Medical Plastics Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024 to 2034

Medical Plastics Market Size to Reach USD 70.76 Bn by 2032

The global medical plastics market size was estimated at USD 37.22 billion in 2023 and is expected to hit USD 70.76 billion by 2032, registering growth at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2032.

Key Takeaways

• North America led the global market with the highest market share of 34% in 2022.
• Asia Pacific region is estimated to expand the fastest CAGR between 2023 and 2032.
• By Type, the engineering plastics segment has held the largest market share in 2022.
• By Application, the medical components segment captured the biggest revenue share of 40% in 2022.

Medical Plastics Market in the U.S. 2023 To 2032

The U.S. medical plastics market size was valued at USD 8.87 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 17 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.50% from 2023 to 2032.

In the year 2022, North America is the dominating region in the medical plastics market and hit a revenue share of around 34%. With per capita healthcare spending increasing in the United States, the demand for medical equipment will increase significantly over the next few years. This is expected to boost demand for products in the region. In addition, the presence of key manufacturers such as Dow Inc., DuPont, Celanese Corp., and Eastman Chemical Co., in the region is expected to have a positive impact on the overall growth of the market during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific is expected to be the largest medical plastics market during the forecast period. This is primarily due rapid growth of industrialization and urbanization in this region. In addition, the region has immense growth potential driven by the increasing demand for a better healthcare system. Asia-Pacific region covers some vast and rapidly growing economies, including China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Across these economies, local governments are restructuring regulations in fields including advanced materials, IT integration, and others in the healthcare industry to increase the efficiency and efficacy of medical devices and related healthcare services. Key drivers for the medical device industry in APAC are value-based care reform in legacy systems, ecosystem partnerships across the value chain, increased research and development, and digitalization medical system.

Growth Factors

Key drivers of the medical plastics market include demand for advanced medical devices from aging populations and growing investment in healthcare in emerging economies such as China and India. In addition, increasing disposable income and changing lifestyles, the need for efficient and affordable healthcare systems, and the increasing use of advanced medical technologies, such as implants 3D printed grafts, and personalized devices are driving the market.

Enforcement and renewal of various infection prevention standards, coupled with an increase in surgical, hospital, and outpatient procedures, is expected to drive the medical plastics market growth over the forecast period. Fluctuations in oil prices are a major factor in price volatility in polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). Expansion and contraction of capacity also contribute to market price fluctuations. In addition, increased overproduction in the Chinese market is expected to affect raw material prices.

There has been an increase in the demand for plastic as it is an integral raw material used in the manufacture of medical devices and instruments and medical packaging. This has fueled the growth of the market over the past few years. Rising demand for medical devices, a growing aging population, and expanding home healthcare sector in North America and Europe are forecasted to be the key factors driving the market growth in the coming period.

The growing number of policyholders in the United States, coupled with the demand for medical devices, is expected to have a positive impact on industry growth over the forecast years. In addition, the market is characterized by the presence of a large number of companies engaged in the production of high-grade plastics for industrial use. This industry is characterized by extensive integration at different stages of the value chain.

Furthermore, the high level of competition in the industry is likely to enhance the purchasing power of consumers. Factors such as product quality and cost competitiveness greatly influence purchasing power decisions. US state government agencies have shown a growing interest in plastic recycling. The global COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to drive demand for masks, gloves, testing equipment, and ventilators. This will positively promote the growth of this market.

Medical Plastics Market Scope

Type Insights

By type, the engineering plastics segment is a major revenue-generating segment in the medical plastics market and is expected to dominate during the forecast period. Engineering plastics offer many advantages over standard plastics, such as good ductility, faster production times, low weight, high impact, resistance to fire, impact, and chemicals, and reduced friction. Improved standards and regulations requiring high-quality plastics used in medical applications are responsible for the large market size in this segment. In addition, the increasing use of engineering plastics in robotic aids, AI-driven processes, 3D printing of implants and prostheses, and more, is driving the use of engineering plastics.

Application Insights

Depending on the application, the market is divided into prosthetics, drug delivery, medical instruments & tools, medical disposables, and others. The medical components segment dominated the market and garnered a revenue share of around 40% in 2022.

The disposable medical segment is predicted to show the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The usage of medical plastics is rising owing to their versatility. Disposable medical items can be defined as single-use products used in surgical and procedural applications. The use of these medical products in general health check-ups and procedural applications is increasing. Furthermore, the use of these disposable products in accordance with the guidelines of various agencies, such as the US FDA and the European FDA, drives the demand for medical plastics globally. The rising prevalence of chronic diseases, changing lifestyles of middle-income groups, demand for better healthcare facilities, and increasing aging population are the main drivers of the market.

Key Market Developments

• In August 2018, SABIC cooperated with a product design and consulting company, Nottingham Spirk (Cleveland, USA). This partnership has helped both companies bring to market a number of specialty plastics suitable for a variety of verticals, such as medical, automotive, and aerospace.
• In June 2019, BASF signed a protocol of cooperation with SIBUR (Moscow, Russia) for the development of innovative polymer solutions at the PolyLab research and development center located in Russia. This partnership aims to develop a range of innovative high-performance solutions, specifically for durable goods.
• In April 2018, Celanese expanded by launching a new Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene GUR plant in Nanjing, China. The facility has helped the company meet demand for specialty materials in the medical, automotive, consumer goods and other industries.
• In October 2019, Evonik launched the commercial line of bio-absorbable PLAPEG copolymers for medical devices under the RESOMER PLAPEG brand. Through this product development, the company has expanded its portfolio of functional biomaterials.

Medical Plastics Market Players

• SABIC
• BASF
• Celanese Corporation
• Evonik
• Solvay S.A.
• Covestro
• Trelleborg Sealing Solutions
• Trinseo S.A.
• Dow Inc.
• Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics

Segments Covered in the Report

By Type

• Engineering plastics
• High performance plastics (HPP)
• Standard plastics
• Silicone
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polystyrene (PS)
• Others

By Application

• Medical Disposables
• Prosthetics
• Medical Instruments & Tools
• Drug Delivery
• Medical Device Packaging
• Medical Components
• Orthopedic Implant Packaging
• Orthopedic Soft Goods
• Wound Care
• Cleanroom Supplies
• BioPharm Devices
• Mobility Aids
• Sterilization & Infection Prevention
• Tooth Implants
• Denture Base Material
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• U.S.
• Canada
• Europe
• U.K.
• Germany
• France
• Asia-Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Latin America
• Brazil
• Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)
• GCC
• North Africa
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa