Plastics Advice 2026
Healthcare
The new year is a new opportunity for healthcare plastics manufacturers to make material and supply chain decisions that will determine who leads in next-generation therapies. Success will depend on agility, collaboration and the ability to adapt to change.
What global healthcare plastics trends will most significantly shape the market in 2026?
Global trade policy and economic pressures are driving a significant reshoring movement in healthcare manufacturing. Pharmaceutical and medical device original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are accelerating efforts to move production to the U.S., prompted by new tariffs and a weakened European economy. To meet this demand, new contract facilities are opening in key regions such as the Carolinas. The U.S. remains the largest global market for healthcare and medical devices, and reshoring gives foreign manufacturers a foothold to better serve it at a time when many industries are localizing supply chains to reduce risk.
Meanwhile, product innovation is reshaping the market. The global rise of GLP-1 injectables, driven by growing wellness trends, is spurring unprecedented demand for single-use injector pens made from high-performance plastics. At the same time, oral vaccine technologies that have been long in development are entering the market, creating new plastics applications for ampule-style delivery systems.
Another defining shift is the industry’s proactive move to transition away from using per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in healthcare products. Rather than waiting for regulation to dictate change, leading plastics manufacturers are developing new polymers and material systems that match or exceed PFAS performance while aligning with long-term safety and sustainability goals.
What promising developments will most impact healthcare plastics in 2026?
High-purity medical-grade resins like metallocene-catalyzed polypropylene are having a resurgence. These materials are increasingly used in advanced pharmaceuticals, gene therapies and mRNA vaccines, where purity and performance are critical. Medical-grade resins are certified to provide lower leachables and extractables, along with improved clarity, toughness and organoleptic properties, ensuring the integrity of both labware and drug delivery systems.
In addition, these resins can often be tailored to specific sterilization methods with additives. This versatility enables better compatibility across a range of medical applications by simplifying the material validation process and enhancing product reliability throughout the healthcare ecosystem.
How are shifts in global trade dynamics affecting sourcing decisions in the healthcare plastics market?
Healthcare plastics manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing regionalized, dual-sourced supply chains to reduce risk and strengthen resilience. By producing, processing and assembling materials closer to the end market, companies mitigate geopolitical uncertainty while also shortening lead times and lowering the carbon footprint of end products — a rare opportunity to advance sustainability within a highly regulated sector.
These strategies reflect lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, when global supply disruptions left critical items like respirators and personal protective equipment unavailable. In 2026, regional supply models are becoming the new standard for ensuring continuity and reliability in healthcare production.
What advice would you give healthcare manufacturers to drive success in 2026?
Build flexibility into your material strategy.
Dual sourcing is now essential to profitability. Relying on a single qualified resin leaves healthcare manufacturers vulnerable to supply interruptions that can halt production and revenue. By qualifying multiple materials, healthcare manufacturers can protect business continuity and profit margins, even in volatile conditions.
Equally important is partnering with distributors that specialize in healthcare plastics. The right partner can support dual-sourcing initiatives, share regulatory and technical expertise, and provide inventory flexibility to manage shifting market conditions.
In 2026, success will belong to healthcare manufacturers who combine agility, compliance and collaboration.
Visit our Healthcare market page for more information on M. Holland’s products and services and subscribe to receive the latest news and updates from M. Holland.