May 2025
The global sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market size was estimated at USD 99.70 billion in 2024 and is predicted to increase from USD 113.88 billion in 2025 to approximately USD 376.82 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 14.22% from 2025 to 2034. Increasing awareness of environmental issues and regulatory pressures is the key factor driving the sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market growth.
AI-based systems can be used to optimize production and management in the sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market. These systems can generate demand forecasts, analyze historical data, and assess storage conditions to predict the type and quantity of packaging needed. This can help reduce overproduction and waste, making packaging production more aligned with actual demand. Additionally, AI can be utilized to monitor and track products during the packaging process and identify any anomalies or defects.
The U.S. sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market size was exhibited at USD 26.92 billion in 2024 and is projected to be worth around USD 103.84 billion by 2034, poised to grow at a CAGR of 14.43% from 2025 to 2034.
North America led the global sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market in 2024. The dominance of the region is due to the rising environmental policies and stringent regulations that enable pharmaceutical companies to adopt more sophisticated pharmaceutical packaging solutions. The U.S. sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market is fueled mainly by rising consumer awareness and the need for sustainable products.
Asia Pacific is expected to show the fastest growth in the sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market over the projected period. This is because of expanding industrialization and economic growth in economies such as China, India, and South Korea. Additionally, Governments in these nations are implementing stringent regulations on plastic utilization and waste management, which is encouraging pharmaceutical companies to adopt sustainable packaging alternatives.
Top biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies ranked by revenue in USD billion
Company | Year 2023(Bn USD) |
Johnson & Johnson | 85.16 |
Sinopharm | 84.06 |
Roche | 68.48 |
Merck & Co. | 60.12 |
Pfizer | 58.50 |
AbbVie | 54.32 |
Bayer | 51.72 |
Sanofi | 46.84 |
AstraZeneca | 45.81 |
What Is Driving the Significant Growth of the European Sustainable Pharmaceutical Packaging Market?
The European sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period. The European Union has rolled out a lot, such as the Circular Economy Action Plan or European Green Deal, which requires waste levels to be reduced considerably, and recyclable materials to be used where they are possible. The existence of these regulations has resulted in a very favorable environment for the adoption process of sustainable packaging solutions in the pharmaceutical industry. The business of creating pharmaceutical products is recognizing the need to incorporate the area of sustainability into the core products, packaging applications, and this is fostering innovation and association with green materials suppliers.
In the United Kingdom, the use of sustainable pharmaceutical packaging solutions is being fuelled by regulatory movement. The UK government has achieved significant promissory efforts minimizing plastic waste and carbon emissions in different sectors, such as healthcare. Such policies are forcing pharmaceutical producers to switch to environment-friendly options like compostable blistering, recycled component containers, and plant-based containers.
How Are Sustainability Trends Shaping the Pharmaceutical Packaging Market in the Middle East & Africa?
The Middle East & Africa show a notable growth in the sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market. Because of an increased interest in the environment and changes in the regulatory system. Governments in the region are understanding that they need to curb plastic waste and improve the state of sustainability in the health industry, and so policies that promote environmentally friendly processes. Alongside regulatory trends, the MEA region has witnessed a considerable spurt in investments in healthcare infrastructure, especially in the likes of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar. These countries are also significantly investing in contemporary medical care and inviting global pharmaceutical companies to set foot in the arena. The manufacturers are considering other options such as recyclable blister packaging, paper-based materials, and minimized packaging waste technology.
Sustainable pharmaceutical packaging is the utilization of eco-friendly procedures and materials in the packaging of pharmaceutical products designed to lessen the environmental effects. Sustainable pharmaceutical packaging can also leverage a third-party logistics company for cross-docking, inventory management, and product packaging. The third-party logistics model also provides greater asset use and sharing alliances, which in turn raises demand and can have a positive impact on the sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market. The application of this can include primary and secondary packaging for medications that are made to ensure product integrity and safety.
