The global pharmaceutical glass tubing market has seen significant growth over the past decade due to increasing demand for specialized drug delivery systems and life-saving medical treatments. Glass tubing is a crucial component used in the pharmaceutical and medical industries for drug vials, cartridges, syringes, and various laboratory and diagnostic equipment. Let us analyse some key aspects of this important market.
Growth drivers
Expanding Patient Pool
The rising prevalence of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases worldwide has boosted the demand for pharmaceutical products. As per estimates by the WHO, chronic diseases accounted for over 70% of global deaths in 2020. This growing patient population base is driving pharmaceutical R&D and manufacturing activities, propelling glass tubing consumption.
Innovative Drug Delivery Systems
Advancements in drug delivery mechanisms have necessitated specialized glass tubing designs. Prefilled syringes, autoinjectors, patch pumps, and other self-administration systems now demand unique tubing dimensions, coatings, and surface treatments for optimal performance. Modular tubing designs are also being increasingly used in combination products. All this is augmenting specialized Pharmaceutical Glass Tubing consumption.
Advent of Biologics
Biologic drugs like monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, and recombinant proteins are complex molecules that require unique containment and delivery solutions. Their production involves sophisticated manufacturing facilities and equipment incorporating specialized glass components for sterilization, filtration, and storage. This rapid growth of biologics manufacturing is driving the pharmaceutical glass tubing market.
Demand across regions
Strong Growth in Emerging Markets
Emerging markets in Asia Pacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa exhibit high patient volumes and rising healthcare expenditure. This has boosted domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and import reliance in these regions. China, India, Brazil, Russia, Turkey and other emerging pharma hubs are increasingly demanding glass tubing to support their expanding drug production capabilities.
Mature Markets Retain Prominence
Developed regions like North America and Western Europe house global pharma leaders with sizable R&D pipelines and manufacturing footprints. Their substantial existing manufacturing capacities sustain a steady demand for glass tubing for vials, cartridges etc. Japan also represents an important mature market due to its large pharma industry and geriatric patient base that consumes significant volumes of chronic ailment medications.
Key Producers And Market Shares
The major players in this market are Nippon Electric Glass (Japan), Schott (Germany), Kavalierglass (Czech Republic), Nipro PharmaPackaging International (Netherlands), Corning (US), Pœrris Group (Belgium), and SGD Pharma (France).
These players maintain integrated manufacturing capabilities spanning glass melting, tube production, processing, finishing and assemblies like stoppers, seals etc. Their premium primary packaging solutions have enabled market leadership.
Among emerging players, Hindusthan National Glass and Industries (India), Linuo Glassworks Group (China), and J. Pack Glass (India) are expanding through strategic initiatives like capacity expansion, acquisitions and technology upgradation to gain market shares.
Key Manufacturing Technologies
Hollow glass manufacturing involves complex, capital-intensive processes requiring deep expertise. Major technologies used are:
– Piston Process: Molten glass is pushed into moulds using pistons to form solid rods which are subsequently drawn and shaped into tubes. Used for producing small tubular shapes.
– Fining Process: Bubbles are eliminated from molten glass through controlled heat treatment that allows degassing. Improves clarity.
– Tube Forming: Soft glass cylinders are precision-drawn under controlled cooling to achieve calibrated tubular shapes and dimensions.
– Processing And Finishing: Operations like fire-polishing, coating, printing, inspection, testing and packaging prepare tubes for pharmaceutical applications.
– Assemblies: Value-added modules comprising stoppers, seals etc. are assembled onto finished tubes.
Continuous technology innovations in these areas by leading manufacturers have enhanced process efficiencies, tightened quality control and expanded production capacities to meet evolving market needs.
With the healthcare sector growing at an unprecedented rate driven by aging populations, increasing affordability and growing burden of chronic diseases, the global pharmaceutical glass tubing market offers immense potential for sustained growth over the coming years. Its strategic importance for global healthcare delivery systems will ensure continued investments and innovations in this space.
*Note:
- Source: CoherentMI, Public sources, Desk research
- We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it