Market Trends of Europe Pharmaceutical Blister Packaging Industry
The Demand for Sustainable Packaging is Increasing
- Blister packaging's convenience, user-friendly features, and segmented compartments elevate the consumer experience and fuel the demand for such solutions. With a heightened emphasis on sustainability and a surging need for eco-friendly packaging, the regional blister packaging market is expected to record substantial growth. Manufacturers proactively embrace sustainable packaging to align with consumer preferences and regulatory mandates.
- This includes using environmentally friendly materials, bio-based plastics, paper, and recyclable alternatives. By adopting sustainable packaging practices, the blister packaging market can align with the growing consumer focus on environmental responsibility. This shift toward sustainable blister packaging demonstrates an opportunity for market growth and contributes to reducing the environmental impact of packaging materials.
- According to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), pharmaceuticals and medical goods account for about 18.4% of total health spending. In high-cost illnesses like cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, medications typically represent less than 20% of the overall disease expenditure. Moreover, medicines play a pivotal role in treatment and can lead to significant cost savings by curbing expenses in other healthcare domains, such as hospitalizations and long-term care.
- In October 2023, Aldi, one of the UK's leading supermarkets, launched a blister pack recycling scheme. In collaboration with TerraCycle, a recycling company, Aldi encouraged customers to recycle empty medicine packets, typically made from plastic and aluminum foil. These recycled resources could be utilized in manufacturing various products, including aluminum-based items like nuts and bolts and plastic products such as waste bins and outdoor furniture. The nationwide trial served as a gauge of customer interest and engagement in this recycling solution.
- According to Bundesverband der Pharmazeutischen Industrie e.V., the pharmaceutical market in member countries of the European Union was predicted to grow by 5.3%. This statistic depicted the growth forecast for European pharmaceutical markets compared to global developments between 2022 and 2027. The market share is rising, propelled by a growing consumer preference for sustainable packaging.
- With an increasing environmental consciousness, consumers are actively seeking products that mirror their values. Sustained consumer engagement is essential for the pharmaceutical sector to embrace mono-material packaging widely. This entails educating consumers and highlighting the environmental advantages that mono-material packaging offers, like enhanced recyclability and minimized waste.
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The United Kingdom is Expected to Witness Growth in the Market
- Blister packaging is growing in the country due to compliance with medical adherence. Increasing strictness related to counterfeit medicines and other products boosts the demand for blister packaging.
- The country has various significant pharmaceutical players operating in the region, such as AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Haleon, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, and Dechra Pharmaceuticals. AstraZeneca took the top position as one of the leading companies in the United Kingdom based on market capitalization.
- According to SwiftPak in October 2023, pharmaceutical packaging is vital when shipping sensitive and tightly regulated products. Not only must it protect the contents from physical damage, but it should also ensure zero alteration of the chemical composition. Standard and custom packaging can be manufactured with various pharmaceutical products to fulfill product demands. Even delicate medicines can be shipped safely, from temperature-controlled solutions to tamper-evident tape and customs labeling.
- The growing emphasis on sustainable solutions is encouraging vendors to increase their investments in developing innovative pharmaceutical packaging solutions. For instance, in February 2024, Boots Company PLC launched a pilot scheme for blister pack recycling in over 100 stores in London and Southeast England. It plans to roll out the scheme to more stores across the UK. Customers near participating stores can drop off their used blister packs for recycling in dedicated collection bins and be rewarded.
- The UK government's proposed revisions to its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme included delaying implementation until 2024 and fees until 2025, the exclusion of glass for England and Northern Ireland's Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), and requiring standardized labeling, including 'do not recycle' on all compostable or biodegradable packaging.
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