August 2025
The global corrugated packaging for pharmaceutical market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 6.54%, from USD 9.12 billion in 2025 to USD 16.13 billion by 2034, over the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The rising demand for eco-friendly packaging, which can preserve the integrity of pharmaceutical products for a longer period, has influenced the growth in the global corrugated packaging for pharmaceutical market. This market is dominating in the North America region due to the presence of major pharmaceutical companies and strict regulatory guidelines.
The global corrugated packaging for pharmaceutical market focuses on corrugated board boxes used for secondary packaging of pharmaceutical products, such as vials, tablets, injectables, and medical devices. These corrugated boxes offer strength, stability, and moisture protection and are often enhanced with anti-tamper features, printed instructions, or cold-chain compatibility. Their advantages in sustainability, cost-efficiency, and regulatory compliance make them the preferred choice in pharma logistics.
The incorporation of AI in the global corrugated packaging for the pharmaceutical market plays an important role in increasing efficiency, equality, and sustainability of the packages. It enhances the productivity of the market by monitoring the safety and integrity while manufacturing this packaging. AI can predict market trends and design unique patterns of corrugated packaging that raise the adoption of such packaging for pharmaceutical products. It controls the quality of the production, which enhances the reliability of the packages.
Growing Adoption of Eco-friendly Packaging in the Pharmaceutical Industry
The rising ecological issue and consumer awareness have encouraged the usage of eco-friendly packaging for developing pharmaceutical products, which further enhances the global corrugated packaging for the pharmaceutical market. Corrugated packaging delivers benefits like superior recyclability, lightweight properties, and durability, which bring into line with the pharmaceutical industry’s requirement for safe and environment-conscious resolutions.
The rising pharmaceutical sector, especially in emerging regions, has seen a yearly upsurge in demand for sustainable packaging choices, accompanied by progressions in logistics and e-commerce that have sharpened the requirement for strong packaging to avoid product injury during transportation. Furthermore, discriminating customer consciousness about drug security and quality additional to supporting the fondness for corrugated packaging, shows that customers are more expected to select products with sustainable packing.
Increasing Demand for Temperature-Controlling Packaging
The increasing demand for temperature-controlled packaging in the pharmaceutical industry has hindered the demand for global corrugated packaging for the pharmaceutical market. The constant disruption of the supply chain distribution has decreased the expansion of the market. The growing operational charges because of the requirement for specialized testing tools have decreased the expansion of the market.
Rising Protective Packaging
The growing demand for protective packaging is boosting the global corrugated packaging for pharmaceutical market. The increasing importance of ecological sustainability and the acceptance of biodegradable resources are generating an abundant ground for invention in corrugated packaging. Pharmaceutical corporations are shifting in the direction of environment-friendly packaging to fulfill regulatory needs and customer preferences, providing producers with the options to grow advanced, lightweight, and recyclable corrugated materials.
The rising e-commerce segment, which demands safe and strong packaging to confirm product security during transportation, offers a substantial development avenue for this industry. This extension is generating a demand for pharmaceutical packing that fulfils international values of quality and security. The requirement to provide to these developing markets is reassuring packaging corporations to capitalize on new production services and develop packing solutions that are both cost-effective and compliant with worldwide values.
The Regular Slotted Container (RSC) segment contributed a considerable share of the global corrugated packaging for the pharmaceutical market in 2024 due to e-commerce expansion, effective, and affordable packaging demand. The growing availability of material efficacy, sustainability, and automated packaging processes has raised the demand for this segment. Repeated process results in bulk production of packages with the help of advanced technology. The growing demand for sustainable packaging in the pharmaceutical sector has influenced the demand for this segment.
The die-cut / sleeve-style boxes segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. The increasing demand for customization options has influenced the market to generate unique packaging for pharmaceutical usage. The acceptance of smart packaging resolution, comprising temperature sensors and QR codes, has raised innovation in this market.
The single-wall corrugated segment is expected to account for a considerable share of the global corrugated packaging for pharmaceutical market in 2024 due to the growing demand for enhanced protection and cost-efficacy. The rapid expansion of telemedicine supply and sustainable packaging has influenced the demand for such segment, which provides superior quality protection to the products. Strict packaging guidelines have also increased the inclination of brands towards single-wall corrugated packaging. Continuous technological advancement in this sector has raised the demand for this segment.
The double-wall for high-value/fragile goods segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. The continuous innovation in the pharmaceutical industry has enhanced the demand for extra protective packaging. These boxes are designed in a certain way where two layers of fluted cardboard are used, which increases the protection level of the products.
The tamper-evident seals segment is expected to have a considerable share of the global corrugated packaging for pharmaceutical materials market in 2024 due to rising concern for the superior quality protection of advanced medicines. The requirement for safe and consistent packaging resolution. Corrugated packaging provides safety in transporting sealed products over a certain distance and helps them to store for a prolonged period. This segment plays a significant role in secondary packing, mainly for the transportation of label seals, security tapes, and adhesive seals.
The barrier-coated boards segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. These boards provide protection from microbial activities, moisture, grease, oxygen, and many others. These are highly compostable and recyclable, which enhances the acceptance for this market. This segment is popular for secondary packaging of pharmaceutical products.
The oral solid dosage segment is expected to have a considerable share of the global corrugated packaging for pharmaceutical market in 2024 due to its enhanced strength and durability. Its strong cushioning effect helps to keep fragile containers of medicines safe while transporting or storing for a longer period. The development of the pharmaceutical e-commerce sector has influenced the demand for oral medication, which is easy to store and transport over longer distances. Oral solid dosage, such as tablets, capsules, granules, and powders, is convenient for consumption by patients and has enhanced the demand for this segment.
The injectables & biologics segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. With the expanding pharmaceutical industry, the packaging requirements of this market are also increasing. Evolving regulations for the packaging of such injectables have influenced the demand for this market. The requirement for protection from contamination due to various factors has raised the demand for corrugated packaging.
The direct to pharmaceutical OEMs segment is expected to have a considerable share of the global corrugated packaging for pharmaceutical materials market in 2024 due to its structural patterns and protective services. Suppliers sometimes customize structural patterns, brand-specific printing, regulatory-compliant materials, and protective features, which raises the demand for this segment notably. Rising e-pharmacy, sustainability trend, and regulatory demands have influenced the demand for this segment. Customized inventions like serialization-embedded cartons raised the demand for this segment.
The contract packaging & CMOs segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034. This segment is growing rapidly due to increasing demand for transit protection, regulatory compliance, and brand presentation. It is rising significantly because of the sustainability demand in the pharmaceutical packaging sector. Growing utilization of recyclable paperboard, lightweight, and biodegradable packages has raised the demand for this segment.
North America region held the largest share of the global corrugated packaging for pharmaceutical materials market in 2024, due to the rising e-commerce infrastructure, which is increasing superior quality packaging. The rising pharmaceutical industry has influenced the standard packaging demand has evolved the market profoundly. The innovative packaging technology has raised the production of high-quality packages that prevent the leakage of products. The rising concentration on environment-friendly and recyclability of the packages influenced the investment in this industry.
The Asia Pacific region is estimated to grow at the fastest rate in the global corrugated packaging for pharmaceutical materials market during the forecast period. Countries such as India, Japan, China, and several others are rapidly developing their packaging standard due to the huge export business of the pharmaceutical industry. It includes contract, blister, corrugated, and primary packaging. It is developing as a lucrative market, influenced by the rapid extension of pharmaceutical production hubs.
By Box Type
By Wall Type
By Application
By Add-On Features
By Distribution Channel
By Region
August 2025
August 2025
August 2025
August 2025