RTU Cartridges Market Size and Share Analysis by Type (Nest and Tub, Tray), Method (Side-Up Inside, Down-Upside) - Global Industry Demand Forecast to 2030

Market Overview

The global RTU cartridges market was valued at USD 149.78 million in 2022, and the industry size will reach USD 294.05 million by 2030, advancing at a CAGR of 8.7% during 2021–2030. This is due to the high-quality operations with RTU cartridges and the increasing prevalence of diabetes.

With the growing trend of personalized medicine, the pharmaceutical industry faces the difficulty of effectively producing medications in smaller batch sizes with multiple batch changeovers. As a result, pharmaceutical firms are on the lookout for an RTU packaging solution that allows them to fill cartridges of different sizes and configurations on a single machine. It allows manufacturers to fill multiple forms of packaging without changing the equipment. RTU cartridges reduce costs, while improving quality, by preventing glass-to-glass contact during transport, storage, and filling and ensuring each cartridge remains free of contamination and scratches.

Nest and Tub Category Dominates the Industry

The nest and tube category held a larger revenue share, of 89.1%, in 2022. By using the same nest & tub format for multiple types of packaging, manufacturers can reduce the number of filling lines and equipment changes needed to produce various drugs, thus cutting the total cost of machinery and energy. Pursuing a single, standard method of filling for syringes, vials, and cartridges allows manufacturers to maximize the use of each filling line. Nests, which secure cartridges by the neck, can prevent them from touching one another, thus reducing the chances of scratches or defects.

Side-Up Inside Placing Method Is Getting Preferred

The side-up inside category is expected to grow at a higher CAGR, of 9.1%, during 2021–2030. This can be because the side-up inside method has a wider application area, as it is used in the nest & tub packaging method widely.

High-Quality Operations with RTU Cartridges

Drug product manufacturers now want to streamline their operations and concentrate on their core competencies, such as drug production and processing, by using RTU cartridges, which remove several steps, such as cleaning, dehydrogenating, and sterilizing cartridges. These steps are not the key practices for pharmaceutical companies but also decrease the overall operational efficiency of the companies. Therefore, nowadays, these companies are preferring fill/finish technology/packaging that can guarantee sterility, without substantial expenditure.

Starting from research and development to the commercializing of products, the filling and manufacturing can be challenging. With RTU systems, pharmaceutical companies get higher fill-and-finish flexibility. The majority of the process problems are eliminated by using RTU systems because the packaging is pre-prepared and the only step left in the process is to fill and finish the package. Off-the-shelf packaging and closing solutions created according to drug component suppliers and fill/finish service providers’ requirements help them better serve their clients in a timely and regulatory-compliant manner.

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Europe Is the Market Leader

Geographically, Europe held the largest revenue share, of 55.3%, in 2022. This is attributed to the rising R&D activities and the growing geriatric population across the region. Other factors contributing to the growth of the market include the rising demand for accurate drug delivery, chemical durability of drugs, ease of use, and time-saving in the medication administration process. For instance, in 2021, about one-fifth of the European population was aged above 65 years.

Furthermore, in 2020, Europe contributed 23.9% of the global pharmaceutical sales revenue, and the rising pharma sales in the region make it evident that the demand for RTU cartridges will increase in the forecast period.

These containers are mainly used by diabetic patients, being fitted inside insulin pens, to self-administer insulin. Diabetes incidence is increasing in Europe every year due to unhealthy eating habits, physical inactivity, and an increase in obesity incidence. There are about 60 million people with diabetes in the region aged 25 years and over. This has significantly enhanced the demand for convenience during glycemic control. The rising number of cases of diabetes thus boosts the demand for insulin pens, which, in turn, fuels the growth in the European RTU cartridges market.

Moreover, the number of biosimilars approved in Europe is high than in other regions. Europe was the first region to implement a regulatory framework through the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), under the European Medicines Agency (EMA). This has created a boom in the regional biosimilars industry. As the primary route of administration of biologics is injectable, the demand for advanced drug delivery systems, such as RTU cartridges, is increasing.

Additionally, various conventional and biological drugs in the region are in the approval process, with many more in the pipelines of pharma firms. This has driven the number of clinical trials, which also propels the demand for RTU cartridges and other containers.

North America Holds the Second-Largest Market Share

North America accounts for the second-largest revenue share in the market. This is ascribed to the rising demand for self-administration due to the development of various designs of RTU cartridges, the surging prevalence of chronic and lifestyle-associated diseases, and high healthcare expenditure in the region.

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in the region, such as cancer and heart disease, is among the strongest factors contributing to the growth of the market. In 2021, around 2.0 million new cancer cases were diagnosed. Moreover, the average cost of cancer care and drugs per person in the U.S. is around USD 42,000 yearly. This huge burden and the increasing number of affected individuals have created an urge among patients as well as the healthcare system to seek more-advanced drug delivery devices, such as RTU cartridges.

The geriatric population in the region is also growing at a significant rate and further adding to the burden of diseases. It is also expected to create a significant demand for drugs for age-related indications, which, in turn, would lead to an increased need for RTU cartridges.

Top RTU Cartridges Companies Are:

• SCHOTT Pharma AG & Co. KGaA
• Stevanato Group S.p.A
• Pharmaceutics International Inc.

Market Size Breakdown by Segment

This report offers deep insights into the RTU cartridges market, with size estimation for 2017 to 2030, the major drivers, restraints, trends and opportunities, and competitor analysis.

Based on Type

• Nest and Tub
• Tray

Based on Method

• Side-Up Inside
• Down-Upside

Geographical Analysis

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • U.K.
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • U.A.E.