Pharmaceutical Cartridges Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Material Type (Glass Cartridges, Plastic Cartridges, Rubber), By Application (Dental Anesthesia, Pen Injectors, Autoinjectors, Wearable Injectors ), By Chamber Type (Dual Chamber, Large Volume), By Size (0.5ml, 1.8ml, 2ml to 2.5ml, 3ml, 5ml, More than 10ml), By Therapeutics Area (Ophthalmology, Respiratory, Neurology, Oncology, Immunology, Cardiology, Diabetes, Dental, Others), By End User (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Research Organizations, Others), By Region and Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.90 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.81%
Fastest Growing Segment	Glass Cartridges
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 4.55 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Pharmaceutical Cartridges Market will grow from USD 2.90 Billion in 2025 to USD 4.55 Billion by 2031 at a 7.81% CAGR. Pharmaceutical cartridges are specialized cylindrical containers, typically composed of borosilicate glass or polymer, that are engineered for use in drug delivery devices such as pen injectors and autoinjectors to ensure precise medication dosing. The primary drivers propelling this market include the rapidly increasing global incidence of chronic conditions requiring long-term management and a distinct shift in healthcare preferences toward self-administration methods that empower patients. This demand is further fortified by the expansion of the biologics sector, which necessitates high-stability primary packaging to maintain drug integrity and safety during storage and administration.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2024, approximately 589 million adults were living with diabetes worldwide, a figure that highlights the immense scale of the patient population dependent on reliable insulin delivery systems like cartridge-based pens. However, a significant challenge that could impede market expansion is the high capital expenditure and technical complexity associated with manufacturing these components, as strict regulatory standards for dimensional precision and sterility require sophisticated production environments that limit rapid capacity scaling for new entrants.

Key Market Drivers

The escalating global prevalence of chronic diseases, particularly diabetes and obesity, is the primary force accelerating the adoption of pharmaceutical cartridges. As patient populations requiring long-term injectable therapies grow, there is a critical reliance on multidose pen injectors that utilize these glass or polymer reservoirs for accurate self-administration. This demand is exemplified by the surge in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which has necessitated substantial manufacturing scale-up to ensure continuous supply. According to Novo Nordisk, January 2024, in the 'Annual Report 2023', sales within the company’s Diabetes and Obesity care division increased by 38% to DKK 215.1 billion, reflecting the significant uptake of these cartridge-based therapeutic regimens.

Simultaneously, the market is being reshaped by the rapid expansion of the biologics sector, driving a preference for high-performance packaging solutions. Biologics and biosimilars often possess complex molecular structures that are sensitive to interaction with container surfaces, thereby mandating the use of specialized borosilicate glass or polymers to ensure stability. This shift toward premium primary packaging is evident in the financial performance of key component manufacturers. According to Schott Pharma, February 2024, in the 'Media Release regarding Q1 2024 results', the revenue share of high-value solutions, which includes advanced containment systems, increased to 53%. To support this trajectory and the broader injectable ecosystem, pharmaceutical giants are heavily investing in production infrastructure. For instance, according to Eli Lilly and Company, in 2024, the firm committed an additional $5.3 billion investment to its Lebanon, Indiana manufacturing site to boost active pharmaceutical ingredient production for its injectable portfolio.

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Key Market Challenges

The high capital expenditure and technical complexity associated with manufacturing pharmaceutical cartridges significantly restrict market expansion. Producing these primary packaging components requires specialized facilities that must adhere to rigorous regulatory standards for sterility and dimensional precision. These strict requirements necessitate substantial upfront investment in advanced machinery and cleanroom environments, creating a high barrier to entry for new manufacturers while limiting the ability of existing players to rapidly scale production. Consequently, the market faces ongoing challenges in matching supply with the rising demand for injectable treatments.

The direct impact of these manufacturing hurdles is evident in the prevalence of supply chain disruptions within the sterile injectables sector. According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, in 2024, the industry reached a record high of 323 active drug shortages, a crisis largely attributed to manufacturing quality control issues and regulatory delays. This statistic underscores how the intense operational demands and compliance burdens inherent in producing high-quality delivery systems directly impede market liquidity and growth stability.

Key Market Trends

The emergence of large-volume cartridges designed for wearable injectors is transforming the market, driven by the shift from intravenous infusions to subcutaneous self-administration for complex biologics. As high-viscosity formulations for oncology and autoimmune diseases require doses exceeding the standard 3mL capacity of pen injectors, manufacturers are developing 5mL to 10mL cartridges compatible with on-body delivery systems. This innovation allows patients to manage chronic conditions at home, significantly reducing healthcare facility dependence. According to Schott Pharma, December 2024, in the 'Annual Report 2024', the revenue share of high-value solutions, which includes newly launched large-volume cartridges for wearable injectors, climbed to 55% of total sales following a 22% year-on-year increase, reflecting the critical role of these components in modern therapeutic delivery.

Simultaneously, there is a widespread industrial adoption of Ready-to-Use (RTU) sterile cartridge formats, which fundamentally streamlines the fill-finish process for pharmaceutical companies. By shifting the burden of washing, siliconization, and sterilization to the packaging supplier, drug manufacturers can eliminate capital-intensive front-end processing lines and achieve greater operational flexibility for small-batch therapies. This transition is accelerating as leading component suppliers standardize RTU platforms to ensure compatibility across filling lines. According to Stevanato Group, November 2025, in the 'Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results', revenue from high-value solutions, which encompasses the EZ-fill ready-to-use cartridge portfolio, surged by 47% year-over-year to reach €147.9 million, underscoring the rapid market uptake of these pre-sterilized containment systems.

