2025-12-02

The global pharmaceutical packaging machines market, valued at USD 7.04 billion in 2025, is projected to nearly double to USD 13.63 billion by 2034, according to a new study by Towards Packaging, a sister firm of Precedence Research.

The report identifies several key trends shaping the industry’s future — including the rise of smart and connected packaging, increased automation and robotics, sustainable packaging solutions, growing demand for aseptic filling and sealing equipment, and modular, flexible machine designs.

Smart and connected packaging

The growing need for improved drug safety, patient compliance and supply chain traceability is driving the adoption of smart and connected packaging solutions. Technologies such as QR codes, RFID and sensors enable real-time tracking, authentication and quality monitoring, helping pharmaceutical companies meet stringent regulatory requirements. These technologies also enhance patient experience by supporting features such as medication adherence tracking and dosage reminders.

Automation and robotics

The integration of automation and robotics is accelerating as the industry seeks greater precision, speed and quality control while addressing labour shortages and regulatory compliance demands. Automated systems now handle repetitive tasks — such as sorting, labeling and sealing — with consistent accuracy, significantly reducing human error, improving safety and maintaining high product quality.

Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Environmental sustainability is emerging as a critical focus area. The report highlights a major shift toward machinery capable of handling eco-friendly materials such as biodegradable plastics, recyclable polymers and paper-based alternatives. This trend is driving equipment manufacturers to develop advanced systems with waste reduction capabilities and broader compatibility with green packaging materials.

Aseptic Filling and Sealing Equipment

The rising demand for injectable medications, vaccines and complex biologics has intensified the need for automated aseptic filling and sealing equipment. These systems are being widely adopted to ensure the stability and safety of sensitive pharmaceutical products by minimising human intervention.

Modular and Flexible Equipment Designs

Pharmaceutical manufacturers are increasingly investing in modular and flexible machine designs that allow them to handle smaller batch sizes, personalize medicines, and facilitate quicker changeovers between different products and packaging formats.

This modular approach enhances operational agility, minimises downtime and enables efficient production runs for both high-volume generic drugs and low-volume, high-value specialty medicines.

Market Leaders 

The Asia-Pacific region dominates the global market, driven by large pharmaceutical manufacturing bases in China and India, cost-effective production, supportive government policies, and a rapidly growing population.

In terms of equipment type, filling machines represent the largest market segment in 2024, driven by the growing demand for high-speed, accurate and sterile filling solutions. Conversely, the wrapping machines segment is the fastest-growing, supported by the need for automated, high-speed systems that improve production efficiency, ensure product integrity and reduce labour costs.

Key players in the global pharma packaging machines market include: Syntegon Technology, Mesoblast, IMA (Industria Macchine Automatiche), MULTIVAC Group, Romaco Holding, Optima Packaging Group, Marchesini Group, Ishida, PAC Machinery Group and Uhlmann Group.

Let’s explore some of the latest innovations set to transform the processing and packaging of pharmaceutical products.

Noack N 950E Blister Packaging Machine

German-based pharmaceutical machinery manufacturer Romaco is exhibiting the Noack N 950E blister packaging machine, equipped for the first time with India-made format parts, at CPHI & PMEC India at CPHI & PMEC India, scheduled from 25 to 27 November 2025 at the India Expo Centre, Greater Noida.

The N 950E is an ultra-flexible, user-friendly blister packaging machine with rotary sealing designed for the high-speed segment. It offers versatile conveying options—both longitudinal and crosswise—and delivers a maximum output of 500 blisters per minute. With a compact layout, all key stations, including sealing, coding, perforation and die-cutting, are arranged to optimise space.

The machine is capable of processing all sealable films, including sustainable mono-materials such as PET, PP, PE and paper, and can also produce aluminium–aluminium blisters. Additionally, the Romaco Noack N 950E is compatible with various transfer systems to downstream cartoners, including the Romaco Promatic PC 4201 continuous-motion cartoner.

