Pharmaceutical Contract Packaging Market Report 2026

The pharmaceutical contract packaging market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $34.1 billion in 2025 to $37.05 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in pharmaceutical manufacturing output, rising complexity of drug packaging requirements, increasing need for cost optimization, expansion of generic drug production, demand for contamination free packaging solutions.

The pharmaceutical contract packaging market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $50.75 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growth of biopharmaceutical and vaccine production, increasing regulatory emphasis on serialization, rising demand for cold chain compatible packaging, expansion of global pharmaceutical supply chains, growing focus on patient centric packaging designs. Major trends in the forecast period include growing outsourcing of pharmaceutical packaging operations, rising demand for high quality blister and unit dose packaging, increasing focus on regulatory compliant packaging solutions, expansion of serialization and track and trace packaging, higher adoption of flexible and scalable contract packaging services.

Growth in the elderly population is expected to support the expansion of the pharmaceutical contract packaging market in the coming years. The elderly population includes individuals aged 65 and above. As this demographic grows, manufacturers are increasingly required to design packaging that is easier to open while still remaining child-resistant, which can raise costs and influence sustainability considerations. For example, in July 2024, according to the UK Parliament's House of Commons Library, the UK had 12.7 million people aged 65 or older in 2022, accounting for 19% of the population. By 2072, this figure is projected to reach 22.1 million, representing 27% of the population. Thus, the increasing elderly population is driving the pharmaceutical contract packaging market.

Major companies in the pharmaceutical contract packaging market are prioritizing innovative solutions such as modular filling and capping platforms to improve efficiency, adaptability, and scalability in packaging operations. These platforms are customizable systems that integrate filling, capping, and quality control within a single line, allowing manufacturers to adjust quickly to different products and container types, reduce setup time, conserve space, and enhance overall productivity. For instance, in August 2025, Rotzinger PharmaPack, a Switzerland-based contract packaging firm, introduced the VarioFill platform, an advanced filling and capping solution suitable for over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, cosmetic liquids and creams, and solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules. VarioFill’s modular design enables manufacturers to reconfigure or expand the system with various modules for different product types, container shapes, and closure methods, providing over 50% space savings compared to traditional lines. The platform includes gentle transport via universal grippers, seal-free rotary piston pumps for liquid dosing, tablet and capsule counters, and fully automated cleaning-in-place (CIP) functionality, ensuring product quality and operational efficiency.

In September 2025, Praxis Packaging Solutions, a US-based healthcare technology and contract packaging provider, acquired Advanced Concept Innovations, LLC for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition allows Praxis to expand its presence in the Southeastern United States and strengthen its packaging capabilities across diverse healthcare and consumer markets. Advanced Concept Innovations, LLC is a US-based contract packaging company offering solutions for medical devices, over-the-counter products, consumer goods, health and beauty items, and domestic manufacturing of surgical N95 respirators.

Major companies operating in the pharmaceutical contract packaging market are Nipro Corporation, Daito Pharmaceutical Co Ltd., Pfizer CentreOne, Catalent Inc., WestRock Company, BALL CORPORATION, Berlin Packaging, CCL Industries Inc., Co-Pak Packaging Corporation, Signode India Limited, Ropack Pharma Solutions, Reelvision Print Limited, PCI Pharma Services, Multi-Pack Solutions LLC, Unicep Packaging Inc, Reed-Lane Inc., Aphena Pharma Solutions Holdings Inc., Southwest Packaging and Supply Corporation, Almac Group Limited, AmeriPac Inc, Assemblies Unlimited Inc., CentralPharma, DaklaPack Filling & Packaging, DelobrisPharmaceuticals Limited, Elitefill Inc., Finishing Services Inc., Jones Packaging Inc., LABO S.R.L., MJS Packaging Inc., MPH Co-Packing LLC, Nelipak B.V., Pharma Packaging Solutions LLC, Sepha Limited, SternMaid GmbH.

North America was the largest region in the pharmaceutical contract packaging market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the pharmaceutical contract packaging market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the pharmaceutical contract packaging market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the pharmaceutical contract packaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The pharmaceutical contract packaging market includes revenues earned by entities in different categories, such as drug labelling and packaging. The services provided by a contract pharmaceutical packager include designing medicine packaging and testing the packed drug. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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