Terminal Sterilization Market, Size, Share, and Analysis, By Product (Chemical Sterilization (Ethylene Oxide, Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide (VHP), and Vaporized Peracetic Acid (VPA)), Moist Heat Terminal Sterilization, and Irradiation System), By Application (Medical Devices, Drugs, Packaging, and Others) By End-user (Hospitals & Surgical Centers, Medical Devices, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnological Manufacturers, and Research Institutes & Laboratories), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Terminal sterilization is a process in which products are sterilized in their container or packaging to keep them free from microorganisms and to prevent transmission of contamination associated with their use. Terminal sterilization permits the microbial load within the standard sterilization assurance level (SAL), which is less than 10⁶.

Terminal sterilization market growth is primarily driven by the increasing number of hospital-acquired infectious diseases and a growing number of surgical procedures, increasing the need for sterilization of devices, equipment, surgical surfaces, and patient supplies to avoid chances of contamination & hospital-acquired infectious diseases.

• In 2020, according to NCBI, 310 million surgeries were performed each year, 40 to 50 million in the U.S., and 20 million in Europe, which stated the higher demand for sterilization required for all of the products used in these surgeries.


• Additionally, in August 2019, according to an article in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, the vaporized hydrogen peroxide was extensively used by hospitals for medical device sterilization.

Moreover, technological advancement in terminal sterilization products offers lucrative market growth. For instance, low-temperature hydrogen peroxide sterilization and vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilization are recently adopted methods in hospitals for medical device sterilization due to their effectiveness. Furthermore, the rise in government regulatory approvals is also one of the key factors driving the market growth.

• For instance, in August 2019, according to an article in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, the vaporized hydrogen peroxide was extensively used by hospitals for medical device sterilization.

However, factors such as a lack of skilled workforce for the handling of the device as well as associated complications with terminal sterilization are expected to limit the terminal sterilization market growth.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Terminal Sterilization Market

The rapid outburst of COVID-19 had a positive impact on the terminal sterilization market. The pandemic had increased the focus on the sterilization process in the hospitals, as the hospitals were prone to attract infections. Moreover, equipment and products used in the hospitals had higher chances of contamination. Terminal sterilization is crucial in reducing contamination by sterilizing medical devices, equipment, surgical instruments & surface, patient supplies, and other products used. These factors contributed to the terminal sterilization market growth during the pandemic.

Moreover, government bodies in many countries set up new regulations and guidelines for sterilization in hospitals, laboratories, and research institutes due to the COVID-19 outbreak. During the treatment of COVID-19, hospitals were bound to follow specific guidelines to prevent contamination, such as disinfecting medical devices, patient supplies, and other equipment by terminal sterilization. Moreover, some countries utilized vaporized hydrogen peroxide or ultraviolet irradiation for terminal disinfections.

• In 2020, according to the article of NCBI, terminal sterilization was performed to sterilize patient supplies and equipment after patient discharge and during the whole treatment. 

The increased demand for terminal sterilization for maintaining sterility in various fields such as medical equipment, devices, surface, and others during the COVID-19 pandemic boosted the terminal sterilization market growth. 

Key Insights

• Prevalence of Infectious Diseases – By Key Country/Region.


• Number of Surgeries Performed - By key Country/Region.


• Key Industry Development.


• Technological Advancement.


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Terminal Sterilization Market.

Analysis by Technology

The terminal sterilization market is segmented into chemical sterilization, moist heat sterilization, and irradiation. Among these product segments, the chemical sterilization segment is further sub-segmented into ethylene oxide, vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP), and vaporized peracetic acid (VPA). Chemical sterilization accounts for a significant proportion of the global terminal sterilization services market. Chemical sterilization is used in areas where dry heat and moist heat sterilization can’t be used due to the component’s temperature sensitivity. This factor is responsible for the segment’s significant growth. Moreover, ethylene oxide terminal sterilization under chemical sterilization is expected to grow at a strong growth rate because of its wide use in medical device manufacturing companies.

Furthermore, moist heat sterilization is expected to grow with a strong CAGR. The growth of the segment is because of its effective use in the pasteurization of food where high-pressure steam is required and in the sterilization of various laboratory glassware products.   

Analysis by Region

North America accounted for a significant market share in the global terminal sterilization market. The growth in the region is due to the increasing number of hospitals present. Furthermore, the increasing number of surgeries performed in the region is expected to show significant growth in the demand for terminal sterilization during the forecast period.

• In December 2021, according to an NCBI article 13 million surgery performed in the U.S. The equipment and products involved in the surgeries are required to be properly sterilized. Thus, the increasing number of surgeries in the country has been boosting the market growth in the region.

Whereas, the Asia Pacific region is estimated to witness significant growth in the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the prevalence of infectious diseases in the region. 

Key Players Covered

• The report will include major key players such as STERIS plc, Andersen Sterilizers, ASP, SSQLLP, Nordion (Canada) Inc., Stryker, Sterigenics U.S., LLC – A Sotera Health Company, Tuttnauer, Wenzhou Tuwang Biotechnology Equipment Co., Ltd, and others.

Segmentation

Key Industry Developments

• In May 2022, Sotera Health Services, LLC., announced the expansion of electron beam sterilization capacity in Columbia City. This expansion is expected to boost the company’s growth in the market.


• In August 2020, Sotera Health Services, LLC., the parent company of Sterigenics U.S., LLC, announced they had acquired a Canadian-based Iotron Industries. It helped the company in the expansion of its electron beam (E-beam) sterilization product portfolio for medical devices in North America.


• In November 2020, Andersen Sterilizers received the U.S. FDA approval for its EOGAS 4 Ethylene Oxide Gas Sterilizer and associated accessories for sterilizing duodenoscopes and colonoscopes.