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USA leads medical device packaging demand set to rise 5.9% pa through 2017 globally

USA leads medical device packaging demand set to rise 5.9% pa through 2017 globally

World demand for medical device packaging is projected to increase 5.9% pa to US$25.7 bln in 2017, as per Freedonia. Reflecting the operation of advanced and diversified medical product industries, USA, Western Europe and Japan will continue to account for almost 60% of the total market. However, demand in these countries will expand below the average global pace as intensifying health care cost containment pressures and fierce multiple supplier competition weaken growth prospects for medical device production and heighten the price sensitivity of their producers to packaging costs. The fastest expanding medical device packaging markets will emerge in India, Mexico, China and the more prosperous Africa/Mideast countries, where diversification, expansion, and stricter regulation of medical product industries are raising the quality and functional requirements of containers and related accessories. The US will continue to be the largest market for medical device packaging, as its advanced medical product producers commercialize new high value-added supplies, instruments and equipment with specialized packaging needs. Gains in West European and Japanese demand will also benefit from new product introductions, as well as from the upgrading of government and industry standards covering the barrier, security and tracking properties of medical device packaging. In the developing world, China will provide the largest and broadest sales opportunities for medical device containers and related accessories due to burgeoning domestic and export markets for its medical goods. Spurred by rising internal and external investment, China is evolving into a leading worldwide developer and supplier of technologically advanced medical products. Containers will make up about 80% of medical device packaging demand through 2017 and beyond. Based on adaptability to cost effective infection-resistant and security-enhanced formats, pouches and trays will continue to lead sales among container types. Growth in pouch demand will reflect ongoing advances in strength, puncture resistance and barrier properties, which will expand applications in the packaging of small- to medium-sized supplies and devices, including sharps. Multiple compartment trays will build sales as they virtually eliminate the risk of staff errors and the spread of infectious agents during the preparation of products for surgery and various other patient procedures. Clamshell packs will also fare well in the global marketplace as they match or exceed all the advantages of rigid trays while offering greater protection against product damage during transport and storage. Among other medical device containers, blister packs and glass vials will account for the fastest expanding demand: the former from applications in the packaging of contact lenses; the latter from applications in the packaging of diagnostic reagents and related substances. By contrast, bags, which are used primarily for the packaging of large and odd-sized products, will decelerate based on the downsizing and miniaturization of many medical supplies and devices. Demand for boxes will also slow as cost considerations erode some secondary packaging. The fastest gains among medical device packaging accessories will be seen in high visibility labels and tamper-evident and other security accessories. Demand for these products will benefit from more strict government regulations and industry standards covering the safety, security, and functional features of medical device containers.

The market for medical device packaging in North America is highly competitive with large number of participants vying to establish their presence. Recent times have seen increase in demand for surgical and implant devices which is consecutively driving this market. The continuous technological advancements in medical device market coupled with rising ageing population provide wide opportunities for growth in medical device packaging market, as per Frost & Sullivan. A report reveals that the market earned revenues of US$569 mln in 2006 and is estimated to reach US$918.8 mln in 2013. "The demand for implants is anticipated to encourage the use of rigid packaging materials such as trays, which is likely to boost the revenues of rigid packagers," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Urmila Kishore. "The medical device packaging industry is directly dependant on the medical device industry. According to a recent study, the medical device market is expected to grow by approximately 11% from 2005 to 2011 due to growing ageing population and increased awareness of diseases. Packaging forms an integrated and vital component in the medical device market. Medical devices are packaged in order to maintain sterility and to provide effective protection to the product. The North American medical device packaging market is experiencing steady growth with the rise in demand for medical devices in the healthcare sector coupled with greater focus on R&D to provide innovative, customized, and cost-effective packaging solutions to their customers. Cost reduction is one of the major challenges faced by the healthcare market. Market participants such as device manufacturers are finding it difficult to maintain profitability amidst the increased raw material, transportation, and production costs. This forces device manufacturers to demand packaging manufacturers to supply products at lower costs. To meet this requirement, packaging manufacturers need to develop new packaging materials and packages that deliver optimum performance at a reduced cost. Other challenges faced by North American medical device packaging companies include coping with emerging trends in the medical device market. For example, the introduction of combinational drug delivery devices, is posing major challenge to packagers to come up with new innovative packaging that suit the products." The success of a company primarily depends on the technological investments, as well as the provision of good service and technical support to the customers. Therefore, it is necessary for packaging companies to have consistent product innovation featured with excellent customer service facilities.

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