PDF Cover

Automatic Thermoforming Machines Market

The market for Automatic Thermoforming Machines was estimated at $2.3 billion in 2024; it is anticipated to increase to $3.3 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $4.4 billion by 2035.

Report ID:DS1401208
Author:Swarup Sahu - Senior Consultant
Published Date:
Datatree
Industrial Tools & Machinery
Production Tools & Equipment
Automatic Thermoforming Machines
Share
Report Summary
Market Data
Methodology
Table of Contents

Global Automatic Thermoforming Machines Market Outlook

Revenue, 2024

$2.3B

Forecast, 2034

$4.1B

CAGR, 2025 - 2034

5.9%

The Automatic Thermoforming Machines industry revenue is expected to be around $2.5 billion in 2025 and expected to showcase growth with 5.9% CAGR between 2025 and 2034. The significant expansion in the Automatic Thermoforming Machines market can be credited to important factors driving this growth trend worldwide. Industries on a scale are increasingly adopting automation in their production processes which has led to a noticeable transition towards advanced machinery that guarantees superior product quality and cost effectiveness. Automatic Thermoforming Machines offer benefits which explains their ongoing importance and increasing relevance in various production sectors globally. Manufacturing facilities have especially acknowledged these machines as tools, for achieving operational excellence and securing a competitive advantage within their industries.

Automatic Thermoforming Machines are basically created to mold plastic sheets into items by using heat and pressure effectively. This machinery automates the process altogether to carry out quick and accurate thermoforming tasks. These characteristics are what make these machines a popular option in fields like food packaging healthcare and automobile parts among others. Moreover current patterns show an increase in the need, for Automatic Thermoforming Machines influenced by the growth of friendly and biodegradable plastics.

Automatic Thermoforming Machines market outlook with forecast trends, drivers, opportunities, supply chain, and competition 2024-2034
Automatic Thermoforming Machines Market Outlook

Market Key Insights

  • The Automatic Thermoforming Machines market is projected to grow from $2.3 billion in 2024 to $4.1 billion in 2034. This represents a CAGR of 5.9%, reflecting rising demand across Food Packaging, Medical, and Consumer Electronics.

  • Illig Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG, Gabler Thermoform GmbH & Co. KG, Multivac Group are among the leading players in this market, shaping its competitive landscape.

  • U.S. and Germany are the top markets within the Automatic Thermoforming Machines market and are expected to observe the growth CAGR of 3.8% to 5.7% between 2024 and 2030.

  • Emerging markets including Vietnam, Brazil and Indonesia are expected to observe highest growth with CAGR ranging between 6.8% to 8.1%.

  • Transition like Increased Adoption in Healthcare Sector has greater influence in U.S. and Germany market's value chain; and is expected to add $88 million of additional value to Automatic Thermoforming Machines industry revenue by 2030.

  • The Automatic Thermoforming Machines market is set to add $1.8 billion between 2024 and 2034, with manufacturer targeting Pharmaceuticals & Automobile Application projected to gain a larger market share.

  • With

    shifting preferences towards sustainable packaging, and

    Increasing demand in medical industry, Automatic Thermoforming Machines market to expand 77% between 2024 and 2034.

automatic thermoforming machines market size with pie charts of major and emerging country share, CAGR, trends for 2025 and 2032
Automatic Thermoforming Machines - Country Share Analysis

Opportunities in the Automatic Thermoforming Machines

The Asia Pacific region has also experienced growth due to rapid industrialization trends seen in countries like China and India. The food and beverage industry has seen an increase in the use of machines, for packaging purposes creating ample opportunities for Automatic Thermoforming Machines to thrive in this expanding market landscape.

Growth Opportunities in North America and Asia-Pacific

North America leads the market for Automatic Thermoforming Machines because of its advanced technology usage and strong industrial presence in sectors like automotive and healthcare among others that influence demand growth significantly. Key players like Brown Machine Group and Canon Virginia are at the forefront of competition, in this industry while companies also see potential in the expanding pharmaceutical sectors need for quality thermoformed packaging driving the market for automatic thermoforming machines.
China, India and Japan are leading the way in the Asia Pacific regions growth in Automatic Thermoforming Machines market. The market in this region is being driven by the industrial revolution, infrastructure development and rising disposable income. Key players like Honghua Machinery, Guangdong Designer Technology Co., Ltd and Shantou Mengxing Package Machinery Co., Ltd are facing competition, in the industry. The increasing demand, for thermoforming machines is primarily fueled by the growth of the electronics industry and the expansion of the food packaging sector.

