October 2024
The global diagnostic test kits packaging market size is accelerating, with forecasts predicting hundreds of millions in revenue growth between 2023 and 2034, powering sustainable infrastructure globally.
The diagnostic test kits packaging market is set to expand substantially over the forecast timeline. The need of efficient packing options for the home testing and medical diagnostics cannot be overstated in the quickly evolving field of healthcare today. The packaging of test kits guarantees the accuracy, security and usability of the tests that are important in keeping an eye on medical issues. Health care providers can detect the illnesses and suggest the best plan for their patient’s recovery owing to these diagnostic test kits. For these test kits, effective packaging provides a number of essential benefits. It shields fragile diagnostic elements from outside influences that can reduce their precision. Packaging that is well-organized reduces the risk of physical damage, moisture and temperature variations during the transportation and storage.
The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and cancer along with the global rise in infectious diseases is expected to augment the growth of the diagnostic test kits packaging market during the forecast period. Furthermore, the growing trend of point-of-care testing, specifically in the home settings as well as the rise of e-commerce in healthcare products are also anticipated to augment the growth of the market. Additionally, the growing consumer preference for the sustainable and eco-friendly packaging materials along with the advancements in the diagnostic technologies have enabled the development of more sensitive and portable test kits is also projected to contribute to the growth of the market in the years to come. The global packaging industry size is estimated to grow from USD 1.20 trillion in 2022 to reach an estimated USD 1.58 trillion by 2032, growing at a 3.16% CAGR between 2023 and 2032.
The expansion of vaccine production capacities is expected to fuel the growth of the diagnostic test kits packaging market within the estimated timeframe. This is owing to the increased health awareness, a focus on preventive care and the expansion of telemedicine services. Self-collection samples such as COVID swabs and ancestral DNA are now more popular than ever among the consumers for a variety of purposes. The ease of testing for anything from fertility to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the comfort and privacy of one's own home has become normal to consumers. Additionally, consumers are increasingly looking for healthcare options that fit into their busy lifestyles and home-based diagnostic testing enables them to conduct tests without the need for appointments or travel to medical facilities.
Furthermore, the demand for the diagnostic test kits supplied to the consumers' homes has also increased due to COVID-19 and consumerization, according to a study conducted by R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company (RRD). Even though COVID-19 has made testing easier at home, new diagnostic categories and combination tests—which can identify multiple illnesses at once, like the flu and COVID-19—show potential for expansion this year. The study also revealed that along with combination tests (44%) and pregnancy tests (52%) the most frequently selected top categories for market opportunity were STI (48%), fertility (43%) and food sensitivity (43%). As the consumer interest in home diagnostics increases, manufacturers are concentrating on packaging options that not only meet regulatory requirements but also improve the user experience. This trend is projected to accelerate innovation in the diagnostic test kit packaging within the estimated timeframe.
The growing global concerns over the environmental impact of single-use plastic packaging are expected to limit the growth of the market during the forecast period. As per the article published by the National Institutes of Health, Millions of single-use diagnostics were utilized during the Covid-19 pandemic along with the 3 million tests for tuberculosis, 412 million tests for malaria and 2.4 million tests for HIV. Over 116.9 million tests have been obtained for use in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) by the testing foundation of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator collaboration since the beginning of the pandemic. Of these, almost 43.2 million seemed PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests and 73.7 million tests were antigen-detecting rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT).
These devices are typically constructed from non-sustainable plastic, which means that burning them to lower the danger of infection will likely result in the production of more greenhouse gases as well as other pollutants. Furthermore, there are several risks to both the environmental and human health associated with the diagnostic waste. Ag-RDT cassettes are not biodegradable and are composed of petroleum-derived polymers, which have a high carbon impact. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) on COVID-19 linked healthcare waste, test kits that have only been purchased through the UN supply portal since the pandemic's beginning had the capacity to produce 2,600 tonnes of unsorted waste, primarily plastic.
However, the concern of single-use plastics is only one part of the problem with diagnostic waste. The increased accessibility of point-of-care diagnostic tests will undoubtedly present more issues for the disposal of diagnostic waste, yet questions concerning waste management are noticeably lacking from the current discussion about access. This increases the pressure on manufacturers in the diagnostic test kit packaging market to come up not only with sustainable materials but also with systems that address the larger issue of waste management, complicating the transition to sustainable alternatives.
