October 2024
The pills and tablets bottles market size is booming, poised for a revenue surge into the hundreds of millions from 2023 to 2034, driving a revolution in sustainable transportation.
The pills and tablets bottles market is set to expand substantially over the forecast timeline. These bottles are utilized in the storing and dispensing solid oral dosage forms such as pills, tablets and capsules. These bottles are essential in maintaining the integrity, safety and efficiency of the medications and supplements, providing convenience and ease of use to the consumers as well as the healthcare professionals. Typically made from materials like plastic (HDPE, PET) or glass, these bottles come in various sizes and feature secure closures to prevent contamination, moisture or accidental ingestion by children. These bottles are used by both the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors.
The expansion of the global pharmaceutical industry along with the aging population in many regions is expected to augment the growth of the pills and tablets bottles market during the forecast period. Furthermore, the rise in chronic diseases is driving higher prescription rates as well as the growing health awareness and the surge in demand for nutraceuticals and dietary supplements are also anticipated to augment the growth of the market. Additionally, the increasing focus on patient convenience with easy-to-use and portable packaging and the e-commerce expansion coupled with the rising population in the emerging economies 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 growing pharmaceutical industry is projected to support the growth of the pills and tablets bottles market during the forecast period. This is owing to the increasing global burden of diseases, expanding healthcare access as well as increase in R&D spending on the introduction of the new drugs. According to the report by the Congressional Budget Office, in 2019, the US pharmaceutical sector spent $83 billion on research and development. That sum, after accounting for inflation, is roughly ten times the annual expenditure of the industry in the 1980s. Compared to the preceding ten years, the number of new pharmaceuticals licensed for sale climbed by 60% between 2010 and 2019, reaching an all-time high of 59 novel medications approved in 2018. Also, as per the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, the research-based pharmaceutical industry in Europe invested a projected € 41,500 million in 2021 for the R&D.
Furthermore, the increasing prevalence of the chronic diseases as well as the aging population which needs a long-term medication routine in turn drives the demand for the safe and reliable packaging. As per the World Health Organization, the number of individuals in the world who are 60 years of age or older is expected to double and reach 2.1 billion by 2050. It is also projected that between 2020 and 2050, the number of people 80 years of age or older will triple, reaching 426 million. Thus, the demand for pill bottles is likely to increase to maintain the effectiveness of the medications. Additionally, as the pharmaceutical industry shifts towards more patient-centric care, the need for user-friendly packaging that facilitates proper dosing is further expected to contribute to the growth of the market within the estimated timeframe.
The presence of various alternative packaging options is expected to limit the growth of the market during the forecast period. The blister pack is gaining popularity as a packaging option that is ideal for today's security-conscious customers and authorities. Blister packing supports in anti-counterfeiting efforts in addition to functioning well with serialization and track & trace procedures. Furthermore, whether it's an innovative clinical-trial drug or an OTC (over-the-counter) pain reliever, the blister pack continues to be the most effective packaging option for improving patient compliance. Blister packing enables producers to comply with the strict worldwide regulations by protecting individual doses until the point of consumption. Additionally, blister packs have shown to be a practical and easy-to-use packaging style for solid oral dose drugs. This may be especially true for elderly people, as they frequently experience difficulties opening prescription bottles.
Furthermore, as stick packs have so many excellent attributes, it has become clear over time that stick packs are among the most valued package formats by both users as well as packaging companies. Compared to the sachet format, the stick pack package uses 33% less film, significantly lowering the amount of material needed to produce single-dose packets. For the end user, the stick pack format provides a convenient and simple opening. This feature gives the consumer the greatest amount of convenience when using the product, free from issues like drips, spills, or other difficult and inconvenient aspects. These alternative packaging options are increasingly being adopted due to their convenience, sustainability and functionality, challenging the dominance of the traditional pill and tablet bottles in various market segments.
The increasing popularity of online pharmacies and the direct-to-consumer sales is anticipated to augment the growth of the pills and tablets bottles market in the near future. Implementing e-commerce to circulate information can result in significant gains in financial transactions for the pharmaceutical industry and its users. This integrated network reduces the geographical distances and allowing timely access to the health-related data and the most recent biotech knowledge will improve the services for both users and the pharmaceutical community at large.
