Medical device manufacturers, who in the UK alone generate estimated sales of €5.8bn, will spend significantly more on packaging during 2005. A third plan to grow their spend and a further 41% to match last year's budget.
According to research by the organisers of the Medical Device Technology Exhibition & Conference, this renewed emphasis on packaging reflects the buoyant, forward-looking mood within the medical device sector.
At least 63% of the 150 medical device and in-vitro diagnostic manufacturers studied have produced an innovative product or service in the past 12 months and over half plan increasing their R+D spend. Moreover, 19% would like more innovation from their packaging suppliers and 70% would benefit from more innovative materials.
Almost half will be buying plastics/elastomers over the next year, 46% packaging materials and 43% labelling. Some 81% of medical device and IVD manufacturers are seeking new suppliers and many more are looking to outsource their packaging - 26% currently outsource their product packing but this is set to rise to one third.
The Medical Device Technology 2005 Exhibition & Conference takes place on February 16 and 17 at Birmingham's NEC. Visitors pre-registering will gain free entry and will also be able to visit its co-located shows: 3C [Contamination Control & Cleanroom Products], Electronic Information Displays, Industrial Networks, IPOT [Image Processing and Optical Technology], Machine Vision, Machine Building, MTEC [Sensors, Measurement & Instrumentation] and Practical Vacuum.
