Life Sciences Outpace Other Industries in Investments and SKUs

Regulatory standards worldwide and the focus on population health management are a few of the drivers for this expansion.

Keren SookneDirector of Editorial Content, Healthcare Packaging

Mar 1st, 2022

1 Life Sciences Outpace Getty Images 1268181219 5ff355b31cd73

COVID-19 has spurred the need for new production and packaging lines, but it’s not the only driver of growth. “Throughout 2021, PMMI’s Quarterly Business Indicator showed steady growth in the Pharmaceutical/Medical Devices industry outpacing all other industries. Expansion in equipment investments and SKUs manufactured continue to be on the rise and should maintain this pace moving into 2022,” says Paula Feldman, Senior Director, PMMI Business Intelligence.

“Advances in regulatory standards worldwide and the focus on population health management are a few of the drivers for this expansion. In addition, the uptick in the demand for over-the-counter medicines and a more informed customer base are also impacting market growth.”

Download PMMI’s complimentary economic reports here.

Pizza Hut and Pac Man's arcade box collaboration

Package Design Innovating to Match New Consumer Trends

Consumer trends have shifted in the past few years, and many businesses are adapting their product packaging to meet these new priorities.

Hero Beach Club uses Public Goods’ non-toxic body lotion, hand soap, conditioner, shampoo, and body wash products in 12-oz refillable bottles made from 90% sugarcane-based bioplastic.

Refillable Personal Care Products a Boon for Boutique Hotel

Fitting both the aesthetics and the eco-friendly vibe of boutique hotel Hero Beach Club, Public Goods personal care products in reusable, bio-based packaging adorn each room of the premium establishment.

Insights from Circularity 22 and E-Pack Europe

After a two-year COVID hiatus, Circularity and E-Pack Europe conferences go live, with content on advanced recycling and sustainable packaging for e-commerce, respectively.

CorkConcept multi-density cork diffusing plate technology for insulated packaging.

Companies Find Innovative and Sustainable Ways to Protect and Preserve Products

See a few examples of product protection and preservation innovations from ThePackHub’s June Packaging Innovation Briefing Report.

Public Goods’ refillable 12-oz containers are HDPE, approximately 90% of which comes from Braskem’s I’m Green sugarcane-based PE.

Hotel Toiletries in Bioplastic Packaging Serve the Eco-Friendly Traveler

Public Goods offers a line of toxin-free personal care products in bioplastic packaging, some of which is reusable/refillable, for hoteliers looking to meet guests’ growing sustainability preferences.

Transit Packaging “Sets the Table” for Your Next BBQ

Transit Packaging “Sets the Table” for Your Next BBQ

Whether it’s spending time in a pool or in a lake, summer BBQs are in full swing. However, everything you need for an outdoor gathering must first make a full transit packaging journey.

Nourished’s personalized vitamins and Life-stacks are 3D printed to layer different “mixes” of active ingredients, which are specifically suited to the consumer's individual requirements.

Nourished’s 3D-printed Supplement Stacks Deliver Personalized Nutrients

Based on a consumer questionnaire, ingredients are printed in stacks on in-house developed tech to offer a bespoke 28-day supply. The resulting colorful, customized gummies are packed in home-compostable wrap in a letterbox-friendly carton.

Spending Forecast for Cobots

Over 50% of CPGs to Increase Cobot Spending

The suspected surge in cobot spending comes at a time when companies are just starting to grasp how to take advantage of them.

Screen Shot 2022 06 28 At 4 35 23 Pm

unPACKed podcast: Ripe Opportunity for OEMs in Pharma Market

Hear Donna Ritson discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted pharmaceutical production and how that disruption affected, but could ultimately benefit, the industry.

DHL on E-Commerce Growth: Don’t Ship Air by Air

As a courier, 3PL, and “in-Distribution Center (in-DC)” contract packager, DHL, especially DHL Supply Chain, occupies a unique space in e-comm and packaging.

Printed paperboard means no need for labels or labeling equipment.

World’s First Tequila in Paperboard ‘Bag-in-Bottle’ Design

Distilled in Jalisco, Mexico, and launching in Sweden, Buen Vato is the world’s first tequila in a bottle-shaped paperboard container and 750-mL metalized PET pouch, made from 84% recycled material.

Veo Robotics’ FreeMove system being tested with an ABB robot in a palletizing operation.

Industrial Cobot Technology Comes to Palletizing Operations

Veo Robotics’ partnership with Gray Solutions is designed to make industrial robot palletizing systems collaborative for the consumer packaged goods industry.

Three OSARO robotic bagging systems will take on the responsibility of readying eyewear orders for shipment to Zenni's U.S. customers.

D2C Zenni Optical Eyes E-Comm Fulfillment Automation with Robot/Bagger Combo

Three robotic bagging systems are to be deployed at Zenni’s Northern California customer fulfillment center. The job description calls for visual acuity, precision, dexterity, and tireless work ethic. Robots have that market practically cornered.

