Healthcare and Laboratory Label Industry Analysis in the United States

United States Healthcare and Laboratory Label Industry Outlook from 2024 to 2034

The healthcare & laboratory label industry in the United States reached USD 1,056.2 million in 2023. Over the forecast period, healthcare & laboratory label demand in the United States is anticipated to rise at 3.2% CAGR. The industry is predicted to increase from USD 1,081.7 million in 2024 to USD 1,478.2 million in 2034.

Attributes	Key Insights
Base Value (2023)	USD 1,056.2 million
Estimated United States Healthcare and Laboratory Label Industry Size (2024)	USD 1,081.7 million
Projected United States Healthcare and Laboratory Label Revenue (2034)	USD 1,478.2 million
Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034)	3.2%

Key Industry Highlights

• The industry is expected to experience revenue growth due to increased illnesses, hospital admissions, and product launches, highlighting the crucial role of labels in the pharmaceutical & healthcare sectors and enhancing patient safety.
• Medical laboratory labels enhance efficiency and patient safety, reduce errors, manage data, and organize patient records while also tracking medical equipment and assets in the lab.
• Medical device labeling is crucial for patients and caregivers to understand the item's maintenance, function, safety, and disposal concerns.
• Medical device manufacturers are investing heavily in research & development to create novel products, driven by increased competition in the medical industry, necessitating growing investments in technology.
• The United States medical industry is rapidly adopting medical device labeling due to potential international clinical trials and discoveries.
• Medical and laboratory labels are expected to meet adhesive criteria like chemical resistance, ease of dispensing, and clear images due to harsh climatic conditions. The growing demand for superior adhesive labels is set to accelerate industry expansion.

Historical United States Healthcare and Laboratory Label Industry Outlook

The United States healthcare & laboratory label industry recorded a CAGR of 1.3% between 2019 and 2023.

• Labeling technologies have evolved to meet the growing demands of the laboratory and healthcare industries, incorporating advanced materials like synthetic polymers and technologies such as barcoding, RFID, and smart labels for improved tracking & traceability.
• The healthcare sector in the United States is heavily regulated for patient safety and regulatory compliance, with strict guidelines for labeling and packaging. Changes by the FDA, including the adoption of Unique Device Identification (UDI) standards, have impacted historical patterns in the label industry.
• The demand for labels has evolved due to healthcare practices such as personalized treatment and telemedicine services, leading to the industry's response by creating variable and customized data printing features to handle patient-specific information.
• Patient safety concerns about counterfeit medications have influenced healthcare labeling trends in the United States.
• Manufacturers use security measures like holograms, tamper-evident seals, and serialization to deter counterfeiting and ensure product integrity.

Over the forecast period, healthcare & laboratory label demand in the United States is anticipated to rise at 3.2% CAGR.

• The rising demand for anti-counterfeiting and anti-tampering products is the primary driver of healthcare and laboratory labels in the United States.
• Strong labeling solutions with enhanced safety features are being adopted since they prevent the growing threats posed by altered goods, fake medications, and fraud, safeguarding patients and healthcare professionals.
• Healthcare institutions in the United States use tamper-proof and anti-counterfeit labeling solutions to protect brand reputation and combat the fake drug trade. These labels identify pharmaceutical products, medical equipment, lab samples, and patient samples, ensuring proper handling and compliance with regulations.

The United States Healthcare and Laboratory Label Industry Trends

• The healthcare sector's strict restrictions, including FDA standards, are increasing the emphasis on labels adhering to rules to ensure patient safety and accurate tracking of medical devices & medications.
• Barcode labels are widely used in laboratory and hospital settings for inventory management and tracking, with complex systems like 2D barcodes to enhance data accuracy and capacity.
• Environmental concerns are driving a shift toward sustainable label materials and manufacturing techniques in the United States.
• As telemedicine and remote healthcare services gain popularity, labels with QR codes or NFC technology are becoming necessary for remote monitoring and patient participation, enabling access to medication instructions, teleconsultation services, and digital health records.
• Blockchain technology is being explored to improve transparency and traceability in healthcare supply chains, provide unchangeable product provenance records, and prevent fake goods from entering the industry.

United States Healthcare and Laboratory Label Industry Growth Restraints

• Compliance with FDA standards is challenging and time-consuming, leading to increased financial burdens for label manufacturers and hindering their growth.
• Budgetary constraints among healthcare providers and laboratories increase costs, making it challenging for label producers to offer affordable solutions while maintaining compliance and quality standards.
• RFID and smart labels offer advanced tracking and monitoring, but technical challenges like implementation costs, compatibility issues, and privacy concerns are set to hinder their widespread adoption.
• The healthcare and laboratory label sector faces intense competition, leading to price pressure and margin erosion, particularly for small-scale companies needing economies of scale.

Semi-annual Sales Update

The table presents the expected CAGR for the United States healthcare and laboratory label industry over several semi-annual periods spanning from 2023 to 2034. In the first half (H1) of the decade from 2023 to 2033, the field is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 2.7%, followed by a slightly higher growth rate of 3.7% in the second half (H2) of the same decade.

Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2024 to H2 2034, the CAGR is projected to lower slightly to 3.0% in the first half and remain relatively steady at 3.4% in the second half.

Particular	Value CAGR
H1	2.7% (2023 to 2033)
H2	3.7% (2023 to 2033)
H1	3.0% (2024 to 2034)
H2	3.4% (2024 to 2034)

Category-wise Insights

The section below shows the paper segment is set to lead in terms of material type. It is estimated to thrive at a 3.5% CAGR between 2024 and 2034. Based on printing technology, the direct thermal segment is anticipated to hold a dominant share through 2034. It is set to exhibit a CAGR of 2.1% during the forecast period.

Segment	Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034)
Paper (Material Type)	3.5%
Direct Thermal (Printing Technology )	2.1%

Paper Labels Lead in Terms of Material Type in the Industry

• Increasing focus on biodegradable and recyclable labels with industry standards drives the demand for paper healthcare & laboratory labels in the United States.
• Paper labels are cost-effective and suitable for large-volume labeling needs like pharmaceutical bottles, specimen containers, or medical equipment, as they are often cheaper than synthetic or specialty materials.

Direct Thermal Set to be Used for Printing Healthcare and Laboratory Labels

• Direct thermal printing requires ribbons, ink cartridges, and toner, resulting in lower operating costs than other printing methods, such as heat transfer.
• Direct thermal printing is FDA-compliant for use in the healthcare industry, ensuring patient safety and compliance at medical facilities in the United States.
• Direct thermal printing is used in pharmacies and medical facilities to print medication labels, including drug names, dose guidelines, patient names, and expiry dates, to ensure safety and accuracy.
• It is commonly used in laboratories to create labels for sample tracking, which includes barcodes, unique identifiers, and other necessary data.

Competitive Landscape

Manufacturing companies operating in the field of healthcare & laboratory labels are developing innovative solutions catering to specific products or applications. Key players in the industry are expanding their presence & manufacturing capabilities and moving toward adopting and offering sustainable solutions to customers. They are expanding by collaborating with flexible packaging manufacturers to provide innovative labeling solutions.

Recent activities and developments implemented by leading players in the industry

• In July 2023, CCL Industries Inc. acquired privately held Creaprint S.L., which is based in Alicante, Spain.
• In September 2023, Schreiner MediPharm, part of the Schreiner Group, developed a Freeze-Light-Protect syringe label from Schreiner MediPharm.
• In December 2021, GA International acquired state-of-the-art equipment that allowed them to develop an exciting new line of specialty RFID labels that will withstand several harsh environments and conditions.

Key Companies Profiled

• CCL Industries Inc.
• Brady Corporation
• Sato Holdings Corporation
• Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Cardinal Health Inc.
• Computype
• Avantor, Inc.
• GA International Inc.
• Shamrock Labels
• Chicago Tag & Label, Inc.
• Caresfield
• United Ad Labels Inc.
• T & L Graphic Systems.
• Typenex® Medical, LLC
• Taylor Corporation
• Leland Company
• Polyfuze Graphics Corporation
• ID Solutions Division, Arch Crown Inc.
• DFI Printing Solutions
• National Custom Labels
• DAKLAPACK GROUP
• TSC Auto ID Technology Co. Ltd. (Diversified Labeling Solutions, Inc. (DLS))

Key Coverage in Industry Report

• Demand Analysis of Healthcare and Laboratory Label in Canada
• In-depth Study on Key Features of Healthcare and Laboratory Labels
• Competition Analysis of Top Healthcare and Laboratory Label Manufacturers
• Adjacent Study on the Label Applicator Industry, Label Printer Industry and Labeling Equipment Industry
• Demand for Healthcare and Laboratory Label in China
• Strategies for Healthcare and Laboratory Label Manufacturers

United States Healthcare and Laboratory Label Industry Segmentation by Category

By Material Type:

• Polyolefin
• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
• Paper
• Others

By Printing Technology:

• Direct Thermal
• Thermal Transfer
• Inkjet Printing
• Laser Printing

By Adhesive:

• Permanent
• Removable

By End-use:

• Hospitals
• Laboratories
• Clinical Trails
• Independent Clinics
• Blood Banks
• Diagnostic Centers
• Veterinary Labs
• Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs)
• Outpatient Surgery Centers

By Sub-region:

• Northeast
• Southwest
• West
• Southeast
• Midwest

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the healthcare & laboratory label industry in the United States?

The industry is set to reach USD 1,081.7 million in 2024.

What is the forecast for the healthcare & laboratory label industry?

Demand in the United States is slated to expand at a 3.2% CAGR through 2034.

What is the outlook for the healthcare & laboratory label industry?

The target industry is set to reach USD 1,478.2 million in 2034.

Which end-use will garner a significant value share by 2024?

The hospital segment is expected to garner a significant value share by 2024.

What was the value of the industry in 2023?

The industry was valued at USD 1,056.2 million in 2023.

What are the labels in laboratory?

Lab labels are made to be used as markings for blood bags, test tubes, and tubules.