HEALTHCARE FABRICS MARKET ANALYSIS

The global healthcare fabrics market was valued at US$ 22.22 Bn in 2022 and is forecast to reach a value of US$ 46.95 Bn by 2030 at a CAGR of 9.8% between 2023 and 2030. The global healthcare fabrics market is experiencing strong growth owing to the outbreak of COVID-19 and growing number of hospitalizations. Moreover, government initiatives towards hygiene and rise in adoption of smart healthcare fabrics is expected to propel the growth of the market. However, factors such as increase in carbon-footprint and counterfeited healthcare fabrics are expected to hamper growth of the healthcare fabrics market.

Global Healthcare Fabrics Market: Regional Insights

Based on geography, the global healthcare fabrics market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

Among regions, North America is expected to gain highest share in the market during the forecast period due to the increasing awareness regarding hygiene products, rise in demand for healthcare fabrics, outbreak of COVID-19, and well-established healthcare infrastructure in the region. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for healthcare fabrics, such as PPE kits, masks, bed sheets, and other items. The U.S. became one of the severely hit countries due to the pandemic. Such a situation forced US authorities to make the highest ever PPE imports and shield their healthcare workers from contracting the disease.

Europe and Asia Pacific are also expected to witness robust growth in the global healthcare fabrics market owing to the outbreak of COVID-19, growing demand for PPE products, rise in number of healthcare facilities, and well-established healthcare infrastructure in these regions. For instance, in April 2020, the Supreme Court of India ordered Central Government to ensure the availability of Personal protective equipment (PPE). It directed the centre to provide sterile medical gloves, face shields, goggles, medical masks, respirators, head covers, shoe covers, and coveralls to health workers including doctors, nurses, ward boys, other medical professionals.

Figure 1. Global Healthcare Fabrics Market Share (%), by Region, 2023

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Global Healthcare Fabrics Market Drivers:

Rising number of hospitalizations to augment market growth

One of the key factors expected to augment the growth of the global healthcare fabrics market over the forecast period is the growing number of hospitalizations. For instance, healthcare fabrics are often used in hospitals to avoid the spread and expansion of bacterial diseases, due to rising number of hospitalizations. Thus, with the rise in burden of chronic/life-threatening disease, the number of hospitalizations is also increasing rapidly, which in turn increase the use or demand for healthcare fabrics. According to the American Hospital Association, more than 133 million people in the U.S., nearly half the population, suffer from at least one chronic illness.

Outbreak of COVID-19 to underpin market growth

Another factor which is driving the growth of the global healthcare fabrics market is the outbreak of COVID-19 (pandemic) across the world. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for healthcare fabrics, such as PPE kits, medical gloves, face masks, face shields, goggles, respirators, bed sheets, and other healthcare items. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned governments to increase manufacturing of PPE kits by up to 40% to meet rising global demand. Demand for PPE kits, gloves, masks, and/or other personal protective equipment continues to grow in response to COVID-19.

Global Healthcare Fabrics Market Opportunities:

Government initiatives towards hygiene is expected to offer significant growth opportunities for players in the global healthcare fabrics market. For instance, several governments across the globe are focusing on improving consumer awareness about hygiene and health issues. This in turn is increasing or has increased demand for antibacterial textiles. In India, Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) has been working on improving the awareness of female hygiene products in villages. Such initiatives are playing an important role in improving awareness about hygiene and health issues, increasing the use or demand for hygiene products.

Increasing adoption of smart healthcare fabrics is expected to offer lucrative growth opportunities for players in the global healthcare fabrics market. For instance, the pandemic has increased the popularity of smart textiles, especially in the preventive healthcare, with applications ranging from illness diagnosis to wellness monitoring. Smart textiles are mostly used to monitor vital data, such as the patient’s heartbeat, ECG, breathing pattern, respiration, carotid pulse, physical activity, and skin temperature or impedance. In December 2020, Microban International and Manchester Mills teamed to provide antimicrobial treated textiles to healthcare facilities.

Global Healthcare Fabrics Market Trends:

Rise in demand for non-woven fabrics is a recent trend

Non-woven fabrics are often used in medical or surgical gowns, masks, and drapes. These fabrics have good heat setting property, high wet strength, excellent elasticity, good drape characteristics, and more. Non-woven fabrics also retain their physical properties in wet conditions and resistant to humidity changes. They are majorly preferred in the healthcare industry owing to their softness, comfort, strength, stretch ability, high absorbing ability of liquids, and cost. This trend is expected to continue over the forecast period, driving the market growth.