Chicago-based manufacturer Closet Works, a subsidiary of The Container Store, offers premium custom-made closets and organization systems.

New Stretch Wrapper for Closet Works Shuts the Door on Freight Damage

A new portable stretch wrapper with roping device helps custom closet company Closet Works reduce damaged shipments from one per week to one or less a month.

Cobot Explosion on Horizon

CPG Cobot Use Expected to At Least Double in Next Five Years

CPGs predict cobot usage in packaging will more than double in the next five years, with processing use expected to triple according to PMMI report.

Hotel Toiletries in Bioplastics Serve the Eco-Friendly Traveler

One CPG, Public Goods, is helping hotels avoid single-use plastics with a reusable, refillable toiletry solution. Also featured: Digital printing technology has exceeded being useful only for sales samples and regional event personalization.

Emerging Brands Summit

Emerging Brands Summit Launches at PACK EXPO International

Equipping brands with the resources to scale manufacturing and properly process and package new products.

The new Nordic Criteria were presented by Susanne Backer, senior consultant, circular economy, procurement and clinical engineering, Central Denmark region, at LyondellBasell’s Advancing Quality Healthcare Event.

New Nordic Sustainability Criteria Poised to Expand in Europe

Released in March 2022, the Common Nordic Criteria for more Sustainable Packaging in Healthcare were developed by stakeholders with the aim of reducing material waste, increasing recycling, and increasing the usage of recycled or renewable materials.

A panel of four brands at the recent Digital Print for Packaging US conference were introduced to the part that digital printing can play to help CPG companies reach their sustainability goals.

Conference Report: Digital Print’s Potential to Boost Sustainability

Industry experts outline the sustainability benefits of choosing digital printing, and how to convince brands to adopt the technology.

Screen Shot 2022 06 21 At 1 11 32 Pm

Revived EXPO PACK México Returns, Stronger Than Ever

The show’s return provided the Latin American packaging and processing industry with four days of intense business activity around innovative technologies and unmatched networking opportunities.

More in Home

Styx Cotc Band V4 5x7 R1

PACK gives BACK is Back at PACK EXPO International

Chicago's own legendary STYX brings over four decades of hits for a good cause.

Companies Innovate With Compostable and Bio-Based Packaging

See a few examples of naturally sourced and compostable packaging innovations from ThePackHub’s June Packaging Innovation Briefing Report.

J&J Chief Medical Officer Talks Package Design Considerations

In part 2 of this two-part series, we delve into design considerations, including caregiver burnout, as well as some of Dr. Kuffner’s tips for those within and outside the packaging community to prevent unsupervised medication ingestions in kids.

Coca-Cola’s Cloeann Durham details the beverage giant’s sustainability initiatives at ISBT’s annual BevTech meeting.

Coca-Cola Targets Sustainability From Every Angle

As the beverage giant takes aim at climate, water, recycling, and other initiatives, it’s relying more than ever on a science-based approach. Data is all you really have to tell your story, says Coca-Cola’s Cloeann Durham.

unPACKed Podcast: A Path for Women in Packaging and Processing

unPACKed Podcast: A Path to Success for Women in Packaging and Processing

Hear success stories, inspiration, and tips that will help and encourage women currently in the industry and offer guidance for young women looking to manufacturing as a career.

FR!SKA™ Men’s Daily Enzyme + Probiotic Support Capsules

2022 OTC Package Design Gallery: Part 2

Each year, Healthcare Packaging evaluates an array of over-the-counter product packaging designs, assessing the pros and cons from a user perspective.

Brent Lindberg, founder and Head of Curiosity, Fuseneo

Planning Your E-Comm Package’s Funeral: Considerations for Designing for End of Life

Fuseneo’s Brent Lindberg advises E-Pack Europe attendees on how to design packaging for composting, reuse, and especially recycling, rather than for burial in a landfill.

New PACK EXPO Competition Challenges Student Creativity

Hands-on experience is the name of the PACK Challenge game

Reusable & Refillable E-Commerce Packaging Solutions

Companies are searching for sustainable e-commerce innovations to meet growing demand. Packaging World's Matt Reynolds and U.K. sustainable packaging expert Paul Jenkins of ThePackHub discuss a trend known as 're-commerce.'

Jeremy Long, Senior Manager, Product Management, Customer Packaging Experience, Amazon

Amazon: Transformational Change in E-comm Packaging Begins Upstream

At E-Pack Europe 2022, Amazon’s Jeremy Long explains how true innovation around e-commerce packaging requires an upstream strategy that involves both the product and the packaging.

Cybersecurity: Assess Your Risk White Paper

Cybersecurity Roundup: Med Device, Packaging Ops, and Industrial Control

Essential businesses and connected devices are under increasing threats domestically and globally. Check out 9 recent articles.

EPS-Free Packaging Passes the Test for Heavy, Fragile Windows

The shift to paper-based packaging from EPS for sustainability purposes is common these days, but it’s noteworthy in this case since the products are notoriously heavy, unwieldy, and highly breakable glass windows and frames.