Market Dynamics and Supply Chain

01

Driver: Rising Demand for Automated Packaging and Sustainable Eco‑Material Compatibility

The automatic thermoforming machines market is also driven by the increasing need for advanced automation and efficient production lines alongside the global push for sustainable packaging solutions. Automated systems equipped with robotics, IoT connectivity, and industry 4.0‑ready features help manufacturers significantly boost throughput, reduce manual labour dependency, and lower operational costs, making them attractive across food packaging, medical, and electronics sectors. With automation offering predictive maintenance and real‑time monitoring, companies can also maintain consistent quality at high speeds, accommodating diverse product formats and fluctuating demand. At the same time, growing consumer and regulatory emphasis on recyclable and eco‑friendly materials is also prompting thermoforming equipment suppliers to design machines capable of handling biodegradable films and lightweight plastics. This shift supports environmental compliance and aligns packaging operations with sustainability goals in major markets, further expanding the adoption of automatic thermoforming technology across industries.
Another key driver for automatic thermoforming machines is also the expanding demand for high‑quality packaging in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Consumers increasingly seek convenient, safe, and durable packaging for ready‑to‑eat meals, fresh produce, and medical products, necessitating precision thermoforming solutions that ensure hygiene, extended shelf life, and tamper resistance. Advanced machines support these needs with consistent forming accuracy and secure seals, meeting stringent safety standards. As packaged goods consumption rises globally and pharmaceutical companies require reliable blister and protective packaging, the demand for automatic thermoforming machines capable of delivering high‑volume, compliant output continues to grow.
02

Restraint: High Initial Capital Costs and Technical Complexity Restrict Market Adoption

A key restraint in the automatic thermoforming machines market is the high upfront investment and sophisticated technology requirements that limit adoption, especially among small and mid‑sized manufacturers. Advanced automated thermoforming systems with servo drives, in‑line quality inspection, and smart diagnostics can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, creating a significant financial barrier that deters new entrants and slows expansion in cost‑sensitive regions. Around 41 % of small enterprises cite investment costs as a major hurdle, delaying upgrades or leading to the continued use of older, less efficient equipment. Moreover, the technical complexity and need for specialized operators further restrict market growth by increasing training costs and operational risk, ultimately reducing demand for the latest thermoforming solutions.
03

Opportunity: Augmenting Demand from the Healthcare Sector and Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

The healthcare industry is seeing a rise in the need for Automatic Thermoforming Machines for packaging products like pharmaceutical blister packs due to the growing emphasis on packaging for safety and reliability purposes. These machines are incorporating technology to improve efficiency and accuracy in manufacturing processes and cut down on production expenses. This has garnered interest from stakeholders, in the healthcare sector who are looking to capitalize on these benefits.
Working together with leading companies, in the industry and technology suppliers offers an opportunity for manufacturers of Automatic Thermoforming Machines to grow significantly. By combining knowledge and resources to create machinery can boost market expansion even further. For example putting money into intelligence for automating machines could enhance efficiency, accuracy and simplify thermoforming operations.
04

Challenge: Environmental Regulations and Raw Material Volatility Impact Market Dynamics

Another critical restraint affecting the automatic thermoforming machines market is stringent environmental regulations combined with fluctuating raw material prices. As governments impose stricter controls on single‑use plastics and push for recyclable, compostable materials, manufacturers must invest in equipment capable of handling new substrates, often requiring costly modification or upgrades. At the same time, volatility in polymer feedstock prices driven by crude oil fluctuations raises production costs and profit uncertainty for end‑users. These pressures can slow purchasing decisions and constrain revenue growth, particularly for firms operating in regions with rigorous sustainability mandates or limited access to stable raw material supplies.

Supply Chain Landscape

1

Raw Material Acquisition

Steel & Aluminum
2

Thermoforming Machine Component Manufacturing

Siemens AGRockwell Automation
3

Automatic Thermoforming Machine Assembly

Brown Machine LLCGABLER Thermoform GmbH & Co. KG
4

End-User Industry

PackagingAutomotiveHealthcareFood & Beverages
Automatic Thermoforming Machines - Supply Chain

Use Cases of Automatic Thermoforming Machines in Food Packaging & Consumer Electronics

