Functional Packaging
Unlike most other sectors, growth and development in the pharma industry is rarely driven by consumer demand, particularly in the area of packaging. Functionality has reigned over aesthetic appeal, with little packaging innovation.
This trend may be changing, as the growing influx of people aged 65 and older is expected to more than double from now through 2060 in the United States, increasing the need for easy-to-open packaging. The US population of nearly 100 million elderly will drive creative package design to balance the convenience needs of older or impaired consumers with product quality and tamper prevention.
Innovation
Due to its conservative nature and the need to comply with strict regulatory oversight, the pharmaceutical industry sector is traditionally the slowest to adopt new technology - which is typically adapted from the food and beverage industry or others that more readily embrace new technology.
Despite this scenario, the pharma sector is credited with developing a new and innovative packaging machinery without electrical cabinets, or cabinet-less machinery. Simplified by having the servo modules within the decentralized control architecture, this significantly reduces the number of electronic parts resulting in lower maintenance costs, greater efficiency, and the ability to use identical system parts.
Source: PMMI Business Intelligence, “Five Factors Spur Growth in Pharmaceutical Packaging and Processing Equipment.” Download this FREE white paper here.
Learn more about Pharmaceutical packaging and processing at Healthcare Packaging EXPO and PACK EXPO International, October 14 – 17, 2018, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL.
