Contact Us
Home Market Reports The Future of Healthcare Packaging to 2031

The Future of Healthcare Packaging to 2031

Healthcare packaging market forecasts to 2031 by pack format, end use and region, covering blisters, fluid bags, laminates and rigid films.

  • The global healthcare packaging market is worth just over $34 billion in 2026 and is forecast to grow at 5.9% a year to exceed $45 billion by 2031
  • Fluid bags and systems are the largest sector by value, accounting for almost 58% of the global market in 2026
  • Asia-Pacific is the largest regional market for healthcare packaging, accounting for 33.3% of global value in 2026 and rising to 36.2% by 2031.

Healthcare packaging is growing fast, driven by patient safety, demographic change, regulatory compliance and innovation in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Fluid bags and systems are by far the largest sector, accounting for more than half of the market by value. Within that sector, bioprocess single-use systems are growing fastest. Blister film is the second largest sector, and laminates also make up a significant share. PFAS legislation is slowing growth in some blister materials, while ageing populations and rising use of medicines for chronic conditions continue to drive demand.

Drawing on extensive research across the value chain, including pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers and users, this definitive report provides market sizes and forecasts by substrate, product, end use and geography. It is essential reading for material suppliers, converters, brand owners and investors looking to identify the highest-growth opportunities and plan with confidence for the regulatory and market changes ahead.

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED WITHIN THIS REPORT

  • How are changing regulations affecting the healthcare packaging market?
  • Is healthcare packaging influenced by sustainability in the same way as the wider packaging market?
  • How should the industry prepare for demographic change?
  • Which pack formats offer the strongest growth opportunities to 2031?

MEET THE EXPERTS

Colin Reed specialises in pharmaceutical and medical device packaging, across areas including drug delivery, diagnostics and biotech. He helps companies to navigate regulation, competition, sustainability, digital connectivity, patient centricity and wider market trends. Colin has guided high-profile clients to achieve their business goals, drawn on networks across Europe and Asia to drive sustainable growth and advised global organisations on investment opportunities.

Philippa Davies has over 30 years of experience as a writer, editor and price reporter, specialising in commodities markets. She has been involved in monitoring, reporting on and analysing trends in chemical intermediates markets, including acrylic acid and esters, biomaterials, polyurethanes, and coatings for packaging, in the US, Asia and Europe. Philippa has authored a number of packaging reports for Smithers and her research has been used in other Smithers projects within the packaging, pulp and barrier coatings sectors.

Get in touch

Bill Allen

Bill Allen

Head of Sales – Europe and Middle East, Smithers Information Division

Contact Bill
Sean Walsh

Sean Walsh

Business Development Manager, Smithers Information Division

Contact Sean