Food Packaging : In the food packaging sector, automatic thermoforming machines are widely used to produce plastic trays, clamshells, cups and vacuum‑sealed containers that preserve freshness and extend shelf life for perishable items like meat, dairy, fruit and ready‑to‑eat meals. Fully automatic and roll‑fed thermoforming systems deliver high‑speed, high‑precision forming, trimming and sealing, helping food manufacturers meet hygiene standards and consumer demand for convenience packaging. Leading equipment providers such as ILLIG Maschinenbau GmbH, MULTIVAC Sepp Haggenmüller SE & Co. KG and Brown Machine Group are recognized for their reliable, durable machines and advanced automation features that maximize throughput for large‑scale food processors. These companies emphasize industry 4.0 integration, energy efficiency and modular designs to support diverse product formats and flexible production lines.
Medical : In medical applications, automatic thermoforming machines produce sterile trays, blister packs and protective packaging for surgical instruments, medical devices and pharmaceutical products, where precision and hygiene are critical. Vacuum and pressure thermoforming technologies ensure aseptic packaging conditions and compliance with stringent health and safety standards by delivering consistent cavity quality and secure seals. Major players like Kiefel GmbH, ILLIG and MULTIVAC supply specialized systems with integrated quality control and rapid changeover capabilities to support high‑volume production in pharmaceutical and medical device facilities. Their advanced solutions improve operational efficiency while maintaining strict traceability and cleanliness required in healthcare environments.
Consumer Electronics : Automatic thermoforming machines are also used in consumer electronics to produce protective trays, component inserts and casing elements that ensure part integrity during manufacturing, storage and transportation. The process offers design flexibility and consistent dimensional accuracy, making it suitable for delicate electronic components like circuit boards and devices. Companies such as ILLIG, MULTIVAC and other tier‑one manufacturers provide systems with quick mold changeover and IoT‑enabled monitoring, catering to fast product cycles and high throughput demands in electronics production. These systems help electronics OEMs reduce material waste, improve production efficiency and maintain product quality in competitive markets.

Recent Developments

Recent developments in the automatic thermoforming machines market reflect a clear shift toward smarter automation and sustainable packaging solutions that are reshaping industrial production lines. In early 2025, multiple OEMs launched next‑generation systems featuring IoT‑enabled sensors, real‑time process analytics and servo‑driven motion control to improve throughput, reduce waste, and support recyclable material compatibility in food, medical, and consumer electronics packaging. Increased integration of AI and industry 4.0 features has helped manufacturers optimize predictive maintenance and minimize downtime, thereby improving operational efficiency and quality control. A key market trend continues to be the adoption of eco‑friendly materials and energy‑efficient equipment, as demand grows for machines capable of forming biodegradable films and recyclable substrates to meet stricter sustainability regulations and consumer eco‑preferences.

December 2024 : Thermotech Solutions introduced an upgraded model of their Automatic Thermoforming Machines with promises of enhanced speed and precision, in the plastic molding process.
November 2024 : Polyform Industries revealed plans to enhance its production capacity in response to growing needs in the packaging industry, for Automatic Thermoforming Machines.
October 2024 : EXPL Machineries, a technology company has now introduced a cutting edge machine into the Automatic Thermoforming Machines industry. This innovative device is said to lower energy usage by 20%.

Impact of Industry Transitions on the Automatic Thermoforming Machines Market

As a core segment of the Production Tools & Equipment industry, the Automatic Thermoforming Machines market develops in line with broader industry shifts. Over recent years, transitions such as Increased Adoption in Healthcare Sector and Revolutionizing Food Packaging Industry have redefined priorities across the Production Tools & Equipment sector, influencing how the Automatic Thermoforming Machines market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics. These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01

Increased Adoption in Healthcare Sector

The advancements in thermoforming machines have brought about significant changes in the healthcare industry by streamlining the production of high quality medical packaging materials effectively and reliably reducing the chances of contamination in medical packaging—a key element in preserving the sterility of medical instruments. These machines provide an precise manufacturing process that is essential for producing top notch medical packaging products which has led to an increased reliance on automatic thermoforming machines in the healthcare sector, for safer and more efficient packaging solutions.
02

Revolutionizing Food Packaging Industry

The adoption of automatic thermoforming machines has revolutionized the food packaging industry by enabling manufacturers to produce high-quality, vacuum-sealed, and airtight packaging that extends shelf life and preserves taste and nutrients. These machines support high-speed, consistent production of trays, clamshells, and ready-to-eat meal containers, enhancing food safety and reducing waste. Beyond food, this transition has influenced medical and pharmaceutical packaging, where precise, sterile blister packs and trays are critical, and consumer electronics, where protective inserts ensure safe transport of delicate components. Companies like MULTIVAC, ILLIG, and Brown Machine Group leverage these innovations to improve operational efficiency, minimize material usage, and meet evolving regulatory standards, resulting in broader market adoption and stronger profitability across associated sectors.