Medical Disposables Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Company Analysis, Regional Insights and Forecast 2020 - 2027

The global medical disposables market size is expected to be worth around USD 844.25 billion by 2027 and expanding at a CAGR of 16.4% from 2020 to 2027.

Rising incidence of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs), impact of COVID-19 outbreak, and increasing number of surgical procedures are the key factors driving the market for medical disposables.

Increasing number of surgeries globally is a key factor expected to drive the market over the forecast period. For instance, as per Mölnlycke Health Care AB, 70.00 million surgical procedures are performed every year in Europe. As such, medical disposable products such as hospital gowns, disposables eye gear, hand sanitizers, respiratory supplies, and sterilization supplies, which are being an essential requirement for surgical procedures, are expected to witness high demand over the forecast period. For instance, as per the report published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), around 390,352 surgeries were performed in Canada in 2017. Disposable products prevent the transmission of nosocomial infections to some extent owing to which surgeons consistently prefer to use disposable products over the reusable ones. Such factors are expected to boost market growth.

Increasing incidence of HAIs due to lack of sanitation and precaution is also one of the leading factors contributing to the market growth. For instance, as per the CDC, about one in 25 hospital patients contracts at least one HAI every year. Non-woven disposables such as hospital gowns provide general protection against contamination and can help to lower the risk of contracting HAIs. Furthermore, they can prevent bacterial and other microbial infections from entering a patient’s body. Thus, surgeons recommend patients to wear disposable gowns before medical procedures. These factors are anticipated to propel the market growth over the forecast period.

Product Insights

On the basis of product, the market for medical disposables is segmented into wound management products, drug delivery products, diagnostic and laboratory disposables, dialysis disposables, incontinence products, respiratory supplies, sterilization supplies, non-woven disposables, disposable masks, disposable eye gear, disposable gloves, hand sanitizers, and others. The disposable masks segment accounted for the largest revenue share and accounted for more than 12.00% share of the global revenue in 2019. The disposable masks are majorly used to protect against the transmission of harmful agents from one to another. On the basis of ASTM Levels, disposable masks have been categorized into low, moderate, and high fluid resistance.

Hand sanitizers is anticipated to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period. Hand sanitizers are also termed as hand rub or hand antiseptics, which are used to remove harmful pathogens from the hands.

Raw Material Insights

On the basis of raw material, the plastic resins segment held the largest share of 58.3% in 2019. The plastic resins have been widely used for making medical devices, such as disposable syringes, containers, tubes for intravenous solutions, and other packaging materials for medicines. The growing prevalence of hospital acquired infections and subsequent rise in the usage of disposable items to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are boosting the market growth. Availability of different types of plastics with a wide range of properties, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polypropylene (PP), low and high density polyethene, and polystyrene, has expanded the applications of plastics in the healthcare sector.

The nonwoven material segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period. Nonwoven material is mostly preferred over woven material in the hospitals and clinics as it provides better protection against hospital borne infections and surgical site infections. In addition, certain advantages such as low weight, affordable cost, and easy recycling methods are anticipated to boost the demand for these materials. It is majorly used for the manufacturing of medical products, such as surgical gowns, sanitary napkins, drapes, bandages, and masks. Moreover, the manufacturing cost of this material is lesser than their counterparts due to the easy manufacturing procedures and easy availability of its raw materials, such as polyester. However, the introduction of minimally invasive techniques and medical procedures involving minimum body contact may restrain the segment growth over the forecast period.

End-use Insights

On the basis of end use, the market for medical disposables is segmented into hospitals, home healthcare, outpatient/primary care facilities, and others. Hospitals held the largest share of more than 50.0% in 2019 and are anticipated to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period. This is attributed to rising number of patient admissions in hospitals for surgeries and treatments for COVID-19. As per the study conducted by the University of California, San Francisco, in 2016, on an average, more than 2000 tons of waste is generated by operating rooms per day, in which a significant portion of waste is from disposables medical supplies. Thus, increased usage of medical disposables in the hospitals may promote the segment growth over the forecast period.

The home healthcare segment is anticipated to witness considerable growth over the forecast period. Medical disposables in the home healthcare segment mainly include used needles, syringes, and lancets, solid bandages, disposable sheets, and gloves. Demand for home healthcare is rapidly increasing owing to the growing geriatric population, coupled with the government legislations to reduce hospital readmissions. Thus, the rising adoption of home healthcare is expected to drive the demand for medical disposables over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

North America held the largest market share of 46.3% in 2019 owing to increasing number of surgeries and presence of key market players in this region. Moreover, an increase in the number of COVID-19 patients in this region has spurred the demand for medical disposables. As per the report published by the WHO on 20th April 2020, more than 3,39,09 existing cases were reported and more than 1,509 new confirmed cases were detected in Canada. Moreover, the number of cases is expected to increase exponentially in the next month or two. Such factors are anticipated to increase the demand for medical disposables in the region.

Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period owing to the growing geriatric population and the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, Asia Pacific has been one of the worst hit regions by COVID-19. China and South Korea have reported a high number of COVID-19 cases. In addition, the densely populated pockets in this region are making it easier for community transmission of the virus. Such a high number of potential patients in this region is anticipated to fuel the regional market growth over the forecast period.