Pharma packaging shifts toward circular growth

Pharmaceutical packaging is undergoing a structural shift away from the linear take-make-dispose model, with the global circular economy market forecast to expand at 14.5% CAGR through 2034. The shift is powered by regulatory pressure, corporate ESG commitments, and consumer demand for recyclable, reusable, and bio-based materials.

Key dynamics include simplified material design for recyclability, integration of recycled plastics and glass, and closed-loop take-back systems. Players such as Amcor, SCHOTT, and Gerresheimer are investing in eco-design and next-generation materials, while Asia-Pacific’s expanding manufacturing base and policy push position it as a growth engine for sustainable packaging adoption.

Challenges remain. Complex multi-layer blister packs, gaps in recycling infrastructure, and stringent validation requirements continue to slow uptake. Yet momentum is building, with pilots in glass recycling and chemically recycled plastics demonstrating pathways to scale.

Read the full article to see how circular packaging could redefine competitive advantage in pharma.