Market Challenges And Opportunities

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 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.