The size of the pharmaceutical secondary packing industry was approximately USD 45.2 billion in 2025 and may grow up to a value of USD 72.8 billion by the year 2035. It may expand its roots through sales in terms of increasing 4.9% on CAGR a period considered is 2025 to 2035.
Pharmaceutical secondary packaging plays an important role in maintaining product integrity, compliance, and branding. The industry shall account for more than 60.3% of the industry share of the pharmaceutical packaging business by 2035. Driven by an increasing demand for serialization, track-and-trace systems, and tamper-evident packs, secondary packaging solutions are progressing to address regulations and industry specifications.
Among packaging forms, folding cartons are likely to lead with over 55% industry share. Folding cartons are highly favored because they are cost-effective, printable for branding, and feature-compliant. Rigid boxes and corrugated cases, on the other hand, are increasingly popular for high-value pharmaceutical products that need additional protection.
The industry for pharmaceutical secondary packaging is set to provide an incremental opportunity of USD 27.6 billion, 1.6 times its current value by 2035.
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The following table provides the anticipated CAGR for the secondary packaging industry of pharmaceuticals over a number of half-decade periods from 2025 to 2035.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 5.1% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 4.7% (2024 to 2034) |
| H1 | 4.5% (2025 to 2035) |
| H2 | 5.3% (2025 to 2035) |
During the first half (H1) of the decade between 2024 and 2034, the industry is anticipated to develop at a CAGR of 5.1%, and in the second half (H2) of the same decade, the growth is expected to be slightly less at 4.7%. Progressing to the next time frame, H1 2025 to H2 2035, the CAGR is anticipated to go down slightly to 4.5% for the first half and go up to 5.3% for the second half. The initial half (H1) experienced a drop of 60 BPS, whereas for the second half (H2), the industry experienced an increase of 80 BPS.f.
Stringent Regulations and Serialization Fuel Market Growth
Regulatory trends, including serialization requirements from regulators such as the FDA and EMA, are driving pharma manufacturers to invest in advanced secondary packaging technologies that enable increased traceability and compliance.
Rising demand for sustainable packaging solution
Growing pressure related to sustainability is pushing pharmaceutical companies towards the integration of environment friendly secondary packaging materials such as recyclable folding cartons and biodegradable packaging materials. This evolution is driven by consumer choice and corporate sustainability goals.
Challenges in Cost and Supply Chain Management
The demand for secondary packaging in pharmaceuticals is threatened by price volatility in raw materials and supply chain issues. In addition, serialization and track-and-trace technology adoption improves packaging spending. However, the technological transition toward digital printing and automation is expected to deliver cost efficiencies in the long term.
| Key Investment Area | Why It’s Critical for Future Growth |
|---|---|
| Smart & Connected Packaging | Decrease patient noncompliance, trace the authenticity of products, and increase the transparency of the supply chain. |
| Automation & AI in Packaging Lines | To be accurate, make fewer mistakes, and act according to strict guidelines. |
| Sustainable & Recyclable Materials | To fit well in including into the global re of sustainability goals and reduce the environment degradation. |
| Tamper-Evident & Anti-Counterfeit Features | To ensure product safety and face the growing incidence of counterfeit medications. |
| Government Collaboration & Compliance | To comply with changing global pharmaceutical packaging regulations and achieve faster industry approvals. |
In the preceding years, the global pharmaceutical secondary packaging industry observed a significant transition of adapting recyclable and biodegradable packaging, with raw materials mainly made out of paperboard, plastics, and aluminum-based material. Automation was rapidly integrated with packaging lines, as well as serialization to ensure tracking.
Regulatory impact was strong, with serialization mandates and anti-counterfeiting technologies, and the boom in e-commerce created greater demand for durable secondary packaging.
By 2025 to 2035, there should be a whole-hearted commitment to zero-waste pharmaceutical packaging, with much greater levels of plant based bioplastics, recycled content and compostable pharmaceutical packaging options. AI-smart packaging will be a key enabler of supply chain optimization thanks to features such as smart labels, NFC tags, and temperature-sensitive warnings.
Some will be the cost sting of compliance, but cost savings just got better through AI, automation, and material science. The industry will broaden to include more than just pharmaceuticals, expanding into biotech, nutraceuticals and more personalized medicine. The impact of e-commerce will only grow, resulting in the widespread adoption of tamper-proof, e-commerce-friendly packaging.
The tier 1 players dominate the global secondary packaging industry for pharmaceuticals with a significant industry share. They feature high production capacities and a diverse product portfolio. At a basic level, they invest in advanced technology, green solutions, and regulatory compliance in order to enable high-quality products.
Tier 2 companies are middle-sized companies with strong regional presence and high value in the domestic sectors. They have good regulation and technology awareness but lack of advanced technology and world-wide coverage of tier 1 players. Tier 2 players target niche applications and customized pharmaceutical secondary pack solutions. Major companies in tier 2 are Constantia Flexibles, Winpak Ltd., CCL Industries, Sonoco Products Company, and UFlex Limited.
Tier 3 businesses of small companies operating at a local level, serving region-specific demands. Operators are largely busy fulfilling the needs of the local industry and the operators are considered an unorganized sector as compared to organized sector of tier 1 and tier 2 operators.
The large growth in 2020 and 2024 was driven by increased pharmaceutical production in India and China where more concentration on global regulatory compliance has emphasized. However, in the coming time period of 2025 to 2035 the growth will be driven by increasing demand for blister packs, cartons and flexible packaging types along with investment in sustainable and child-resistant packaging.
Strong uptake of serialization and tamper-evident packaging use in 2020 and also 2024 were also due to tight EU regulations in pharma packaging safety and sustainability. But, during 2025 to 2035 the industry of pharma packaging will marked by stringent waste minimization policies by EU and growing adoption of digital & intelligent packaging technologies.
Moderate growth was witnessed in 2020 and 2024 underpinned by growing pharmaceutical exports from Brazil and Mexico, although cost limitation slowed the universal uptake of sophisticated packaging.
Growth will speed up by 2035 as regulatory systems improve and local capacity for manufacturing builds, helping to curtail import reliance.
Adoption was slow in 2020 to 2024 as a result of less stringent legislation and reduced local pharmaceutical production. Governments are currently imposing stricter pharmaceutical safety and packaging requirements, however, with greater investment in local pharmaceutical production likely to stimulate demand by 2035.
The USA and Canada spearheaded industry growth through sophisticated packaging solutions and stringent regulatory compliance, with serialization becoming compulsory for packaging of drugs in past decades.
However during 2025 and 2035, more stringent FDA and Health Canada regulations will spur innovations in secondary packaging, with a heightened demand for environmentally friendly and intelligent packaging solutions.
Limited uptake occurred from 2020 to 2024 as a result of cost-conscious sectors and the absence of sophisticated packaging infrastructure, although a few companies tested biodegradable ones. In 2025 to 2035 Indian and Bangladeshi governments are implementing more stringent pharma packaging regulations, which will fuel growth in local drug production and contract packaging.
| Countries | Value CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| United States | 6.2% |
| India | 8.0% |
| Germany | 4.8% |
| China | 6.5% |
| Brazil | 3.9% |
| United Kingdom | 5.1% |
| Canada | 4.3% |
Aspects that boost demand for pharmaceutical secondary packaging in the United States are the adoption of smart packaging solutions. Use of QR codes, RFID tracking, and tamper-evident seals enables secure drug safety, compliance and traceability. The increasing focus on patient safety and compliance with regulations is enhancing sector growth.
Due to stringent EU legislation on waste and recycling, Germany is leading the charge in sustainable secondary pharma packaging. There is still a call by customers for biodaygadeable, recyclable, and sustainable pharma packaging especially in the prescription drug and over-the-counter (OTC) medicine segments. To reduce environmental impact while maintaining product quality, German converters are increasingly investing in light-weight, high-barrier papaer-based materials.
| Packaging Type | Market Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Cartons & Boxes | 54.2% |
As per the recent trend, cartons & boxes continue to account for the most common type of secondary pharmaceutical packaging owing to their versatility, lightweight and ability to offer space for branding. They are used extensively for blister packs, bottles, vials, and ampoules in order to protect them against external contamination, light and mechanical shock.
Folding Cartons & Rigid Boxes Market: Key Drivers and Challenges Different types of drugs have different tamper-evident packaging legislation requirements, and the demand for child-resistant packaging systems is increasing.
| Material Type | Market Share (2025) |
|---|---|
| Paperboard | 63.8% |
The pharma industry is moving towards environmentally friendly packaging, and paperboard is the most preferred material for secondary packaging. Due to its high recyclability, cost benefits, and lightweight, it can be used in cartons, labels, and inserts.
While the government further enforces control of plastic usage, pharmaceutical corporations now increasingly use biodegradable and FSC-approved paperboard packaging to aid sustainability without compromising packaging integrity and compliance.
By 2025 and beyond, key players in the pharmaceutical secondary packaging sector are prioritizing sustainability, digitalization, and compliance-driven innovations. WestRock Company is increasing FSC-certified & child-resistant cartons, and Amcor Plc is putting resources into smart packaging with track-and-trace systems.
