Europe Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Size, Share, and Trends Analysis Report – Industry Overview and Forecast to 2032

 Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Size

• The Europe pharmaceutical packaging market was valued at USD 28.16 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 46.53 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period
• This growth is fuelled by an aging population, rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and increasing regulatory focus on patient safety and drug traceability. The demand for advanced, sustainable, and smart packaging solutions is also expanding as pharmaceutical manufacturers adapt to stricter compliance standards and the need for product

Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Analysis

• Pharmaceutical packaging plays a significant role in the pharmaceutical industry for the safety of the drugs and medicine against all unfavourable external influences. These influences can change the properties of the drug or medicine and cause mechanical damage, physical damage, biological contamination and degradation and also counterfeiting
• The Europe pharmaceutical packaging market is expected to rise in demand due to the high demand for drug delivery devices and blister packaging
• Germany dominates the Europe pharmaceutical packaging market, accounting for the largest regional share of approximately 26.32% in 2024. This leadership is attributed to its strong pharmaceutical manufacturing base, high healthcare expenditure, and advanced packaging technology adoption. The presence of leading pharma companies and a robust regulatory environment further reinforces Germany's position as a key driver in the region's packaging evolution
• The Poland is expected to witness the highest growth rate in the Europe Pharmaceutical Packaging market, projected to register a CAGR of 7.5% and account for a market share of 5.12% in 2025. This growth is driven by increasing pharmaceutical manufacturing activities, rising healthcare investments, and a growing demand for modern, regulation-compliant packaging solutions
• In 2025, the Plastics segment is expected to dominate the material type segment of the Europe Pharmaceutical Packaging market, holding a market share of approximately 52.3%. This dominance is driven by plastics' versatility, lightweight nature, and cost-effectiveness, along with their suitability for a wide range of pharmaceutical products such as blister packs, bottles, syringes, and pouches

Report Scope and Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Segmentation    

Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Trends

“Sustainability Mandates Fuel the Rise of Eco-Friendly Pharmaceutical Packaging”

• A prominent trend in the Europe Pharmaceutical Packaging market is the accelerating shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions. With stringent EU regulations and increasing consumer awareness about environmental impact, pharmaceutical companies are adopting recyclable, biodegradable, and reusable packaging materials to reduce their carbon footprint
• Manufacturers are investing in green innovations, such as plant-based polymers, recyclable blister packs, and low-impact inks, to comply with environmental standards and appeal to eco-conscious stakeholders
• For instance, in February 2025, Gerresheimer AG introduced a new line of pharmaceutical containers made from 100% recyclable bio-based plastics, aligning with EU climate targets and customer expectations for greener products
• This trend not only supports environmental objectives but also enhances brand reputation, enables regulatory compliance, and positions companies to benefit from growing demand in sustainable healthcare packaging across Europe

Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Dynamics

Driver

“Stringent Regulatory Standards Promoting Advanced and Compliant Packaging Solutions”

• A major driver in the Europe Pharmaceutical Packaging market is the implementation of stringent regulatory frameworks aimed at ensuring drug safety, traceability, and patient compliance. European agencies such as the EMA and national authorities have introduced mandates around serialization, tamper-evidence, and material safety, compelling manufacturers to adopt advanced packaging technologies
• These regulations are particularly impactful in prescription and high-risk drug categories, where compliance with safety and anti-counterfeiting measures is critical, pushing pharmaceutical companies to invest in smart, trackable, and secure packaging formats
• As a result, there’s an increasing demand for serialized barcodes, RFID-enabled labels, and tamper-proof containers to meet EU Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) requirements and enhance consumer trust

For instance,

• In January 2025, Schreiner MediPharm unveiled a new RFID-enabled label system designed to improve medication tracking and patient safety, helping pharmaceutical companies align with EU traceability guidelines.
• This regulatory-driven shift not only accelerates the adoption of innovative packaging solutions but also enhances product security, patient adherence, and overall pharmaceutical supply chain transparency across Europe

Opportunity

“Growing Adoption of Smart Packaging Technologies in Healthcare”

• A key opportunity in the Pharmaceutical Packaging market is the rising adoption of smart packaging technologies, driven by the need for better patient compliance, real-time monitoring, and improved drug traceability. This includes features such as NFC-enabled labels, time-temperature indicators, and electronic reminder systems
• As digital health gains momentum across Europe, pharmaceutical companies are exploring smart packaging to ensure medication adherence, enhance user engagement, and provide data-driven insights for healthcare providers. This evolution aligns with the broader shift towards personalized medicine and connected healthcare systems

For instance,

• In February 2025, Amcor collaborated with a digital health startup to develop interactive pharmaceutical blister packs that alert patients via smartphone notifications when it's time to take their medication, aiming to improve treatment adherence and clinical outcomes
• This trend presents an opportunity for packaging manufacturers to lead innovation in digital health integration, expand their product offerings, and tap into a growing segment that merges technology with traditional pharmaceutical packaging

Restraint/Challenge

“High Cost of Advanced and Sustainable Packaging Solutions”

