According to a new technical market research report, Plastics For Healthcare Packaging from BCC Research, the U.S. market for plastic healthcare packaging is expected to reach 3.8 billion lb of products in 2010, which is expected to increase to nearly 5 billion pounds in 2015, for a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%.
The largest segment of the market, polypropylene, is expected to reach 1.3 billion lb in 2015, after increasing at a CAGR of 6.3% from the estimated 2010 total of nearly 1 billion lb.
The second-largest segment, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is expected to increase from 845 million lb in 2010 to nearly 1.1 billion lb in 2015, for a CAGR of 5%.
The third-largest segment of the market, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), is projected to reach 813 million lb in 2015, after rising at a CAGR of 5.1% from 634 million lb in 2010.
The smallest segment, which is made up of such substances as polycarbonates, nylons, copolyesters (COPEs), thermoplastic urethanes (TPUs), silicones, and acrylics, is expected to increase at a CAGR of 6.3%, from 240 million lb in 2010 to 325 million lb in 2015.
This study looks in detail at the use of plastics in the packaging of healthcare products segmented by pharmaceutical and medical packaging.
• Pharmaceutical products, which are defined as drugs in dosage forms that are purchased and consumed by individual patients, and are either prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner or are drugs that do not require a prescription and are purchased by individuals over the counter. These products are usually packaged in containers, blister packs, bags/pouches, etc.
• Medical products, used by medical practitioners themselves, in hospitals, clinics, home healthcare operations, etc. Examples are syringes, blood and intravenous solution bags, diagnostic kits, tubing, trays, and other similar items.
This study covers these changes and provides analyses and forecasts for use of different plastics in this packaging market. BCC Research may be contacted at 35 Walnut Street, Suite 100, Wellesley, MA; 866-285-7215.
