Sterilization Pouches Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Sterilization Pouches {Paper Pouches, Plastic Pouches}, Sterilization Wrapping, Sterilization Containers and Others), By Application (Hospitals, CSSDs, Clinics & and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2020-2032

The global sterilization pouches market size was valued at USD 26.96 Bn and is projected to reach USD 62.81 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.16% during the forecast period based on our analysis in the existing report. North America dominated the sterilization pouches market with a market share of 1.98% in 2019. Moreover, the sterilization pouches market in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 11.78 billion by 2032, driven by the growing demand for sterile packaging in the healthcare industry and the increasing focus on infection control measure.

Sterilization pouches are sealing containers or protective wrapping used to enclose medical equipment and devices so that these contents can be sterilized in an autoclave or other desired equipment. Prominently, steam and ethylene oxide eto are used to sterilize the devices enclosed in these pouches to ensure safe handling and storage. Different procedures are used for sterilization, depending upon the requirement and the size of the enclosed medical device.

LATEST TRENDS

Development of Customized Engineered Solutions to Boost the Market

Different clients have different requirements when it comes to usage of sterilization pouches. Some of the methods, such as steam heat sterilization and closing dry heat sealing pouches by fold over and taping the end of the pouches, are time consuming and many a time become a problem for the clients. To avoid such difficulties, end-users often approach manufacturers to customize the pouches as per their convenience without compromising with the sterilization efficiency and standards. This has led to the innovation among market players and the quality of products is steadily rising.

DRIVING FACTORS

Introduction of Reusable Medical Devices to Drive Product Adoption

Medical devices & instruments that need to be sterilized are relatively expensive and it is not feasible to use new instruments or medical devices for every patient. Pouches used to sterilize medical devices facilitate the reuse of such devices and instruments multiple times without compromising on the patients’ hygiene and health. This enables proper utilization of available resources for the patients and supports the healthcare system by making it less expensive. For instance, some of the high quality sterilization pouches can withstand over 100 sterilization cycles before being disposed.

Surge in Healthcare Savings through Sterilization Pouches to Fuel the Market

Healthcare systems save significant amount of money every year by using effective sterilization safe handling processes and pouches. The high cost of medical devices and instruments make them practically impossible to restrict its usage to a single patient. The cost of medical treatment would rise exponentially if every patient had to bear the cost of every new instrument and medical device that is used for his or her treatment, making healthcare facilities inaccessible and unaffordable to majority of populations. By using these pouches, a considerable amount of money is being saved by the healthcare facilities, thus minimizing the cost of treatment as well as implementation of a sustainable national healthcare system.    

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Complex Instrumentation and Improper Packaging Configuration is Increasing the Risk of Infectious Diseases

Sterilization processes are extensively utilized in the healthcare industry. With the evolution of the healthcare industry, the medical devices and instruments used in the medical facilities have become more complex. As a result, many a time, proper sterilization of these complex medical devices go beyond standard sterilization cycles. Some healthcare professionals, who are unaware about this unusual sterilization cycle or process specifically needed for a particular medical device, can result into improper sterilization of the instrument or devices, which increases the risk of transmission of infection from one patient to another. Also, improper packaging configuration of these pouches sometimes results in poor penetration of the sterilant inside the pouch which results in poor sterilization of contained instruments and they remain contaminated. This also increases the risk of infection transmission from patient to patient. Thus, the sterilization pouches market growth over the forecast period is likely to get hampered due to such unacceptable practices and degraded quality of packaging configurations.

SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

Paper & Plastic Sterilization Pouches Segment to Grow the Fastest

The Paper- & plastic-based segment is anticipated to grow fastest in the market owing to their high demand in clinics and hospitals for small instruments and medical devices. These pouches are manufactured in accordance with the regulations laid down by the packaging and healthcare industries. Sterilization wrappings are available in custom sizes in the market and can be used as per the end-user’s requirement. These wrappings should not be too tight or loose around the medical devices and should allow proper sterilization to take place. Sterilization containers are generally used in CSSDs and other large health care facilities where sterilization takes place on a larger scale.

