durability and barrier properties compared to traditional high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic is creating demand for packer bottles. Additionally, there have been developments in the design of these bottles, with features such as child-resistant caps and tamper-proof seals becoming increasingly common today.

North America to Dominate With Advancing Pharmaceutical Industry in The Region.

In 2022, North America dominated the regional share in terms of revenue, accounting for 38.7% of the global total. The region is estimated to reach market revenue of USD 5,100.19 million by 2030 at a significant growth rate during the forecast period. The pharmaceutical plastic bottle market in North America is primarily driven by several factors including the growing demand for pharmaceuticals. Moreover, increasing adoption of plastic bottles over glass bottles due to their lightweight and low cost is observed to be another factor supporting the growth in the region. Advancements in manufacturing technology are offering opportunities for key market manufacturers in North America.

Other factors such as rising healthcare infrastructure, increased investment in research and development activities, and growing adoption of e-commerce platforms are also expected to contribute to the growth of the pharmaceutical plastic bottle market in North America. The U.S. is the leading country in the region attributing to an exponential market share of 78.7% in 2022. Moreover, the U.S. is estimated to observe the fastest growth amongst other countries in the region.

Asia Pacific to Experience Fastest Growth Owing to Increasing Pharmaceutical Expenditure 

Asia Pacific is estimated to reach market revenue of USD 2,558 million by 2023 exhibiting the fastest growth rate of 5.10% throughout the forecast period. Increasing and expanding manufacturing units of key market players in the region owing to low labor and set-up costs are observed to be the prominent factors driving the market in the region. The highest population in the Asia Pacific region is another factor supporting the rise of demand for pharmaceutical products.

For instance, China has dominated the regional share accounting for 44.5% of the regional revenues in 2022, and is anticipated to reach a market value of USD 1,661 million by 2030. India is observed to gain substantial traction in terms of manufacturing pharmaceutical plastic bottles and experience the fastest growth throughout the forecast period. India is estimated to portray a growth rate of 6.09%, which is recorded as the highest growth rate for a country across the globe. Also, encouraging government policies for manufacturers is one of the factors supporting the growth of the market in the country.

Competitive Landscape

• Berry Global Inc.
• AG Poly Packs Private Limited.
• AMCOR PLC
• Container Corporation of Canada
• PDG Plastiques
• AptarGroup, Inc.
• RESILUX NV
• Drug Plastics Group
• Kaufman Container
• Gerresheimer Glass Inc.

The global Pharmaceutical Plastic Bottles market is segmented as follows:

By Material Type

• HDPE/LDPE
• PP
• PVC
• PET
• Others

By Bottle Type

• Packer Bottles
• Solid Containers
• Dropper Bottles
• Nasal Spray Bottles
• Liquid Bottles
• Oral Care
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Nordic countries
    • Denmark
    • Finland
    • Iceland
    • Sweden
    • Norway
  • Benelux Reunion
    • Belgium
    • The Netherlands
    • Luxembourg
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • New Zealand
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Malaysia
    • Singapore
    • Rest of Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Egypt
  • Kuwait
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America