Plastics in US healthcare packaging set to rise

The US group forecasts this amount to increase to nearly 5 billion pounds in 2015, at a five-year compound annual growth rate of 5.6%.

BCC said: “In these changing times, with emphasis on healthcare cost control, plastics are increasing their penetration in packaging.”

The BCC report studies plastics in the packaging of healthcare products segmented by pharmaceutical and medical packaging. Pharmaceutical products are usually packaged in containers, blister packs, bags/pouches and other formats.

Medical products are used by medical practitioners themselves, in hospitals, clinics, home healthcare operations, and so on. Examples are syringes, blood and intravenous solution bags, diagnostic kits, tubing, trays and other similar items.

Polypropylene packaging makes up the largest segment of the market. This will reach 1.3 billion pounds in 2015, after increasing by 6.3% per annum from the estimated 2010 total of nearly 1 billion pounds.

PVC is expected to increase at 5% annually from 845 million pounds in 2010 to nearly 1.1 billion pounds in 2015.

HDPE is projected to reach 813 million pounds in 2015, after rising at 5.1% per annum from 634 million pounds in 2010.

The smallest segment, which is made up of such materials as polycarbonates, nylons, copolyesters, TPUs, silicones, and acrylics, is expected to increase at 6.3% annually, from 240 million pounds in 2010 to 325 million pounds in 2015.