Sterile pouches will remain the leading packaging product in the medical-supply and device markets through 2008, says a new study by The Freedonia Group, Inc. Demand for sterile medical packaging is forecasted to grow from $625 million in 2003 to $2.1 billion in 2008, says Cleveland-based Freedonia.

Pouches are typically favored for the packaging of medical supplies and devices due to their low cost, ease of sterilization and opening convenience. While pouches are generally used for non-breakable products, improvements in barrier strength and impact and moisture resistance will aid demand of pouches in other applications, Freedonia says.