Hydrogel Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis, By Raw Material Type (Natural, Synthetic, and Hybrid), By Composition (Polyacrylate, Polyacrylamide, Silicone, and Others), By Form (Amorphous, Crystalline, and Semi-crystalline), By Application (Wound Care, Contact Lens, Drug Delivery, Agriculture, Personal Care & Hygiene, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Hydrogels are a group of materials having cross-linked polymeric hydrophilic structures. Their hydrophilic nature enables them to hold large quantities of water in their three-dimensional structure. These materials are manufactured from different natural, synthetic and semisynthetic raw materials. These materials can be amorphous, crystalline, and semi-crystalline in nature based on their composition. Hydrogels are mainly used in the agriculture and healthcare industries for several applications such as wound care, contact lenses, drug delivery, and personal care & hygiene, which are significantly driving their market growth.

The rising prevalence of ulcers and chronic wounds is anticipated to drive the global hydrogel market significantly. The rising aging population in different countries across the globe, specifically in the European and North American countries, is driving hydrogel demand for drug delivery and personal care & hygiene applications.

• According to a report by the International Wound Journal, the prevalence of global chronic wounds is projected to be 1.5 to 2.2 per 1000 population, and the cases are anticipated to rise further with the rising aging population across the globe.

Increasing awareness of hydrogel applications in the agriculture and healthcare industry is anticipated to present lucrative opportunities for the hydrogel market in the near future. Changes in lifestyle have resulted in rising cases of diabetic cases. Further, there is a rise in the cases of pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and venous leg ulcers, which presents a need for effective wound management, driving the global hydrogel market.

• In 2022, North America dominated the hydrogel market with approximately 45% of the share.

The major hydrogel market consumers by region are China, Japan, and India in Asia Pacific; the U.S. and Canada in North America; Germany and France in Europe; and Saudi Arabia and UAE in the Middle East.

• L'Oréal, a global player in the cosmetics and personal care industry, generated the highest sales of around USD 41.95 billion in 2022.


• According to the Director General of the Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), the country exported pharmaceutical products worth USD 24.62 billion in FY 2021-22. 

Segmentation

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Key Emerging Trends – For Major Regions


• Key Developments: Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships


• Latest Technological Advancements


• Insights on Sustainability


• Porter’s Five Forces Analysis


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Market

Analysis by Raw Material Type

By raw material type, the market is segmented into natural, synthetic, and hybrid. The synthetic segment holds a significant share of the global hydrogel market.

• Conventionally, there were mainly two types of hydrogels: natural and synthetic. Nowadays, however, hydrogels of a hybrid nature are also being manufactured to gain the advantages of both the formerly mentioned hydrogels.


• Synthetic hydrogels are gradually replacing natural hydrogels and are witnessing higher demand from the market. The higher demand for synthetic hydrogels can be attributed to their long service life, higher water absorption capacity and easy availability of raw materials used in the manufacturing.

Analysis by Form

By form, the market is segmented into amorphous, crystalline, and semi-crystalline. The semi-crystalline segment holds the largest share of the global hydrogel market.

• Semi-crystalline hydrogels offer the advantages of both crystalline and amorphous hydrogels, such as stability and enhanced mechanical strength.


• Semi-crystalline hydrogels possess regions of crystallinity and are more suitable for demanding applications, including drug delivery and tissue engineering, which are the key drivers of the global hydrogel market.

Analysis by Composition

By composition, the market is segmented into polyacrylate, polyacrylamide, silicone, and others. The polyacrylate segment holds a significant share of the global hydrogel market.

• Polyacrylate-based hydrogels are witnessing higher demand in comparison to other types owing to the relative advantages offered by them.


• These hydrogels can maintain better structural integrity in different physiological conditions and have higher water absorption capacity.


• Increasing demand for polyacrylate hydrogels for transdermal drug delivery systems, oral drug delivery and ophthalmic drug delivery systems is anticipated to drive the hydrogel market.

Analysis by Application

By application, the market is segmented into wound care, contact lens, drug delivery, agriculture, personal care & hygiene, and others. The contact lens segment holds a significant share of the global hydrogel market.

• Contact lenses made of hydrogels offer enhanced oxygen permeability, excellent moisture retention properties, and improved comfort, making them a product of choice for vision correction.


• Rising awareness about the use of contact lenses and the rising prevalence of vision disorders are anticipated further to drive the hydrogel demand for contact lens applications.

Regional Analysis

The global market is geographically segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa. North America held the largest share of the global hydrogel market in 2023. The region is witnessing a significant rise in the aging population, which is creating a demand for hydrogels for wound care, drug delivery and personal care & hygiene applications. Furthermore, technological advancements in the field of agriculture to increase crop production are anticipated to present lucrative opportunities for the hydrogel market.

Sales of Cosmetics Products in Europe 2022, by Country

• Germany – 15.4%


• France – 13.9%


• Italy – 12.4%


• U.K. – 11.3%


• Spain – 10.1%


• Poland- 4.8%


• Rest of Europe – 32.1%

Key Players Covered

The report includes the profiles of key players, such as Johnson & Johnson Private Limited, Dow Corning Corporation, Cardinal Health, The Cooper Companies, Inc., H.B. Fuller Company, R&D Medical Products Inc., Axelgaard Manufacturing Co., Ltd., NEXGEL, Inc., and BSN medical.

Key Industry Developments

• In December 2022, NEXGEL launched a new innovative hydrogel product called Turfguard. The newly launched product is designed for painful turf burns and the protection of sports-related wounds.


• In March 2022, CooperVision announced that it had made its full portfolio of silicone hydrogel 1-day contact lenses plastic neutral in the U.S. The move is anticipated to strengthen the company’s position in the field of sustainability.