---

Market Overview

---

The global medical device packaging market is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 5% from 2022 to 2027, reaching a value of more than $33 billion by 2027 compared to $24 billion in 2021. Medical device packaging plays a crucial role in sterilizing surgical equipment and medical imaging devices to prevent contamination. It provides a protective layer that reduces the risk of infections.

As the demand for high-quality medical devices increases, medical plastic products have become more advanced. These products are essential components of modern healthcare systems and are utilized in a wide range of devices. Plastics are preferred due to their excellent performance, lightweight nature, and cost-effectiveness. From test equipment like vials and beakers to surgical instruments, catheters, and implants, plastics have replaced glass as the preferred packaging material.

Technological advancements in the medical device packaging industry present significant opportunities. Packaging now incorporates advanced features such as sensing, Internet of Things (IoT), and wireless communication. As IoT continues to expand, medical device packaging has transformed into a two-way connected platform that facilitates real-time information sharing, relationship building, and valuable insights. Packaging technologies, including embedded Near-Field Communication (NFC) tags and transmitting printed electronics, connect to the internet, offering limitless possibilities.

The packaging industry considers medical devices a compelling sector. Effective packaging is essential for ensuring the safety and security of medical devices throughout their shelf life. Successful packaging companies establish long-lasting customer relationships by understanding the complexities of the healthcare industry’s supply chain and complying with strict regulatory requirements.

Medical devices encompass a wide range of products, from simple hospital supplies like syringes, catheters, and surgical masks, to complex devices like pacemakers and prostheses, and bulky medical imaging equipment such as CT, MRI, and nuclear imaging platforms. Currently, there are approximately 2 million different types of medical devices worldwide, categorized into over 7,000 generic device groups.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the medical devices market in 2020, with various segments experiencing diverse effects. The rapid spread of the pandemic overwhelmed healthcare systems, leading to the redirection of resources and personnel to address the surge in patients, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). Medical device markets that supplied equipment essential for managing COVID-19, including personal protective equipment, ventilators, and general hospital supplies, witnessed a surge in sales to meet the heightened demand.

In 2018, new regulations were introduced in the medical device industry to establish regulatory identity for medical devices and in-vitro diagnostic devices. The healthcare sector has seen an influx of private players, resulting in the growth of diagnostic centers, specialized facilities, and hospitals. Many of these establishments have achieved accreditation at par with international standards. Medical device manufacturers seeking efficient and reliable packaging solutions are enhancing package seal quality, expanding production capacity, or introducing new product lines, relying on packaging providers to meet their specific requirements. The global demand for medical devices contributes to the growth of the medical device packaging market.

As technology and regulatory challenges intensify, medical device manufacturers (MDMs) recognize the importance of determining the best packaging and sterilization solutions early in the design process. End-users prioritize ease of use, preferring rigid, clear, thermoform tray materials for visual inspection, handling, opening, and dispensing devices during surgery. The increasing prevalence of digital connectivity (IoT) through smart electronic devices requires thorough upfront work in packaging design, validation, and appropriate sterilization methods.

Out of more than 2 million medical devices listed in the Global Universal Device Identification Database (GUDID), 40% are supplied as sterile to patients and other end-users. Material suppliers and device manufacturers (OEMs) must ensure that their products are free from microbial contamination at the required statistical level.

In conclusion, the medical device packaging market is witnessing significant growth and opportunities due to technological advancements, increased demand for medical devices globally, and the need for effective packaging to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. The incorporation of advanced features like sensing, IoT, and wireless communication in packaging offers immense potential. However, challenges in designing and validating packaging solutions in line with evolving technology and regulatory requirements must be addressed by manufacturers.

---

Market Segmentation

---

The market is segmented based on various factors, including product, material, packaging, application, end-user, and geography.

Segmentation by Product Type
Bags & Pouches
Containers
Trays
Boxes
Others

Segmentation by Material Type
Plastic
Paper & Paperboard
Others

Segmentation by Packaging Type
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary

Segmentation by Application
Sterile Packaging
Non-Sterile Packaging

Segmentation by End-User
Medical Device Manufacturers
Contract Manufacturing Organizations

Segmentation by Geography
North America – US, Canada
Europe – Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain
APAC – China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia
Latin America – Brazil, Mexico, Argentina
Middle East & Africa – South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey

The global medical device packaging market can be segmented based on product, material, packaging type, application, end-users, and geography.

Bags and pouches hold a major share in the market due to their availability in various sizes and material combinations. These sterilized bags and pouches can be customized with different films and header materials for bulky applications that require an aseptic presentation. Trays and boxes for medical devices offer high customization options, including lids, peel tops, and unique division systems. These boxes can be pre-loaded with sterilized tools arranged according to their usage sequence. The boxes segment is expected to grow faster than other product categories due to its universal usage feature in packaging all medical devices.

The paper and paperboard segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing market as sterilizable medical paper packaging offers flexibility for various medical devices and testing applications in the healthcare industry.

Plastics play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of healthcare professionals and patients, from medicine packaging to medical equipment packaging. Plastics keep medical devices clean and safe as they do not interact with the device or the drug. This type of packaging also prevents healthcare professionals from being exposed to disease contamination or infections. PVC (vinyl) has been extensively used in the medical field for over 50 years and is essential for patient and healthcare worker safety, particularly in the manufacturing of IV tubing and blood bags.

The primary packaging market is the major revenue contributor, accounting for over 40% of the market share. However, the secondary packaging segment is expected to grow at a faster rate as it plays a vital role in ensuring product stability and storage. Secondary packaging is commonly used to hold individual product units together, making storage and transportation easier and safer. It also serves as a crucial tool for brand promotion, especially when using folding cartons.

Sterile packaging is the dominant and fast-growing segment due to the mandatory requirement of sterile packaging for most medical devices. The sterile packaging segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.02% during the forecast period. Achieving and maintaining sterility is a critical challenge in the medical device packaging market. Packaging plays a crucial role in helping medical device manufacturers achieve and maintain sterility, ensuring optimal results and preventing disease transmission during surgeries.

The medical device manufacturers segment currently holds a major share of over 55%. However, with the increasing outsourcing of medical device manufacturing, the Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs) segment is expected to grow faster in the coming years. Many OEMs and medical device companies outsource manufacturing to CMOs due to their effectiveness and cost efficiency. Outsourcing allows companies to avoid investing in their own production facilities and resources. The increasing demand for reliable and safe medical devices, along with the interest in strategic partnerships, drives the demand for specialized CDMOs.

North America currently dominates the global medical device packaging market, accounting for nearly 40% of the market share. However, the APAC region offers significant growth opportunities for packaging companies due to a shift in medical device manufacturing from North America and Europe to APAC. There is a growing trend of manufacturing hospital supplies like PPE kits and drug-delivery devices in the APAC region.

---

Competitive Landscape

---

The global medical device packaging market exhibits a fragmented competitive landscape, characterized by the presence of numerous global, regional, and local vendors. These market players are actively focused on developing novel and innovative products to cater to the growing demands of end-users. Furthermore, these leading companies adopt aggressive strategies, including new product launches, joint ventures, mergers, partnerships, and acquisitions, to maintain their competitive edge in the market.

The wide range of offerings from these companies includes medical device packaging solutions, sterilization systems, and sterile barrier systems. These solutions encompass customized pouches, window bags, header bags, heat-sealed lidding, flexible and semi-rigid forming films, four-side-seal packaging, and form-fill-seal thermoforming packaging.

Moreover, the services provided by these medical device contract packaging companies encompass engineering and production of medical device packaging, as well as final packaging solutions. Some suppliers even offer secondary packaging equipment and machinery such as top-loading cartons and feeding systems.

Key companies profiled in this report include 3M, Amcor Plc, Avery Dennison Corporation, Constantia Flexibles, DuPont, UFP Technologies, WestRock Company, American Packaging Corporation, Atlas Vac Machine, Ayka Medical Inc, Airnov, Berry Global Inc, Biomerics Corporation, Brentwood Medical, The BoxMaker, Eagle Flexible Packaging, GOEX Corporation, Glenroy, Graphic Packaging International, Klockner Pentaplast, Key Stone Folding Box, Monadnock Paper Mills, OLIVER, PAXXUS, Placon, Prent Corporation, Printpack, Sonoco Healthcare Packaging, SteriPackGroup, Tekni-Plex, Wipak.

---

Recent Industry Developments

---

In October 2021, DuPont unveiled a novel packaging solution designed specifically for biopharmaceutical applications involving bottle closures. This innovative solution is intended to provide effective sealing for plastic containers, bottles, and threaded glass commonly used in biotechnology and biopharmaceutical operations. It caters to various functions such as fluid transfer, media and buffer pooling and storage, and sample collection.

In April 2021, Amcor Plc introduced the AmSky blister system, a recyclable healthcare packaging solution, with the aim of enhancing the sustainability of healthcare packaging. This new system is designed to address the environmental concerns associated with traditional blister packaging by offering a recyclable alternative that aligns with sustainable practices.

In January 2021, Berry Global Healthcare introduced Cyrano, a new lightweight dual-port blow fill seal closure for large volume parenteral applications. This cutting-edge closure, known as Cyrano, stands out for its remarkably lightweight design, being up to 64% lighter than certain competitor products. Its innovative construction offers improved efficiency and convenience for healthcare professionals while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

---

Key Questions Answered

---

What is the projected value of the Medical Device Packaging market by 2027?

The estimated value of the Medical Device Packaging market is expected to reach USD 34.03 billion by 2027.

What is the current worth of the medical device packaging market?

As of 2022, the market is valued at USD 25.67 billion.

What are some key trends mentioned in the Medical Device Packaging market report?

Some of the key trends in the Medical Device Packaging market include advancements in packaging technology, a shift from glass to plastics as packaging material, and the introduction of anti-counterfeit packaging.

What is the growth rate of the Medical Devices Packaging Market?

The Medical Devices Packaging Market is experiencing a growth rate of 5.59%.

Which vendors are considered key players in the market?

Some of the key vendors in the industry include 3M, DuPont, Amcor PLC, and Constantia Flexibles.