The rise of e-commerce partnerships and platforms are anticipated to augment the growth of the diagnostic test kits packaging market in the near future. With the increasing trend of online shopping, especially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers have become more comfortable purchasing health-related products online. E-commerce platforms provide a convenient avenue for manufacturers to reach a broader audience, including healthcare providers and end consumers. This has led to increase in collaborations and launch of test kits on the online platforms. For instance:
This growing trend increases the demand for packaging that guarantees the safety, dependability and compliance of diagnostic kits during shipment, leading to innovation in e-commerce packaging options. Manufacturers are likely to capitalize on the rising e-commerce industry, which is expected to fuel growth of the diagnostic test kit packaging market, by providing packaging products that solve the problems of online distribution.
The plastic segment captured substantial market share in 2023. This is due to its versatility, durability and the cost-effectiveness in the diagnostic test kits packaging. Plastics offer superior barrier properties against the moisture, contaminants as well as physical damage, guaranteeing the integrity and sterility of the diagnostic components. Additionally, the flexibility of plastic materials allows for various packaging formats, including vials, bottles, and closures, meeting diverse diagnostic needs. The growing demand for home-based test kits is further likely to fuel the growth of this segment, as plastic is lightweight and convenient for e-commerce distribution. Also, the innovations in the sustainable plastics are further expected to support the segmental growth of the market growth in the years to come.
The hospitals segment held the largest market share in 2023. For all disease diagnosis and treatment, hospitals act as primary care centers. Hospitals improved diagnostic services are becoming ever more essential as a result of constant shifts in the healthcare sector. Regulatory agencies frequently work with hospitals to conduct disease surveillance as they maintain and gather data on illness prevalence. Furthermore, hospitals frequently have stringent requirements for packaging that maintains sterility and safety, favoring high-quality, durable options. Additionally, the demand is increasing due to the requirement for precise and quick diagnostics to manage patient care, particularly during the outbreaks of the infectious disease. Also, the increasing investment in the healthcare infrastructure globally is further likely to fuel the segment's growth.
North America held the largest market share in the world in 2023. This is due to the high incidence of chronic diseases and presence of most advanced healthcare systems in the world with high access to the healthcare services and technologies across the region. Furthermore, the stringent regulatory environment as well as the increasing number of new products that are being approved by the FDA is also expected to contribute to the regional growth of the market. For instance, in April 2024, The Mpox PCR Test Home Collection Kit, developed by Labcorp, was approved for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States. This authorization is intended to facilitate the detection of non-variola orthopoxvirus infections, such as the virus that causes monkeypox, or mpox. Physicians can prescribe the test for patients who are 18 years of age or older and suspect they may have mpox infection. It is the very first mpox at-home collection kit approved by the FDA. Also, the growing importance of rapid diagnostic test kits is further expected to support regional growth of the market in the years to come.
Asia Pacific is likely to grow at fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This is owing to the increasing healthcare spending and investments in improving the availability of medical services across the region. Furthermore, the rising trend toward home-based diagnostic testing due to the growing consumer awareness and the expansion of telemedicine services is also expected to support the regional growth of the market. Additionally, the rapid urbanization along with the growing e-commerce and digital health platforms as well as the growing middle class and increased access to smartphones is also anticipated to promote the growth of the market in the region in the near future.
Some of the key players in diagnostic test kits packaging market Amcor plc, Gerresheimer AG, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., Schott AG, Sonoco Products Company, Adelphi Healthcare Packaging, Duncan Print Group, Aptar CSP Technologies, Inc., Packaging Height, eliteBoxPackaging, PAXXUS, Impak Corporation, OPTIMA Packaging, and Sonic Packaging, among others.
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October 2024
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Asmita Singh is a distinguished author and consultant in the packaging industry, recognized for her unwavering passion for knowledge discovery and her commitment to providing actionable insights. She holds an MBA from the University of Mumbai and a degree in Packaging Engineering from the Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP), equipping her with a solid foundation in both business and technical aspects of packaging. With extensive experience in packaging consulting, Asmita has successfully implemented advanced research methodologies across various packaging categories, including flexible packaging, rigid packaging, sustainable packaging, and smart packaging. She generates high-quality data and delivers meaningful results that drive innovation and efficiency. Her expertise spans the globe, offering valuable consulting services to businesses seeking to enhance their packaging strategies. Asmitas work is characterized by a dedication to excellence and a keen understanding of the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of packaging.