Increase in research and development is another trend

Knitting technology has been gaining popularity over the years owing to the ongoing research and development activities to manufacture high-tech medical textiles for making cell scaffolds in tissue engineering applications. Knitted fabrics are used in high-tech medical textiles, such as artificial blood vessels, hernia patches, cardiac support systems, knitted medical expandable metallic stents, and tendon scaffolds, though they make up a small part of the medical textiles. This trend is also expected to continue over the forecast period.

Global Healthcare Fabrics Market Restraints:

Increased carbon-footprint to hinder growth of the market

One of the key factors expected to hamper the growth of the global healthcare fabrics market is increase in carbon-footprint due to use of female hygiene products. High use of sanitary napkins has created the major environmental issue. According to the Menstrual Health Alliance India, one sanitary napkin take 500-800 years to decompose. All these personal hygiene products are made of non-biodegradable products and high use of such products is raising environmental concerns. Thus, with the high use hygiene products, the carbon-footprint is also increasing.

Counterfeited healthcare fabrics to hamper market growth

Another factor which is hampering the growth of the healthcare fabrics market is the counterfeited healthcare fabrics. For instance, COVID-19 pandemic increased the demand for healthcare fabrics, such as PPE kits. The US Customs and Border Protection completed 18 seizures of counterfeited and unapproved COVID-19 protective equipment and/or medications since March 2020. Some companies have also filed lawsuits against the fraudsters and terminated distributers for engaging in price gorging or violating the company policy.

Figure 2. Global Healthcare Fabrics Market Share (%), by Raw Material, 2023

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Global Healthcare Fabrics Market Segmentation:

The global healthcare fabrics market report is segmented into Raw Material, Fabric Types, Application, and Region.

Based on Raw Material, the market is segmented into Polypropylene, Cotton, Polyester, Viscose, Polyamide, and Others. Out of which, Polypropylene Segment is expected to dominate the healthcare fabrics market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the rise in use or demand for non-woven fabrics across the globe.

Cotton Segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to the increasing number of surgical procedures. Surgical dressings or surgical cotton is used to consume body fluids in hospitals, dispensaries, and nursing homes.

Based on Fabric Types, the market is segmented into Non-Woven, Woven, and Knitted. Out of which, Non-Woven Segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the rise in use or demand for non-woven fabrics across the globe.

Knitted Segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to rise in demand or adoption of high-tech medical textiles.

Based on Application, the market is segmented into Hygiene Products, Dressing Products, Clothing, Blanket & Bedding, Upholstery, Privacy Curtains, and Others. Out of which, Hygiene Products Segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the increasing demand or use of hygiene products.

Dressing Products Segment is also expected to witness significant growth in the near future and this is owing to increase in patient pool worldwide.

Global Healthcare Fabrics Market: Key Developments

In December 2021, Vietnam’s Dony launched the Dony protective cover-all designed to provide all-around protection to healthcare workers. The garments offer head-to-toe protection with ease and comfort. The coverall and gowns are made from breathable material.

In July 2021, Asahi Kasei launched Bemliese, its proprietary ultra-sustainable continuous-filament cellulosic nonwoven fabric. It is a fast-acting biodegradable and compostable material that can be utilized for a diverse array of disposable goods and applications.

In July 2021, Isko partnered with the MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Institute (CSAIL) to collaborate on research into wearable technology and smart fabrics.

Global Healthcare Fabrics Market: Key Companies Insights

The global healthcare fabrics market is highly competitive. This is attributed to the rise in demand or adoption of healthcare fabrics, as a result, players in the market are focusing on launching novel products in the market.

Some of the key players in the global healthcare fabrics market are Knoll Inc., Freudenberg Group, Avgol Ltd., Carnegie Fabrics LLC, Eximius Incorporation, Berry Global Group Inc., Asahi Kasei Corporation, Ahlstrom Munksjo OYJ, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, and Paramount Tech Fab Industries, among others.

*Definition: Healthcare fabrics are made especially for various applications. The primary goal of healthcare fabrics is to reduce the risk of contamination and the transmission of pathogens and diseases within the tissue. Polypropylene, cotton, polyester, polyamide, viscose, and other fibers can be used to make healthcare fabrics.