Mondi Group is focused on sustainable development of 100% recyclable and compostable packaging, and Sonoco Products Company is developing temperature-resistant and protective pharmaceutical packaging.
Gerresheimer AG is adding RFID and NFC smart labels, and Huhtamaki is creating biodegradable paper-based blister packs. Constantia Flexibles is improving cold-chain secondary packaging for biologics Custom-molded fiber trays for sterile medical devices is one area receiving attention at UFP Technologies, while Clondalkin Group is adding to tamper-evident and anti-counterfeiting attributes. Rondo-Pak is innovating and nurturing sustainable and intelligent packaging solutions.
By 2035, the industry is expected to be fully aligned with circular economy principles, leveraging AI-driven packaging solutions, automation, and stricter regulatory frameworks to enhance drug safety, reduce environmental impact, and improve supply chain efficiency.
Key Developments in the Pharmaceutical Secondary Packaging Market
| Company Strategy | Development |
|---|---|
| Product Launch | WestRock introduced a new line of child-resistant, recyclable paperboard packaging for pharmaceuticals, enhancing safety and sustainability. |
| Partnership | Amcor partnered with Novo Nordisk to develop high-barrier, recyclable secondary packaging for temperature-sensitive medications. |
| Acquisition | Metsä Board completed the acquisition of A&R Carton to expand its sustainable pharmaceutical packaging capabilities across Europe. |
| Certification | Huhtamaki achieved ISO 15378 certification for its pharmaceutical secondary packaging, ensuring compliance with global quality standards. |
| Acquisition | Sonoco acquired ThermoSafe, strengthening its position in temperature-controlled pharmaceutical packaging. |
| Product Innovation | Gerresheimer launched tamper-evident secondary packaging for injectable drugs, improving patient safety and regulatory compliance. |
| Manufacturer | Vendor Insights |
|---|---|
| WestRock | Innovations in sustainable and child-resistant pharmaceutical packaging. |
| Amcor | Developed sustainable forms of secondary packaging that have high barriers and helps to grow their market share |
| Metsä Board | Instituted acquisitions and sustainable paperboard packaging solutions to make its presence stronger in Europe. |
| Huhtamaki | Specialized in regulatory strictures and high quality pharmaceutical packaging solutions. |
| Sonoco | Built its capacity in temperature-controlled pharmaceutical packaging via acquisitions. |
| Gerresheimer | Retained its industrial position with the introduction of tamper-evident and high barrier packaging innovations |
| Berry Global | Diversified and expanded its pharmaceutical packaging business with an emphasis on sustainability and material efficiency |
| Schreiner MediPharm | Managed its industrial share with smart labels and interactive secondary packaging solutions |
| CCL Industries | Growing focus of pharmaceutical manufacturers to invest in security features for their cartons and labels. |
| Körber Pharma Packaging | Consolidating its position with automation solutions in pharmaceutical secondary packaging |
| Graphic Packaging International | Delivered against industry growth through lightweight, recyclable secondary packaging innovations. |
| Constantia Flexibles | Strengthened pharmaceutical domain with advanced high-barrier film based secondary packaging. |
The pharmaceutical secondary packaging industry is anticipated to grow steadily, spurred by growing regulatory demands and sustainability efforts.
To maintain tracing and authenticity smart packaging options such as RFID, QR code, and NFC should also be adopted. Investment in automation and the digitization of processes will contribute to greater efficiency in manufacturing and more temperature-controlled packaging options in the case of biologics and temperature-sensitives drugs are needed.
By following these tactics, businesses are able to propel innovation and enforce compliance in the emerging pharmaceutical secondary packaging industry.
The industry is predictive to observe a CAGR of 4.9% between 2025 and 2035.
The global industry stood at USD 43.5 billion in 2024.
The industry is anticipated to reach USD 72.8 billion by 2035.
Asia-Pacific is expected to record the highest CAGR, driven by pharmaceutical market expansion and regulatory reforms.
Some of the key players include WestRock, Amcor, Metsä Board, and Huhtamaki.
Folding Cartons, Paperboard Boxes, Pouches & Sachets, Labels & Leaflets, Blister Cards, Clamshells and Wrap-Around Packaging
Paperboard, Corrugated Board, Plastics, Aluminium Foil, Glass
Ophthalmic, Injectable, Biologics, Wound Care, Respiratory, Therapy, Oral
Pharmaceutical Companies, Contract Packaging Organizations (CPOs), Retail Pharmacies, Hospitals & Clinics
North America, Latin America, Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Middle East & Africa
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