The emergence of massive internet companies like Ali JinDong and the e-commerce transformation of conventional pharmaceutical firms have propelled pharmaceutical e-commerce into a thriving industry, showcasing remarkable expansion as the result of technologically-driven industrial advancement. With an increasing number of consumers opting to purchase medications via pharmaceutical e-commerce platforms, user satisfaction feedback from online reviews can serve as a vital research foundation for platform growth and improvement. Additionally, a number of internet pharmacies increased the range of products they offered by adding dietary supplements, over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and prescription drugs.
Furthermore, as more consumers prefer to buy medications online, manufacturers must guarantee that the products are delivered safely to the consumers without compromising safety or quality. E-commerce packaging options must be durable enough to survive the challenges of shipping while keeping products tamper-proof and undamaged during transit. Manufacturers can innovate by creating packaging products that are customized to the needs of the e-commerce supply chain. As a result of the increasing online pharmacy business due to the growing internet penetration and online shopping habits, the demand for packaging will continue to rise, providing a huge growth opportunity for the pills and tablets bottles market in the years to come.
The plastic segment captured largest market share in 2023. Among all materials, plastic is one of the most versatile materials. Plastic is lightweight, flexible and particularly hard to break. It may be utilized to create packaging in a variety of sizes and designs. When looking into materials for pharmaceutical packaging, there are all these benefits. The orange pill bottles which are extremely used for storing medications are made-up of polypropylene. Orange pill bottles are made of recycled polypropylene. Polypropylene and polyethylene are also the most frequent raw materials used to make the pharmaceutical bottle caps. Furthermore, plastic bottles made-up of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are becoming increasingly popular as the industry's preferred packaging option. PET plastic bottles support environmental sustainability as well, which is in line with the pharmaceutical industry's growing focus on sustainable operations.
The pharmaceuticals segment held the largest market share in 2023. This is owing to the increasing burden of the diseases along with the growing demand for the prescription medications. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the percentage of chronic diseases continues to increase and is affecting millions of people worldwide particularly in the aging populations that require consistent medication management. Furthermore, growing awareness and diagnosis of chronic illnesses coupled with the increasing availability of healthcare services particularly in the emerging markets is also expected to contribute to the segment growth of the market. Additionally, the strict regulatory environment governing the pharmaceutical packaging is further anticipated to fuel the growth of the segment in the near future.
North American pill and tablet bottle market has emerged as the largest market in the world in 2023. This is attributed to the growing spending on the healthcare products, easy accessibility of pill and tablet bottles through online/offline channels along with the availability of the smart pill and tablet bottles in the market. Another factor contributing to this development is the accessibility of the smart and intelligent pill bottles with designs that are senior and child-friendly and that support medication adherence with advanced technology capabilities. For example, in 2022 Drug Plastics launched the unique Pop & Click Closure System, which is easy to use and child-resistant for compliance and security, especially for people who have trouble with traditional closure systems. Furthermore, the well-established healthcare facilities and the stringent regulations for drug packaging are further expected to support the growth of the market in the region.
Asia Pacific is likely to grow at fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the growing healthcare industry in the developing economies such as China and India. China is the largest contributor to the pill and tablet bottle market owing to the high demand for bottles from the large population consuming a wide range of healthcare services. India is another major contributor to the regional pill and tablet bottle market owing to the growing income of the middle-class population subsequently spending more on the healthcare products. According to the Economic Survey 2022–23, India's public spending on the healthcare reached 2.1% of GDP in FY23 and 2.2% in FY22, up from 1.6% in FY21. Apart from India and China, developed economies such as Japan, Australia and South Korea with strong spending power are also likely to contribute to the rising demand for pill and tablet bottles in the region.
Some of the key players in pills and tablets bottles market Gerresheimer AG, Berlin Packaging, Stoelzle Glass Group, The Remarkable Technology Co., Ltd, Kaufman Container, AARDEX Group, Amcor Plc, Berry Global, Inc., Rongtai Glass Products Co., Ltd., Nordtek Packaging Ltd., and Origin Pharma Packaging, among others.
By Material Type
By Bottle Capacity
By End-Use
By Region
October 2024
October 2024
October 2024
October 2024
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.