By Application Analysis

Hospitals Segment to Continue Its Dominance

Hospitals around the world are the largest consumers of sterilization pouches due to a large number of patients they serve as well as the large number of medical activities carried out in these facilities. Sterilized medical devices and instruments are used in surgical procedures carried out on the patients. Small healthcare clinics, which perform small aesthetic operation procedures on the patients, form the second-largest consumers of these pouches. The central sterile services department (CSSDs) also account for a recognizable share in the consumption of these pouches.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The market size in North America stood at USD 9,534.68 million in 2019 on the back of effective healthcare facilities in the United States as well as Canada. As per the World Bank data of 2017, per capita healthcare expenditure of North America stood at USD 9,691.09. According to the same data, US per capita healthcare expenditure stood at USD 10,246.14, which is greater than the regional average. People in the region have access to basic healthcare facilities, which ensures the leading position of the region in the sterilization pouches market share during the forecast period.

Europe accounts for second-largest share in the market owing to a strong healthcare system in the developed countries of the Western Europe. The World Bank data shows that the per capita healthcare expenditure in the region is around Euro 3,761.34 in the Eurozone. France, Germany, UK, and the Netherlands are some of the countries which have relatively high per capita healthcare expenditure in the region. The demand for these pouches in the region is expected to rise moderately over the forecasted period owing to high living standards and effective healthcare system.

Asia-Pacific is home to around 60% of the world’s population. The per capita healthcare expenditure here is substantially lower than the Western developed countries. Countries such as China and India are making significant progress in the healthcare sector, which is anticipated to increase the demand for sterilization items in the region.

The Middle East & Africa region is a relatively small market and many countries in the region have inadequate healthcare facilities. However, owing to the collective efforts by global bodies and local governments, the region is expected to witness a surge in the demand for sterilization products over the mid- and long-term forecasts. Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina drive the demand for these pouches in the Latin America region. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in high demand and a tight supply of raw materials and chemicals around the world, which is impacting the growth of this market. As a result, the market is anticipated to follow the “N” curve over the short-term forecast.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Product Launches & Supply Agreements are the Primary Strategies of the Key Players in the Market     

The global market is highly fragmented as well as regulated. A few key players dominate the market on the back of diversified product portfolios as well as long-term supply agreements with the end-users. Some of the players also supply customized sterilization bags and pouches to their clients as per requirements. As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, supply chains have tightened and many players have raised the prices of their sterilization products. Some players have also increased their overall output to meet the increased demand.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Amcor plc (Australia)


• Mondi Group (Austria)


• Berry Global (US)


• YIPAK (China)


• 3M (US)


• Dynarex Corporation (US)


• PMS Healthcare Technologies (US)


• Getinge Group (Sweden)


• Smurfit Kappa (Ireland)


• STERIS (Ireland)


• Certol International (US)


• Bischof+Klein (Germany)


• Wihuri (China)


• Shanghai Jianzhong Medical Equipment Packing Co., Ltd. (China)


• Proampac (US)


• Cardinal Health  (US)


• Cantel Medical Co. (US)


• AMD Medicom Inc. (Canada)


• STERIMED (US)


• Others

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• October 2019 – AMD Medicom Inc., a key manufacturer of infection control and preventive solutions headquartered in Canada, announced the acquisition of Hedy Canada Inc., a manufacturer of infection control and disposable products including sterilization pouches headquartered in Canada. This has strengthened Medicom’s position globally as well as in the North America region.


• December 2019 – M&Q Packaging, a manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of packaging solutions headquartered in the US, demonstrated its capabilities to provide custom engineered sterilization solutions to its customer. The customer had approached the product development team of M&Q Packaging with a problem in steam heat sterilization pouches closing. By successfully delivering the required customized product, the company has proved its innovation capabilities, according to the company’s press release.

REPORT COVERAGE

The sterilization pouches market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies and applications of the product.

Besides this, using different research methodologies, the report offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market over recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation