Vaccine Packaging Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Material (Glass, Plastic), By Application (Vaccine Manufacturers, Healthcare providers), By Product, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Vaccine Packaging Market Size & Trends

The global vaccine packaging market size was estimated at USD 1.87 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2025 to 2030. The demand for vaccine packaging is growing globally due to a combination of public health priorities, advances in biotechnology, and the rising frequency of epidemic and pandemic outbreaks. One of the major drivers of the global vaccine packaging industry is the growing emphasis on immunization as a public health priority.

Governments around the world, often in collaboration with organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization), are undertaking large-scale vaccination drives to control or eradicate infectious diseases.

Programs targeting diseases such as polio, measles, HPV, hepatitis, influenza, and, more recently, COVID-19 and monkeypox, have led to a massive increase in vaccine production and distribution. As a result, the demand for primary packaging formats such as vials, ampules, and prefilled syringes has surged. Furthermore, secondary and tertiary packaging solutions such as insulated shipping boxes, cold chain containers, and tamper-evident outer layers are also in higher demand to ensure safety and compliance during global distribution.

Technological innovations in the pharmaceutical industry have also played a pivotal role in reshaping vaccine development and packaging. With the rise of mRNA vaccines and other biologics that require highly controlled environments, packaging must be tailored to maintain stability, sterility, and cold-chain compliance. This has led to increased demand for materials like Type I borosilicate glass vials and prefillable syringes, as well as advanced insulated boxes and smart packaging that can monitor temperature fluctuations in real time. In essence, as the science of vaccines advances, packaging technology must evolve alongside it, driving demand across both primary and secondary packaging solutions.

Regulatory compliance and quality assurance further drive demand. Governments and regulatory bodies such as the FDA, EMA, and CDSCO enforce stringent guidelines on vaccine packaging to prevent contamination, ensure accurate dosing, and support traceability through serialization. This emphasis on safety and regulatory adherence necessitates high-quality, often single-use packaging formats such as ampules and vials, contributing to steady growth in these segments. Furthermore, companies are investing in tamper-evident, anti-counterfeit, and data-integrated packaging features, adding complexity and volume to packaging needs.

The geographical expansion of healthcare infrastructure and pharmaceutical supply chains in developing countries is another critical factor. As Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America expand immunization coverage, logistics and distribution networks require reliable vaccine packaging capable of withstanding varying climate conditions and transport times. Globalization of vaccine manufacturing also means that vaccines are often transported internationally, necessitating packaging that meets diverse regulatory and environmental standards. This not only increases volume demand but also shifts packaging demand toward more versatile and durable formats.

Moreover, sustainability trends are also beginning to influence vaccine packaging choices. As the healthcare sector confronts its environmental footprint, manufacturers are exploring recyclable materials and reducing plastic content without compromising product safety. While vaccine packaging has traditionally prioritized function over sustainability, growing environmental consciousness, especially in Europe and North America, is driving R&D into greener solutions. This dual pressure to innovate in performance and environmental impact is contributing to greater complexity, higher value, and ultimately, a growing market for vaccine packaging on a global scale.

The increasing dominance of biologics, including mRNA vaccines, recombinant vaccines, and viral vector-based formulations, has significantly influenced packaging needs. These vaccines are often highly temperature-sensitive, requiring specialized packaging solutions that can maintain a strict cold chain throughout the supply and distribution process. For instance, mRNA vaccines like Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna require ultra-cold storage, which demands insulated and trackable packaging systems that preserve efficacy and integrity. This shift has created a surge in demand for high-performance materials such as borosilicate glass, high-barrier plastics, and specialized closures with high chemical resistance and sealing capability. The need to maintain stringent thermal protection and sterility is directly fueling innovation and growth in vaccine packaging formats.

Material Insights

The glass material segment recorded the largest market revenue share of over 60.7% in 2024. This is on account of properties such as its chemical inertness, which ensures that it does not react with sensitive vaccine ingredients. This is particularly crucial for biologic and live attenuated vaccines, which can degrade or lose potency when exposed to reactive packaging materials. Unlike certain plastics or metals, glass, especially borosilicate glass, offers high chemical resistance and stability, making it ideal for preserving the efficacy and safety of vaccines. These features help manufacturers comply with stringent global regulatory guidelines, further solidifying glass as the dominant packaging material.

Moreover, glass offers excellent barrier protection against oxygen and moisture, which is crucial for vaccines that are highly sensitive to environmental exposure. Unlike most plastic materials, glass does not allow any permeability, ensuring extended shelf life and sterility. Furthermore, in some settings (particularly in developing countries or bulk hospital use), reusability and sterilization of glass containers can offer added value. This durability makes it attractive for long-term storage and for use in low-resource environments where disposable packaging may not be practical.

Product Insights

Based on product, the vials segment recorded the largest market revenue share of over 49.9% in 2024. Most vaccines, especially live-attenuated or mRNA-based types, require stringent cold storage. Glass vials, particularly borosilicate types, offer excellent thermal and chemical resistance, making them ideal for enduring freezing temperatures or temperature fluctuations during transport. Their proven compatibility with ultra-cold chain requirements, as seen with Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine, further solidifies their dominance. Vials also withstand pressure changes and handling stress, making them reliable in global distribution settings.

Furthermore, vials have long been the standard for vaccine packaging, particularly in bulk production and global immunization programs. Their capacity to hold single or multiple doses in one container makes them highly cost-effective for mass vaccination campaigns. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where infrastructure may be limited and large-scale immunization is critical, multi-dose vials help minimize cost per dose and reduce packaging waste. This versatility keeps demand for vials consistently high across global markets.

Application Insights

The vaccine manufacturers' application segment recorded the largest market share of over 49.9% in 2024. Vaccine manufacturers are directly responsible for fill-finish processes, which involve filling the vaccine formulation into vials, syringes, or ampules and sealing them for distribution. This stage is a highly regulated and sensitive part of the vaccine supply chain, as it determines sterility, dosage accuracy, and compliance with safety standards. Since packaging is an integral part of this process, manufacturers are the largest consumers of vaccine packaging materials. They dictate packaging choices, specifications, and volume requirements, giving them a dominant share in the overall demand.

Moreover, vaccine manufacturers must comply with the regulatory requirements of various global health bodies such as the FDA, EMA, WHO, and local regulatory agencies in emerging markets. These requirements often necessitate custom-designed packaging solutions that ensure stability, traceability, and contamination resistance. Because of these complexities, packaging is not just an outsourced service; manufacturers either produce packaging in-house or work closely with packaging suppliers to ensure quality control and regulatory compliance. This demand for custom, high-quality packaging drives high-volume procurement from vaccine manufacturers.

Regional Insights

North America vaccine packaging industry dominated globally and accounted for the largest revenue share of over 34.2% in 2024, and it is also projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period. In this region, countries such as the U.S. and Canada, the market is witnessing steady growth driven by strong government immunization initiatives, high public healthcare spending, and a robust pharmaceutical manufacturing base. The region’s leadership in R&D for next-generation vaccines, such as mRNA and recombinant DNA vaccines, has necessitated advanced packaging solutions, especially prefillable syringes and specialized vial systems compatible with ultra-low temperature logistics. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified investments in cold chain infrastructure, further fueling the demand for insulated shipping containers, tamper-evident closures, and track-and-trace-enabled packaging. In addition, North America’s stringent regulatory framework, governed by the FDA and CDC, ensures high standards of packaging safety and quality, which has accelerated the adoption of premium-grade borosilicate glass vials and USP-compliant plastics. The growing trend toward self-administration and point-of-care diagnostics is also contributing to increased use of pre-sterilized, ready-to-use packaging formats, setting the stage for continued market expansion in the coming years.

U.S. Vaccine Packaging Market Trends

The vaccine packaging industry in the U.S. is among the major global players in the market due to its advanced biopharmaceutical ecosystem and rapid innovation cycles. The presence of major vaccine developers such as Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson has created a steady pipeline of new vaccines, necessitating constant upgrades in packaging formats and materials. The U.S. market favors precision packaging-including siliconized glass syringes, low-friction stoppers, and temperature-indicator vials-driven by a strong emphasis on dose accuracy, contamination prevention, and storage efficiency. Unlike emerging markets, where cost-efficiency may dominate, the U.S. prioritizes safety validation, regulatory approval timelines, and compatibility with automation systems, making it a high-value market. Moreover, the U.S. government’s strategic national stockpiles and pandemic preparedness funding continue to boost long-term packaging demand, particularly for vaccines requiring controlled environments. Investments in smart packaging, such as QR-coded vials for authentication and cloud-based supply chain monitoring, are also gaining traction, reflecting a growing convergence of healthcare and digital technologies.