Major Countries and Stringent Regulations to Revolve Sustainable Pharmaceutical Packaging Practices
U.S. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law
Five states of the U.S, including Maine, Colorado, California, Oregon, and Minnesota have passed the EPR laws in 2021-2024. The states makes about 17% of the U.S. population (56.3 million people), together, and slowly started to move into law implementation the Circular Action Alliance (CAA), the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for four of the five states, submitted a draft EPR program plan in Colorado and received approval from Oregon for their previously submitted and revised program plan, in 2025 for take-back, recycling, and final disposal, encouraging them to design more sustainable products and packaging.
The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) of China
China’s National Medical Products Administration has released appendices to the GMP guidelines for areas including pharmaceutical excipients and packaging materials. The appendices are scheduled to come into effect in 2026. The regulation will impact the use of material in pharmaceutical packaging and encourage the adoption of more sustainable options in China’s packaging expertise.
Report Coverage | Details |
Market Size by 2034 | USD 376.82 Billion |
Market Size in 2025 | USD 113.88 Billion |
Market Size in 2024 | USD 99.70 Billion |
Market Growth Rate from 2025 to 2034 | CAGR of 14.22% |
Largest Market | North America |
Base Year | 2024 |
Forecast Period | 2025 to 2034 |
Segments Covered | Material, Product, Process, and Regions |
Regions Covered | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa |
Expansion of manufacturing facilities
The sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market is witnessing substantial growth due to increasing demand for various pharma products, especially in the context of drug delivery devices and chronic diseases. This trend is mainly propelled by emerging economies, demographic shifts, and healthcare facilities addressing the requirements of populations with financial hurdles. Furthermore, the vendors are growing their production abilities with investments in new factories such as Schott AG's facility in China, etc.
In June 2024, Evertis launched the Evercare brand for the healthcare packaging market, which was designed to provide superior performance and support regulatory compliance to the healthcare market. Evercare sits in a vertically integrated group that delivers a value proposition to healthcare customers in terms of innovation, sustainability, and supply chain security.
Limited availability of suitable materials
Sustainable, high-quality materials that fulfill the pharmaceutical demand and standards are not available readily. This scarcity can lengthen the adoption of sustainable packaging solutions. This is a major obstacle to the sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market. Moreover, sometimes businesses may struggle to get materials that give adequate protection and meet consumer criteria.
Growing adoption of QR codes for packaging
Quick response (QR) codes on packaging can offer better functionality for the sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market. These can reduce the requirement for physical leaflets or pamphlets that would have generally been needed for the pharmaceutical product. This practice is called e-labeling. Additionally, QR codes are becoming more adaptable to the packaging of medical and pharmaceutical devices.
The plastic segment dominated the sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market in 2024. The dominance of the segment can be attributed to the cost-effectiveness, versatility, and ability of plastic to meet strict regulations while providing eco-friendly alternatives. Additionally, the lightweight nature of plastic packaging can further contribute to its popularity in sustainable pharmaceutical packaging enabling it to dominate the market over the forecast period.
The paper & paperboard segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market during the forecast period. The growth of the segment can be driven by the rising utilization of Paper-based pharmaceutical packaging such as labels, folding cartons, and inserts. Furthermore, these materials are easy to print with important information, offering a practical solution for branding and labeling while maintaining compliance with stringent regulatory standards.
The primary segment led the global sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market. This is due to its key role in ensuring pharmaceutical products' efficacy, safety, and integrity. The primary packaging is the materials that come directly in contact with the medication or drug product. which includes bottles, vials, blister packs, and sachets made from sustainable biodegradable materials.
The secondary segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate in the sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market over the projected period. The growth of the segment can be linked to the rising usage of recycled paperboard, which minimizes the utilization of inks and adhesives and includes designs that lessen material waste. Also, increasing focus on sustainable practices and innovations in outer packaging solutions can further enhance the adoption of Secondary packaging solutions.
The recyclable segment dominated the sustainable pharmaceutical packaging market in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a rapid rate over the studied period. The dominance and growth of the segment can be credited to the increasing environmental concerns and a growing need for more sustainable and environmentally friendly packaging solutions. Moreover, recyclable packaging helps conserve resources and decrease waste by keeping materials in longer circulation, thus contributing to the segment's growth.
By Material
By Product
By Process
By Geography
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