Europe Pharmaceutical Glass Packaging - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

The Europe Pharmaceutical Glass Packaging Market size is estimated at USD 7.40 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 9.36 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 4.81% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

The market is growing due to major vital factors, such as the continuously increasing demand for healthcare products. The region is focused on pharmaceutical R&D, production, and sales of medicines. The market is driven by demographic change, a rise in chronic diseases, and an increasing focus on prevention and self-medication.

Key Highlights

• Rising life expectancy and an aging population have boosted the demand for some drugs, particularly those for degenerative diseases. Over the past decade, the industry has evolved, with small biotech start-ups being spun out of universities and a growing number of collaborations between industry players.
• The aging population often experiences a higher prevalence of degenerative diseases, leading to an increased demand for pharmaceuticals. Vials and ampoules are crucial in packaging and delivering medications, especially for conditions associated with aging. As the demand for drugs rises, so does the need for suitable packaging solutions, contributing to the vial and ampoules market growth.
• According to FEVE, in 2023, the Federation of European Manufacturers of Glass containers has a membership that collectively churns out over 20 million tonnes of glass annually. With 60 corporate members, they are part of nearly 20 distinct groups. Spread across 23 European States, these manufacturing plants include global blue-chip giants and significant players catering to the world's leading consumer brands. The region's wide glass container manufacturing sector would leverage the pharmaceutical glass packaging market.
• Further, according to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), in 2023, medicines constitute, on average, 18.4% of health expenditures in Europe on pharmaceuticals and other medical goods. For costly diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, medicines account for close to 20% of the total disease costs. Medicines can also generate additional savings, for instance, by substantially reducing costs in other areas of healthcare, including hospital stays and long-term care costs.
• Traditionally, glass was the preferred material for pharmaceutical packaging. However, due to raw material prices and other factors, these materials became expensive over time and could not provide economically viable solutions for packaging products for mass consumption. That marked the advent of plastics as an option in the pharmaceutical industry, which might hinder the market's growth in glass packaging.

Europe Pharmaceutical Glass Packaging Market Trends

Germany is Expected to Have a Significant Share in the Market

• Germany stands out as one of the global leaders in pharmaceutical and life sciences. It boasts one of Europe's largest pharmaceutical markets, hosts numerous industry frontrunners, nurtures a burgeoning biotech landscape, and operates a robust public healthcare system. Responding to the surging global demand for personalized medicine, Germany emerged as a critical player in producing cutting-edge biopharmaceuticals.
• The demand for pharmaceuticals in Germany is intricately tied to its shifting demographics. With a progressively aging population, there's a heightened need for medical interventions, especially in managing chronic and mobility-related ailments. While these demographic shifts present opportunities for niche and generic drug manufacturers, the stringent regulatory environment in Germany is compelling the pharmaceutical sector to recalibrate pricing strategies, ensuring broader market accessibility.
• The German government is discussing a new Pharma Strategy with several reforms to enhance the conditions for the pharmaceutical industry in Germany. Recently, in Strategy Paper 4.0 - Improving the General Conditions for the Pharmaceutical Sector in Germany, the government is strengthening pharmaceutical research and production to enhance market access and pricing.
• These initiatives are poised to resonate across the life sciences sector, vowing faster clinical trial approvals, swifter access to cutting-edge medicines, heightened digitalization, bolstered supply security, an environment more conducive to investments, and a streamlined bureaucracy. Also, according to Statistisches Bundesamt, the revenue of wholesale pharmaceutical goods in Germany is expected to reach USD 220.34 billion in 2024, and it has increased from USD 209.2 billion in 2021. An increase in revenue from pharmaceutical goods would leverage the glass packaging.
• Additionally, Bayer is developing the Solida-1 pharmaceutical facility in Leverkusen, Germany, to produce solid pharmaceutical products. The company invested EUR 275 million (USD 286.98 million) in the facility. Construction of the facility began in 2020, and a topping-up ceremony was held in May 2022. The facility is expected to start operations in 2024. The Solida-1 facility will be the world's most modern pharmaceutical plant, focusing on producing drugs for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Growing Traction of Pharmaceutical Glass Packaging in the Region

• The European pharmaceutical glass industry is known for its innovation and research and is a crucial driver of growth in the region. With billions allocated to R&D and a substantial workforce dedicated to these endeavors, the UK is actively bolstering its pharmaceutical pipeline. This presents a lucrative opportunity for glass vial and ampoule vendors.
• Moreover, as the pharmaceutical market expands, so does the region's demand for pharmaceutical glass packaging. Players introduce a variety of glass packaging products, including ampoules, vials, and syringes, and they scale up their manufacturing capabilities and product portfolios.
• The government's focus on ensuring access to innovative medicines may lead to increased research and development activities in the pharmaceutical sector. This could result in the development of new and advanced pharmaceutical packaging solutions, including glass vials and ampoules with improved features to meet the industry's evolving needs.
• The French government's plan to restore the production of essential medicines as part of its broader effort to ensure access to a wide range of products, including pharmaceuticals and medical devices, can have several implications for the pharmaceutical glass packaging market in France.
• In June 2023, the French government announced its reshoring plan to restructure the production of critical medicines. Reshoring is part of a more significant effort to ensure patient access to all medical products, including new drugs and equipment, and the 'established or older products that may be adversely affected by future shortages. Reshoring the production of essential medicines implies an increased focus on domestic manufacturing. This could lead to a rise in demand for packaging materials, including pharmaceutical glass vials and ampoules, to accommodate the increased production of medicines.
• Moreover, the market is expected to grow with a focus on developing new medicines. According to EFPIA, the number of drugs approved by the EMA available to patients, Germany took the top position with 147 approved medicines in 2023, followed by Italy, Austria, and other countries. An increase in medications might propel glass packaging in the pharmaceutical sector across the region.

Europe Pharmaceutical Glass Packaging Industry Overview

The European pharmaceutical glass packaging market is fragmented due to the presence of players like Bormioli Pharma SpA Inc., SGD SA, Schott AG, and Stolzle Oberglas GmbH, upscaling the market with substantial R&D investments, driving toward sustainability and digitization of the packaging industry in Europe.

• January 2024 - SCHOTT Pharma, a pharmaceutical drug containment solutions and delivery systems company, launched glass vials optimized for deep-cold drug storage. SCHOTT Pharma's EVERIC freeze vials feature increased strength to maximize glass tubing, vial geometry, and the production process. The company's scientific strength tests have revealed that the new vials outperform standard vials, making them a reliable solution for frozen medications used to treat diseases, cancer, and central nervous system disorders.
• January 2024 - Bormioli Pharma, headquartered in Italy, reported a substantial 47% surge in its North American sales. This growth is attributed to the company's strategic enhancements in infrastructure and production capacity, notably the rising demand for glass vials.

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