Opportunities for Blister Packaging
The Global Blister Packaging market is anticipated o grow at CAGR 5.8$5 and reach a market size worth the US$13.233 billion by the end of 2026. The market was valued at the US$9.402 billion in 2019. The prime region driving the growth in this market is the growing demand for safe storage containers in the food and pharmaceutical industry. Blister packs keep the content the same and uncontaminated, without interfering with the chemical structure. Moreover, these packs are convenient for transportation and are handy.
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Blaster packaging employs plastic sheets that are heated and molded in form of a bubble, or a pocket, completely covering the product. Blister packaging is flexible, i.e. it can take any shape and size, hence also used in Toys and electronic industries to pack action figures, stationery, toothbrushes, batteries, wires, etc. Some blister packaging uses a cardboard base, over which the product is placed, and plastic is used to cover the content. Clamshell packaging is a type of blister packaging that uses a plastic back that is hinged to the front, either at the side of the pack or at the bottom.
Pros and Cons of Blister Packaging
Since made of plastic, blister packaging is lighter in weight, making the content easy to carry and transport. Further, this alternative of packaging protects the content from damage and keeps it clean. Owing to health concerns, it is crucial to keep the product clean, especially food, beverage, and pharmaceutical. Any contamination may severely harm the consumer. Blister packaging is safe and ensures decontamination, hence giving it an edge over its alternatives. Medicine bottles, for instance, keep all the medicine piled. While consumption, every pill gets exposed to the external environment and human interaction, which may spoil the pills. Further, there’s always a fear of mishandling, that may pollute the pills. Blister packaging, however, packs each pill in a separate bubble, which is consumed one at a time, without interaction with other pills. Further, blister packaging is economical and helps in maintaining a medical routine. The packing is also visually impactful, as consumers can see the content clearly through transparent plastic packaging. It also makes locating defects easier.
However, blister packaging costs more than its alternatives and takes more time to produce. Also, the use of plastic in the packaging may raise environmental concerns. though the plastic used in blister packaging is recyclable, if not handled properly, it may cause pollution.
Compartment Type Blister Packaging Dominates the Market and Is Forecasted to Remain So in the Forecasted Period
There are three major types of blister packaging- compartment, slide, and wallet. Of these, the compartment style of packaging holds 50% of the blister packaging market. Owing to its high-end product display capability, this form of packaging is expected to dominate the market. Compartment blister packaging is commonly used in FMCG and pharmaceutical sectors. Slide style blister packaging comes along with cardboard or plastic back and is expected to grow at a noteworthy rate. This type is widely used in the packaging of toys and some electronic goods such as wires and batteries.
Wallet blister packaging is estimated to grow at the fastest rate, due to its growing adoption in clinical trials, drug promotions, and packaging of pharmaceutical products. Blister wallet also provides additional space to convey necessary information regarding the product.
Thermoformed Blister Packaging Leads the Market
Thermoformed blister packaging holds a significant market share owing to its cost-effectiveness and ease of production. This technology of blister packaging is widely used in the packaging of food and pharmaceutical products. Consumer goods are also expected to adopt this technology, increasing the market growth for this segment. Further, good growth in the FMCG market has huge potential for the market.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Material Compete to Grab the Market of Blister Packaging
Both PVC and PET are used in blister packaging and compete to grab a greater market share. While PET transparent and facilitate better examination of the content, PVC is slightly transparent, and may at the time appear light yellow. Yet, PVC is a prominent player in the packaging material market as it exhibits excellent thermoformability along with good flexible strength, chemical resistance, and easy tenability. Moreover, PVC shows low permeability to oil and fats. However, disposable and recycling of both, PET and PVC is a reason for environmental concern. Other packaging alternative includes PP and Aluminum. The market for this segment is predicted to grow at a noteworthy rate, owing to their sustainability.
Geographical Insights
Geographically, the Asia Pacific Global blister packaging market is anticipated to dominate the market at growing at an exponential rate during the forecasted period. The region constituted around 40% o the blister packaging market in the year 2020. Rapid urbanization, rising disposable income, better standards of life, and increasing manufacturing industry, particularly in China, India, South Korea, and Japan, are driving the market.
The United States holds a significant share in the North American region, as a result of rising health concerns and government regulation. The country’s health authority Department of Health and Human services passed a regulation, reducing the out-of-pocket expenditure with lowering drug prices. Further, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) implemented regulation, mandating unit dose packaging along with barcodes to reduce dispensing errors.
Covid Insights
The coronavirus pandemic has a significant impact on the blister packaging market. The spread of viruses through many biotic and abiotic means has raised the safety standards for packaging. Consumers prefer tight seal packaging so that the external environment cannot interfere with the interior content. Hence the pandemic has opened opportunities for the blister packaging market.