Assembly of the N 950E was completed at Romaco’s plant in Changsha, China, further highlighting the company’s strategy to strengthen its manufacturing base in Asia.

Following the exhibition, the N 950E will be available for demonstrations to customers and prospective buyers at the Romaco India Experience Centre in Hyderabad.

Apart from the N 950E, Romaco will also display the VENTILUS Lab fluid bed processor from Innojet and the KTP 1X compaction simulator from Kilian — two laboratory all-rounders for R&D in the field of granulation and tableting — at CPHI & PMEC India.

DOMINA and SOLIDA: Latest Tablet Presses from IMA Active 

IMA Active, part of the IMA Group, unveiled its latest tablet presses, DOMINA and SOLIDA, at NEXTEN—its two-day innovation showcase dedicated to solid dosage production—held in October at Villa Erba on Lake Como, Italy.

DOMINA introduces a modular technological platform featuring easily removable and interchangeable functional blocks, allowing a plug-and-play shift among different machine configurations. SOLIDA, meanwhile, offers a flexible solution with built-in potential for future upgrades and performance enhancements. Designed with Pharma 4.0 principles, both machines integrate with advanced production environments capable of learning and optimising operations in real time.

Among the standout innovations is the patented Dynamicam, a filling cam covering the entire filling range. When combined with motorised independent paddles, this feature enables highly precise, product-centered fine-tuning.

User experience is another major focus. Once the external doors are opened, the processing area is fully accessible, while the machine basement requires access only for maintenance. A rotating arm allows turret changeovers in just minutes. DOMINA features servo-assisted operations to minimise manual intervention, while SOLIDA provides intuitive, HMI-guided procedures—significantly reducing the risk of operator error.

Built upon the proven PREXIMA platform, both presses feature a robust cast-iron structure designed to withstand pre-compression and main compression forces up to 100 kN. Rigid integration of the upper and lower structures ensures maximum reliability, even at high production speeds. 

INTEGRA 420 Blister Packaging Line 

Marchesini Group’s new INTEGRA 420 Blister Packaging Line combines a blister thermo/cold-forming unit with a cartoning section, all within a compact footprint.

The blister unit features an ergonomic workspace, with both forming reels and the pre-heating/forming station positioned at the rear for easier access. Multiple product-feeding options are available to suit diverse production needs. Sealing, coding and cutting operations are performed by independently servo-driven groups. The ROBOCOMBI system handles blister transfer, tracking and stacking into the cartoning section. 

Key features include:

• New track feeding system
• One- or two-lane configuration
• Forming depth up to 12 mm
• Vertical position of heating plates
• Overheating and material stretching control system
• Servo-driven motors

SynTiso – Gloveless, Fully Automated Fill & Finish Line

Syntegon has introduced the world’s first gloveless, fully automated, Annex 1–compliant commercial fill & finish line at CPHI Frankfurt. Developed together with two leading global pharma manufacturers, SynTiso sets a new benchmark in liquid pharmaceutical production by combining full automation, zero human interference, and the highest output on the market.

With minimal operator intervention and a contactless, suspended transport system, SynTiso ensures maximum product integrity across vials, syringes, cartridges, and in the trending ready-to-use (RTU) segment.

According to Syntegon, SynTiso delivers 30 percent higher OEE (overall equipment effectiveness), 50 percent shorter batch changeovers, and an impressive 600 containers per minute, the fastest in the market.

By eliminating glove ports, a common hidden contamination source in traditional isolators, SynTiso’s gloveless isolator aligns with Annex 1 requirements and reduces particle sources in the aseptic zone. Its suspended, contactless movement system further removes frictional particle generation and makes cleaning simpler, even for highly potent compounds. Robots remain outside the aseptic zone during production, preserving First Air and reducing particle load where it matters most. In addition, the compact isolator design with fewer internal components accelerates changeovers and lowers operating costs.