• The Pharmaceutical Packaging market faces a significant challenge due to the high cost associated with advanced and eco-friendly packaging materials. Incorporating technologies like tamper-evidence, serialization, and smart tracking—as well as transitioning to sustainable alternatives such as biodegradable plastics or recycled content—often results in higher production and operational expenses
• These elevated costs can be particularly burdensome for small and mid-sized pharmaceutical companies, limiting their ability to adopt innovative packaging at scale and potentially affecting overall profitability and pricing strategies

For instance,

• In January 2025, a report by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) highlighted that over 40% of smaller firms in Europe cited packaging costs as a major barrier to implementing sustainable and compliant solutions

• This challenge underscores the need for scalable, cost-effective innovations in packaging technology and materials, as well as collaborative efforts across the supply chain to balance environmental responsibility with economic viability

Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Scope

The market is segmented on the basis of material type, type, and drug delivery mode

In 2025, the Plastics segment is projected to dominate the market with a largest share in Material type segment

In 2025, the Plastics segment is expected to dominate the material type segment of the Europe Pharmaceutical Packaging market, holding a market share of approximately 52.3%. This dominance is driven by plastics' versatility, lightweight nature, and cost-effectiveness, along with their suitability for a wide range of pharmaceutical products such as blister packs, bottles, syringes, and pouches

The Blister Packs is expected to account for the largest share during the forecast period in Type market

The Blister Packs segment is projected to hold the largest share of 41.7% in the type market during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to blister packs' unit-dose packaging convenience, tamper-evident features, and their widespread use for oral solid doses like tablets and capsules, ensuring both consumer convenience and regulatory compliance

Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Regional Analysis

“Germany Holds the Largest Share in the Europe Pharmaceutical Packaging Market”

• Germany dominates the Europe pharmaceutical packaging market, accounting for the largest regional share of approximately 26.32% in 2025. This leadership stems from its strong pharmaceutical industry, high R&D expenditure, and advanced packaging technology infrastructure
• Germany’s position is reinforced by a robust regulatory framework, high export volumes of pharmaceuticals, and active investment in sustainable and smart packaging materials that meet EU environmental standards
• France is experiencing a steady rise in pharmaceutical packaging demand due to the expansion of biotech and vaccine manufacturing, along with a push toward localized production and serialization compliance
• Italy and the UK are focusing on modernizing packaging operations, leveraging automation, serialization, and sustainable formats to cater to both domestic consumption and exports within the EU and beyond

 “Poland is Projected to Register the Highest CAGR in the Pharmaceutical Packaging Market”

• Poland is expected to register the highest growth rate in the Europe pharmaceutical packaging market, with a projected CAGR of 7.5% through 2032. This rapid growth is supported by an expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, favorable investment climate, and increasing healthcare access across the country
• The country's pharmaceutical packaging sector is evolving due to government support for local drug production, EU-aligned regulatory improvements, and the rise of contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) that demand modern, cost-effective packaging solutions
• Poland’s strategic position within Central and Eastern Europe enables it to serve as a manufacturing and logistics hub, attracting both regional and multinational pharmaceutical players looking to scale operations while complying with stringent EU packaging norms
• Additionally, investments in smart and sustainable packaging technologies are rising across the region, with Poland leading efforts to adopt recyclable, tamper-evident, and serialization-compliant packaging formats that meet global pharmaceutical requirements

Pharmaceutical Packaging Market Share

The market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, Europe presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to market.

The Major Market Leaders Operating in the Market Are:

• SCHOTT AG (Germany)
• Gerresheimer AG (Germany)
• DuPont (U.S.)
• Lonza (Switzerland)
• AptarGroup, Inc. (U.S.)
• BAUSCH + STRÖBEL (Germany)
• BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (U.S.)
• APG Europe (Netherlands)
• Şişecam Group (Turkey)
• Amcor plc (Switzerland)

Latest Developments in Europe Pharmaceutical Packaging Market

• In January 2025, LOG Pharma Primary Packaging introduced its new Eco Line of barrier bottles at Pharmapack Europe. These bottles offer exceptional protection against oxygen and moisture while being environmentally friendly, reducing bottle weight by up to 30% without compromising quality
• In March 2025, Germany's DHL announced the acquisition of U.S.-based pharmaceutical logistics company Cryopdp. This strategic move aims to strengthen DHL's supply chain services for the life sciences and healthcare industry
• In February 2025, German packaging and medical equipment company Gerresheimer AG halved its revenue growth forecast for 2025, now expecting organic growth between 3% and 5%, down from the previous 7% to 10% range
• In October 2024, Liveo Research, in collaboration with Bayer, introduced a groundbreaking PET blister packaging for Bayer's Aleve brand. This new packaging reduces the carbon footprint by 38% and eliminates the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• At Pharmapack Europe 2025, several companies were honored for their advancements in pharmaceutical packaging. SHL Medical's Elexy, a reusable electromechanical autoinjector, won in the Delivery and Device Innovation category 

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