Number of pages: 100 | Report Format: PDF | Published date: June 28, 2023
Historical Years – 2021 | Base Year – 2022 | Forecasted Years – 2023-2031
Report Attribute |
Details |
Market Size Value in 2022 |
US$ 44.50 billion |
Revenue Forecast in 2031 |
US$ 100.98 billion |
CAGR |
9.53% |
Base Year for Estimation |
2022 |
Forecast Period |
2023 to 2031 |
Historical Year |
2021 |
Segments Covered |
Application, Type, Material, and Region |
Regional Scope |
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa |
According to the deep-dive market assessment study by Growth Plus Reports, the global sterile medical packaging market was valued at US$ 44.50 billion in 2022 and is expected to register a revenue CAGR of 9.53% to reach US$ 100.98 billion by 2031.
Sterile Medical Packaging Market Fundamentals
Sterile medical packaging refers to the specialized packaging materials and techniques used to maintain the sterility of medical devices, instruments, and supplies. It is crucial for ensuring the safety and effectiveness of medical products and minimizing the risk of contamination and infection during storage, transport, and use. The primary goal of sterile medical packaging is to create a barrier that protects the contents from exposure to microorganisms, moisture, gases, and other environmental factors that could compromise their sterility. This packaging is commonly used in healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies.
Sterile medical packaging plays a vital role in maintaining the sterility and safety of medical products throughout their lifecycle. It is designed to protect the contents from contamination, provide convenient handling and identification, and ensure that healthcare professionals have confidence in the integrity and sterility of their products.
Sterile Medical Packaging Market Dynamics
The rising healthcare expenditure globally, driven by population growth, aging demographics, and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, fuels the demand for medical devices, instruments, and supplies. This, in turn, drives the need for sterile packaging to ensure the safety and effectiveness of these products. For instance, according to the WHO’s factsheet of September 2022, noncommunicable diseases kill around 41 million individuals each year, which is equivalent to 74% of deaths globally. Furthermore, advancements in packaging materials, technologies, and designs have led to the development of innovative sterile medical packaging solutions. These advancements aim to improve packaging processes convenience, efficiency, and safety. The introduction of advanced barrier materials, intelligent packaging systems, and tamper-evident features have driven global sterile medical packaging market growth. Moreover, the pharmaceutical and biologics sectors are witnessing significant growth, driven by factors such as population growth, increased access to healthcare, and advancements in drug development. Sterile packaging is crucial for pharmaceutical products, including injectables, vaccines, and biologics, to maintain efficacy and prevent contamination.
However, sterile medical packaging often requires specialized materials and processes to ensure the sterility and integrity of medical products. These materials and processes can be more expensive compared to conventional packaging methods. The higher costs associated with sterile medical packaging can pose a challenge for manufacturers, particularly those operating in cost-sensitive markets or regions with limited healthcare budgets. Moreover, sterile medical packaging must be designed to facilitate easy and efficient use in healthcare settings. Packaging should allow for convenient access to the contents while maintaining sterility. However, striking a balance between sterility requirements and user-friendly design can be a challenge. Packaging designs that are overly complex or cumbersome can impact usability and increase the risk of errors or contamination. Additionally, sterilization compatibility, design, and usability constraints are some of the restraints impeding the overall market growth.
Sterile Medical Packaging Market Ecosystem
The global sterile medical packaging market is analyzed from the following perspectives: application, type, material, and region.
Sterile Medical Packaging Market by Application
Based on the application, the global sterile medical packaging market is segmented into pharmaceutical & biological, surgical & medical instruments, in vitro diagnostic products, medical implants, and others.
The pharmaceutical & biological segment dominated the market with the principal revenue share in 2022. It involves packaging pharmaceutical products, including drugs, vaccines, biologics, and other related medical products that require strict sterility and protection to maintain their efficacy and integrity. Pharmaceutical and biological products are highly contaminant sensitive and require stringent sterility assurance. Sterile medical packaging for these pharmaceutical and biological products is designed to create a barrier that prevents the entry of microorganisms, moisture, light, and other environmental factors that could compromise product quality. The packaging materials and processes are selected to ensure the contents remain sterile throughout their shelf life. Pharmaceutical and biological products often undergo sterilization to ensure their safety. Sterile medical packaging must be compatible with the chosen sterilization methods, such as steam autoclaving, ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization, or gamma irradiation. The packaging materials and designs must withstand the sterilization process without compromising the contents' packaging integrity or sterility. These aspects contribute to the growth of the pharmaceutical & biological segment.