Europe Vaccine Packaging Market Trends

The Europe vaccine packaging industry is expanding as a result of the region’s commitment to public health preparedness and regulatory harmonization across member countries. European nations have collectively invested in centralized immunization strategies through institutions such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), creating stable, long-term demand for packaging materials and technologies. The region is also a base for leading pharmaceutical companies and packaging manufacturers such as Gerresheimer, Schott, and SGD Pharma, which have significantly upgraded their capabilities in response to evolving vaccine formats. Moreover, Europe places a higher emphasis on sustainability and circular economy goals, prompting manufacturers to innovate with eco-friendly materials, recyclable plastics, and low-carbon production processes in vaccine packaging. The increasing aging population and rise in communicable diseases in Eastern and Central Europe are further driving the demand for modular, scalable packaging formats that facilitate both small-scale and mass distribution.

The vaccine packaging market in Germany is primarily driven by its strong manufacturing base, high consumer spending, and emphasis on sustainability. The country’s robust cold chain infrastructure supports the widespread use of cryogenic packaging materials and vapor-phase LN2 containers, especially for mRNA and other temperature-sensitive vaccine platforms. Germany is also driving innovations in recyclable closures, rubber-free stoppers, and sterilized nested systems that reduce waste in large-scale clinical settings. The nation’s focus on clinical trials, biotech startups, and academic-medical partnerships is contributing to a continuous flow of demand for pilot-scale and small-batch packaging units, making it a key influencer in setting new benchmarks for quality and sustainability in the global market.

Asia Pacific Vaccine Packaging Market Trends

The vaccine packaging industry in Asia Pacific region is experiencing the fastest growth in vaccine packaging demand, fueled by a combination of population scale, increasing immunization efforts, and government investments in healthcare infrastructure. Countries such as China and India are not only massive end users of vaccines but also major global producers. Their expanding pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are supported by a growing network of domestic packaging manufacturers, which are becoming more competitive in producing vials, ampules, and prefilled syringes at scale. In addition, initiatives such as India’s Universal Immunization Program and China’s national vaccine policy reforms have dramatically boosted domestic demand.

China’s vaccine packaging industry is expanding rapidly, supported by its state-driven healthcare modernization agenda and large-scale vaccine manufacturing capabilities. The government’s push for domestic self-reliance in pharma and med-tech has spurred significant investment in local production of packaging materials, including Type I molded glass and medical-grade polymer packaging. Chinese manufacturers are scaling operations to cater to both domestic and global vaccine demand, and this is driving the mass production of vials, ampules, and composite syringe systems. The emphasis here is on volume, affordability, and speed, making multi-dose vials and simplified closures more prevalent.

Key Vaccine Packaging Company Insights

The competitive landscape of the global vaccine packaging industry is shaped by a blend of large-scale pharmaceutical packaging companies, emerging regional players, and specialized suppliers catering to niche packaging needs. This landscape is both fragmented and highly competitive, driven by rapid innovation cycles, stringent regulatory compliance, and the evolving demands of vaccine formulation technologies such as mRNA, viral vector, and protein subunit platforms. Leading companies differentiate themselves based on material science advancements, cold chain compatibility, and custom-engineered solutions that enhance product stability and patient safety.

• In March 2024, SCHOTT Pharma expanded its operations in the United States by investing USD 371 million in a new manufacturing facility located in Wilson, North Carolina. This facility is the first in the U.S. dedicated to producing prefillable polymer and glass syringes, which are essential for the storage and transportation of mRNA medications, as well as therapies for conditions like diabetes and obesity.

• In February 2023, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. expanded its collaboration with Corning Incorporated to include exclusive distribution rights for Corning Valor Glass vials and the launch of their first product, the West Ready Pack with Corning Valor RTU Vials utilizing SG EZ-fill technology.

Vaccine Packaging Market Report Scope

Global Vaccine Packaging Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at a global level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global vaccine packaging market report based on material, application, product, and region:

• Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Plastic

  • Metal

  • Glass

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Vials

  • Prefillable syringes

  • Vial closures

  • Ampules

  • Insulated boxes

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million 2018 - 2030)

  • Vaccine manufacturers

  • Healthcare providers

  • Research institutions

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • UK

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • Australia

    • South Korea

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE