U.S. Sterilization Services Market (By Technique: Steam, E-beam & Gamma Radiation, EtO; By Type; By Delivery Mode: Onsite, Offsite; By End Use) - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, Revenue, Regional Outlook and Forecast 2022-2030

The U.S. sterilization services market size was estimated at around USD 2.23 billion in 2021 and it is projected to hit around USD 3.48 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.07% from 2022 to 2030

Report Highlights

• The contract segment captured the largest market share in 2021 and is expected to continue its dominance through the forecast period. 
• The off-site segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. 
• The hospital segment dominated the U.S. sterilization services market in 2021 and is expected to retain its position throughout the forecast period.

Supportive government investments in the healthcare industry, increasing R&D activities, and rising volume of drug launches are key factors impacting market growth.

The U.S. government has been keen on curbing healthcare costs and this is anticipated to encourage the FDA to speed up approval procedures for generic pharmaceuticals. Faster approvals drive the need for newer sterility testing methods, compelling innovative market participants to spend more on such solutions, thereby propelling the market. With increasing demand for drugs, companies are launching newer drugs with different routes of administration, dosage, or for a new indication. These launches require thorough sterility testing and this is anticipated to drive market growth.

By end use, the market is divided into hospitals, pharmaceuticals, medical device companies, clinical laboratories/research centers, and others, which includes food and beverage companies. Hospitals dominated the overall sterilization services market in 2016 and the segment is expected to retain its top position throughout the forecast period. Increasing incidence of hospital-acquired infections, growing number of surgical procedures, and constantly rising patient pool are prime factors driving this segment.

Currently, the U.S. sterilization services industry is consolidated in nature with only a few top companies capturing the major share. Some of the leading players are STERIS Corporation; Getinge Group; and Advanced Sterilization Products Services, Inc. Other prominent companies include 3M, Belimed, Cantel Medical, MATACHANA GROUP, and Sterigenics International LLC. In September 2016, Cantel announced the acquisition of Vantage Endoscopy’s endoscopy assets. This expansion of direct sales and acquisition of assets of its Canadian distributor is expected to strengthen the company’s position in the infection prevention market.

Type Insights

Based on type, the market is segmented into contract and validation services. The contract segment captured the largest market share in 2021 and is expected to continue its dominance through the forecast period. Contract services include in-house and off-site sterilization of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and packaged units. Most of the in-house sterilization in hospitals is executed in the sterile processing department. Contract services are preferred by hospitals and manufacturers as they significantly reduce cost and resource burden and allow them to focus on their core activities.

Validation services require significant investments in terms of consumables. The presence of a large number of market players is expected to hurt the prices of these services as it reduces profit margins. However, validation of sterilization is a mandatory step in every healthcare center, which is expected to offset the adverse impact of the restraint.

Scope of The Report

Technique Insights

An increasing number of surgical procedures and rising geriatric population have driven the adoption of a variety of sterilization services. Market players have been making significant investments in research and development of novel techniques. Heat sterilization is the most widely used and reliable method of sterilization. It works best when used in a hydrated form rather than a dry state. Low-temperature sterilization technique is compatible with most delicate medical equipment and is extremely easy to control and monitor.

Delivery Mode Insights

Based on delivery mode, the market is segmented into off-site and on-site. The off-site segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. An increasing number of service providers and the rising trend of outsourcing sterilization services are factors anticipated to fuel segment growth.

On-site sterilization services require significant space, equipment, and manpower and so these departments are best for manufacturers with high output. Currently, heat and EtO are widely-used techniques in on-site settings. However, most novel materials used in medical devices are prone to deterioration by heat, limiting the use of such techniques in these settings.

End-use Insights

By end-use, the market is segmented into hospitals, pharmaceuticals, medical device companies, clinical laboratories/research centers, and others, which includes food and beverage companies. The hospital segment dominated the U.S. sterilization services market in 2021 and is expected to retain its position throughout the forecast period.

Increasing prevalence of hospital-acquired infections, the surge in the number of surgical procedures performed, and constantly expanding patient pool are prime factors driving this segment.

Key Players

• Steris PLC
• 3M
• Advanced Sterilization Products Services
• Cantel
• J&J
• Stryker
• E-beam
• Cretex
• Sotera Health

Market Segmentation

• By Technique Outlook

• Steam
• EtO
• E-beam radiation
• Gamma radiation
• Others
• By Type Outlook
• Contract services
• Validation services
• By Delivery Mode Outlook
• Onsite
• Offsite
• By End-use Outlook
• Hospitals
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Medical device companies
• Clinical laboratories
• Others