A growing emphasis on healthcare cost controls is helping to increase the use of plastics in packaging. By 2009, the plastic healthcare packaging market in North America is projected to reach 3.2 billion lb according to Business Communications Co., Inc. (BCC).
In its December report, RP-107N Plastics for Healthcare Packaging, BCC says that number represents a 4.9% annual growth from 2004's estimate of 2.5 million lb of plastics used in this market. As the attached chart shows, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and high-density polyethylene led the way.
The trends increasing plastic packaging demand included an increased use of disposable products, an aging population, cost pressures on suppliers, the increasing influence of hospital and healthcare-related purchasing groups, a continued shift to outside contract packaging, and a greater emphasis on child-resistant/senior-friendly and tamper-evident packaging.
The RP-107N report is available for $3,850 from Business Communications Company, Inc., 25 Van Zant Street, Norwalk, CT 06855, or call 203/853-4266 or e-mail publisher@bccresearch.com.