Sterile Medical Packaging Market by Type
Based on the type, the global sterile medical packaging market is segmented into thermoform trays, sterile bottles & containers, vials & ampoules, pre-fillable inhalers, sterile closures, pre-filled syringes, blister & clamshells, bags & pouches, wraps, and others.
The thermoform trays segment accounted for a prominent share of the market. Thermoform trays are commonly used in the healthcare industry to package and protect medical devices, instruments, and supplies. These trays are made by heating a plastic sheet until it becomes pliable, then molding it into a specific shape and allowing it to cool and harden. Thermoform trays offer several advantages in sterility, protection, organization, and ease of use. Thermoform trays are designed to maintain the sterility of medical products. The trays provide a protective barrier, preventing contamination from external sources during storage, transport, and handling. The thermoformed plastic material used for these trays is typically compatible with sterilization methods such as steam autoclaving, ethylene oxide (EO) sterilization, and gamma irradiation. This ensures that the trays and their contents can undergo sterilization without compromising their integrity. Thermoform trays can be customized for medical devices, instruments, or supplies. The trays are designed to securely hold and protect the items, ensuring a proper fit and minimizing movement during transport. Customization allows for efficient organization, easy identification, and accessibility of the contents, promoting streamlined workflows in healthcare settings. These factors contribute to the growth of the thermoform trays segment.
Sterile Medical Packaging Market by Material
Based on the Material, the global sterile medical packaging market is segmented into plastics, metals, glass, paper & paperboard, and others.
The plastics segment in the sterile medical packaging market will have the largest revenue share in 2022. Plastics are extensively employed in packaging medical devices, instruments, and supplies due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and compatibility with various sterilization methods. Plastics used in sterile medical packaging are typically medical-grade polymers that comply with strict regulatory requirements. Common plastic materials used include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These materials offer excellent barrier properties, durability, and compatibility with sterilization processes. Plastics offer versatility in packaging formats, accommodating different types of medical devices and supplies. They can be molded, extruded, or thermoformed into various shapes and sizes to create packaging solutions such as trays, containers, pouches, blister packs, and vials. Plastics' flexibility in design allows for customization to meet specific product requirements and facilitate efficient organization and usage. These factors contribute to the growth of the plastics segment.
Sterile Medical Packaging Market by Region
Geographically, the global sterile medical packaging market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.
North America dominated the global sterile medical packaging market with the largest revenue share in 2022 with a CAGR of 10.2% forecast period, due to the growing need for surgical automation, technological advancements, increased funding to upgrade infrastructure along with multiple regulations that are imposed by the FDA, which, in turn, is driving the demand for sustainable and high-quality products in this region. Additionally, companies across the region are continuously involved in partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions, which are also expected to improve the sterile medical packaging market outlook.
Sterile Medical Packaging Market Competitive Landscape
The prominent players operating in the global sterile medical packaging market are:
Sterile Medical Packaging Market Strategic Developments
Sterile Medical Packaging (OR Integration) refers to using integrated systems and devices in the operating room to improve the efficiency and safety of surgical procedures.
The global sterile medical packaging market was valued at US$ 44.50 billion in 2022.
The estimated market size of the global sterile medical packaging market in 2031 is US$ 100.98 billion.
The revenue CAGR of the sterile medical packaging market during the forecast period will be 9.53% from 2023 to 2031.
Some key companies operating in the global sterile medical packaging market areTekni-Plex Inc., BillerudKorsnäs AB, Sonoco Products Company, Wheaton Industries, Technipaq Inc., 3M Company, and Nelipak Healthcare Packaging.
*Insights on financial performance are subject to the availability of information in the public domain