Segmental Insights

The Glass Cartridges segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category in the Global Pharmaceutical Cartridges Market due to its critical role in packaging sensitive parenteral formulations. This material is favored for its high chemical inertness and superior barrier properties, which effectively prevent interactions between the container and the drug product. These characteristics are particularly vital for maintaining the stability of insulin and biologics in accordance with rigorous safety protocols established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consequently, manufacturers prioritize glass cartridges to ensure product purity and extend shelf life for injectable treatments.

Regional Insights

North America holds the leading position in the global pharmaceutical cartridges market, driven by an advanced healthcare infrastructure and the extensive presence of major pharmaceutical manufacturers. The region experiences high demand for self-administered injectable therapies, particularly for the management of chronic conditions like diabetes, which necessitates reliable insulin delivery systems. Furthermore, rigorous safety and quality standards enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drive the adoption of compliant drug delivery technologies. This strong regulatory framework, combined with consistent innovation in therapeutic administration, reinforces North America’s dominance in the sector.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, Nipro PharmaPackaging announced a strategic expansion of its manufacturing capabilities to address the rising demand in the global pharmaceutical cartridges market. The company disclosed plans to commence the production of high-quality glass cartridges for dental and pen injector applications at its facility in Pune, India. This development was intended to enhance supply chain flexibility and shorten delivery times for customers in the Asian region. By leveraging its existing expertise in glass container manufacturing, the company aimed to provide premium cartridges suitable for highly sensitive drug products, reinforcing its commitment to reliable drug delivery systems.
• In September 2024, three leading companies in the packaging industry, Stevanato Group, Gerresheimer, and Schott Pharma, formed a strategic collaboration known as the "Alliance for RTU." This partnership was established to accelerate the market adoption of ready-to-use (RTU) vials and cartridges within the global pharmaceutical landscape. The alliance focused on sharing technical expertise regarding high-quality sterile primary packaging with pharmaceutical manufacturers and contract organizations. By promoting the benefits of RTU configurations, such as enhanced operational efficiency and reduced total cost of ownership, the companies aimed to establish a new standard for flexibility and safety in aseptic filling processes.
• In July 2024, Schott Pharma introduced a significant advancement in its drug containment solutions by launching large-format ready-to-use cartridges. The company released new 10ml cartridges specifically engineered to store and deliver highly sensitive biologics used in the treatment of cancer, metabolic disorders, and other chronic conditions. These cartridges were designed for compatibility with on-body delivery devices, allowing patients to self-administer large-volume doses safely at home. The product featured a sterile barrier integrated into the crimp cap, which eliminated the need for manual swabbing, thus reducing handling steps and minimizing contamination risks.
• In January 2024, Stevanato Group expanded its portfolio in the pharmaceutical packaging sector by launching the EZ-fill Kit. This new offering utilized the company’s established platform of pre-sterilized containment solutions, which included vials, cartridges, and syringes, to support efficient small-batch manufacturing. The kit was designed to enable pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients to rapidly screen various primary packaging options in combination with their drug products. This innovation aimed to facilitate faster access to customizable packaging solutions for clinical trials and commercial phases, thereby accelerating the development timeline for advanced biopharmaceutical treatments.

Key Market Players

• Schott AG
• Gerresheimer AG
• West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
• Stevanato Group
• Nipro Corporation
• Berry Global Group, Inc.
• SGD Pharma
• Baxter International Inc.
• Vetter Pharma International GmbH
• Catalent, Inc.

By Material Type	By Application	By Chamber Type	By Size	By Therapeutics Area	By End User	By Region
Glass Cartridges Plastic Cartridges Rubber	Dental Anesthesia Pen Injectors Autoinjectors Wearable Injectors	Dual Chamber Large Volume	0.5ml 1.8ml 2ml to 2.5ml 3ml 5ml More than 10ml	Ophthalmology Respiratory Neurology Oncology Immunology Cardiology Diabetes Dental Others	Pharmaceuticals Biotechnology Research Organizations Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Pharmaceutical Cartridges Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Pharmaceutical Cartridges Market, By Material Type:

• Glass Cartridges
• Plastic Cartridges
• Rubber

• Pharmaceutical Cartridges Market, By Application:

• Dental Anesthesia
• Pen Injectors
• Autoinjectors
• Wearable Injectors

• Pharmaceutical Cartridges Market, By Chamber Type:

• Dual Chamber
• Large Volume

• Pharmaceutical Cartridges Market, By Size:

• 0.5ml
• 1.8ml
• 2ml to 2.5ml
• 3ml
• 5ml
• More than 10ml

• Pharmaceutical Cartridges Market, By Therapeutics Area:

• Ophthalmology
• Respiratory
• Neurology
• Oncology
• Immunology
• Cardiology
• Diabetes
• Dental
• Others

• Pharmaceutical Cartridges Market, By End User:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Biotechnology
• Research Organizations
• Others

• Pharmaceutical Cartridges Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE