SURGICAL DRAPES AND GOWNS MARKET ANALYSIS
The global surgical drapes and gowns market is estimated to be valued at USD 3.20 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 4.56 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2024 to 2031.
Discover market dynamics shaping the industry request sample copy
The surgical drapes and gowns market is expected to witness substantial growth over the forecast period. Key factors such as increasing number of surgical procedures performed worldwide on an annual basis and growing awareness regarding infection control in clinical settings are expected to drive the market growth. Additionally, rising demand for nonwoven materials-based surgical drapes and gowns owing to their properties such as high liquid resistance, bacteria barrier, and breathability is further expected to support the revenue generation in the industry. Also, the growing adoption of surgical gowns and drapes due to regulatory compliance for infection control during surgeries will supplement the market expansion during the next few years. However, higher pricing of advanced surgical drapes and gowns and availability of cheaper substitutes may hamper the market growth to some extent.
Growing concerns regarding infections in hospitals
Growing concerns about hospital-acquired infections are a major factor boosting the global surgical drapes and gowns market. Hospitals aim to provide hygienic environments to patients during surgeries by effectively using surgical drapes and gowns. These products act as barriers and help prevent the spread of infections from patient to patient as well as from patient to staff members. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), on any given day, over 1.4 million people worldwide suffer from hospital-acquired infections. With the rising prevalence of such infections, hospitals and healthcare facilities are procuring more surgical drapes and gowns which are proven to significantly reduce pathogen transmission if used appropriately. Surgical drapes and gowns allow medical professionals to easily isolate the surgical site and limit contact between non-sterile surfaces and the surgical area. Their use is evidence-based practice recommended by standards and guidelines set by health organizations. According to a 2021 report by UNICEF, lack of essential supplies like surgical kits in healthcare facilities of developing nations is still a major concern. However, with increased funding and awareness about infections, more hospitals globally are ensuring adequate supplies of surgical draping and gowning solutions which has boosted their overall demand. Going forward, the market is anticipated to witness continued growth. Advanced materials being used for manufacturing surgical draping and gowning products are adding an extra layer of protection.
Get actionable strategies to beat competition: Get instant access to report
Increasing number of surgeries
The global surgical drapes and gowns market has been witnessing significant growth in recent years driven by the rising number of surgical procedures performed worldwide. With the growing geriatric population and increasing prevalence of chronic and lifestyle diseases, there has been a substantial increase in the demand for various types of surgeries such as cardiac, orthopedic, neurological, etc. According to data from the World Health Organization, approximately 312 million major surgical procedures were performed globally in 2020. This number is estimated to grow over 15% by 2023. The growing disease burden and improving access to healthcare are some of the key factors contributing to this rise in surgical volumes. For instance, cardiovascular diseases which often require surgical interventions such as cardiac bypass, heart valve replacement, etc. are reported to be the leading cause of death globally by the WHO. It is projected that by 2030, over 23 million cardiovascular procedures will be performed annually worldwide. This steady increase in surgical caseloads has led to a proportional rise in the utilization of surgical drapes and gowns across hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Surgical drapes are used to cover patients and surgical instruments in the operating room to maintain sterility and prevent contamination during procedures. Similarly, surgical gowns are worn as personal protective equipment by surgeons and clinical staff involved in operations to avoid transmission of infections. With more procedures being carried out, the demand for these essential disposable products from the operating room has witnessed significant growth over the past few years.
Key Takeaways from Analyst:
The global surgical drapes and gowns market is expected to witness steady growth in the coming years. The rising number of surgical procedures across the world will be a major driver of demand for surgical drapes and gowns. With increasing affordability and accessibility of healthcare, more people are undergoing surgeries. This will create sustained need for drapes and gowns which are essential during surgeries to maintain sterility and prevent infections. North America currently dominates the market due to its advanced healthcare infrastructure and high surgery rates. However, growth is likely to be higher in Asia Pacific as developing countries here are steadily raising their healthcare spending. Within Asia, China and India stand out as markets with immense untapped potential.
On the supply side, stringent regulations around surgical procedure safety pose some challenges to market players. Compliance with various quality standards increases production costs. Smaller companies may find it difficult to meet all regulatory requirements. However, larger players are investing in R&D to develop more advanced drape and gown varieties with added features like liquid barriers and breathability. This is an opportunity to charge premium prices and gain market share. Overall, awareness about infection risks and importance of maintaining sterile environments during surgeries will ensure the demand for surgical drapes and gowns remains robust across major healthcare markets globally.
Market Challenges: Higher prices of drapes and gowns
The increasing prices of surgical drapes and gowns has been presenting a major challenge for the growth of the global surgical drapes and gowns market. As per numerous industry experts and hospital administrators, surgical drapes and gowns are among the regular consumables and disposables that see constant rise in prices frequently. This increase in prices is primarily attributed to rising costs of raw materials like non-woven fabrics, cotton and polymers which are used extensively in manufacturing surgical drapes and gowns. Since drapes and gowns need to be disposed after single use as per standards of sterility, the higher product prices directly impact the budgets of hospitals and healthcare facilities. When input costs are increasing consistently, medical device companies are compelled to regularly hike the MRP of their drape and gown offerings in order to maintain adequate profit margins. As a result, many large public hospitals and those located in small towns find it difficult to set aside higher funds every year just for purchasing drapes and gowns. In turn, they either reduce the number of surgeries or compromise on quality by shifting to cheaper alternatives available in the market. The rising economic burden of healthcare combined with low governmental health spending has already made quality medical services inaccessible for a significant section of population globally.
Market Opportunities: Growth potential in ambulatory service centers
Ambulatory surgical centers are poised to drive significant growth in the surgical drapes and gowns market. Ambulatory or same-day surgery allows many procedures to be performed outside of a hospital setting, with patients able to return home the same day. This streamlines healthcare delivery and saves costs compared to traditional inpatient surgery. The number of ambulatory surgical centers has been increasing steadily over the past decade. For example, estimates from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD, 2021) found the number of ambulatory care facilities increased over 20% from 2010 to 2019 across OECD countries. As more complex surgeries migrate from hospitals to these centers, it increases the need for surgical drapes, gowns and other sterile products. The future trends point to even stronger growth potential for this sector. Healthcare systems globally are seeking ways to manage rising costs while still meeting patient demand. Same-day or ambulatory surgery addresses this need by freeing up expensive hospital beds for more serious cases. The COVID-19 pandemic also demonstrated the value of decentralizing healthcare infrastructure. All of these factors are expected to further drive expansion of ambulatory surgical centers in the coming years. For instance, projections from the World Bank (2022) estimate that the healthcare demand will rise sharply with global population growth, aging populations, and increasing rates of non-communicable diseases. This increased workload will necessitate greater optimization of surgical resources through greater adoption of ambulatory models of care.
Discover high revenue pocket segments and roadmap to it: Get instant access to report
By Product Type - Affordability Drives General Procedure Drapes Segment Growth
In terms of product type, surgical drapes is expected to contribute 50% of the market share owing to its widespread applicability and cost-effectiveness. General procedure drapes are designed for use in basic surgical procedures that do not require specialized equipment or materials. Featuring universal design and basic constructs, general drapes can be utilized across a variety of routine operations from minor vascular access to abdominal examinations. Their versatility allows for use in over 50% of all surgical procedures performed globally each year. As a result, general drapes experience consistently high demand in hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory centers worldwide. In addition, general drapes offer an affordable solution for providers compared to more specialized drapes. Their simpler design translates to lower manufacturing costs which are then passed onto customers. This price advantage makes general drapes accessible for resource-constrained medical facilities in developing regions. It also encourages use among value-conscious practitioners and administrators in mature markets seeking to minimize expenses. Overall, the universal functionality and value proposition of general procedure drapes have driven their unparalleled uptake across the global surgical drapes market.
By Usage Pattern - Disposability Increases Demand in Disposable Surgical Drapes and Gowns
In terms of usage pattern, disposable is expected to contribute 60% of the market share in 2024 due to stringent infection control norms and convenience factors. Regulatory agencies worldwide have enacted strict guidelines in recent decades mandating the use of disposable drapes and gowns in surgical environments. This is aimed at limiting the spread of hospital-acquired infections through cross-contamination between patients. Disposable drapes and gowns engineered from breathable non-woven materials offer a reliable means to satisfy these hygienic standards through single-use applications. Additionally, disposable drapes and gowns alleviate the need for laundering and sterilization of reusable products. This translates to reduced workload for cleaning staff and lower indirect costs associated with reusable items like maintenance and repair. From a patient perspective, disposable drapes and gowns provide a fresher, more hygienic experience compared to reused fabrics which are perceived to carry higher disease risk. The workload reduction, cost-savings to providers, and comfort factors for users have boosted the widespread preference for disposable drapes and gowns over reusable varieties.
By End User - Increased Access Points are Driving the Hospitals & Clinics Segment
In terms of end user, hospitals & clinics is expected to contribute 70% of the market share in 2024 owing to the concentration of specialized surgical facilities and capacities in this segment. Hospitals serve as key access points for specialized and complex surgical procedures that require dedicated infrastructure and personnel. They house specialized operating rooms, catheterization labs, endoscopy suites and other critical care facilities equipped to handle a diverse surgical case load. With expansive in-patient and out-patient surgical volumes, hospitals account for over 70% of all procedures conducted annually. This scale and scope of advanced operations drives disproportionately high demand for surgical drapes and gowns from the hospital segment. Additionally, the shift towards super-specialty tertiary and quaternary care hospitals has boomed access to advanced surgery worldwide. Meanwhile, emerging multi-specialty clinic networks now deliver a wide range of surgical services previously concentrated in hospitals. Combined, these factors have expanded the physical footprint and case volumes handled within the hospitals & clinics segment globally. The consolidation of specialized surgical capacities and rising patient throughput within this end user group cements its leadership role in the drapes and gowns market.
To learn more about this report, request sample copy
The North America region currently dominates the global surgical drapes and gowns market. The region is expected to account for 40.2% of the market share in 2024. The presence of leading medical device manufacturers as well as established healthcare infrastructure and facilities have contributed to its large market size. With the U.S. being one of the largest healthcare spenders globally, there is immense demand for surgical drapes and gowns. Furthermore, the region actively encourages medical research and development which further accelerates product innovations. This has ensured continuous product purchases and kept the North American market ahead of other regions.
On the other hand, the Asia Pacific region is projected to witness the fastest growth over the coming years. Majority of the leading market players are looking to establish their manufacturing bases in Southeast Asian countries to cater to the rising healthcare needs. With improving access to healthcare and growing medical tourism, countries like India and China offer lucrative opportunities. Additionally, their large population size along with increasing healthcare expenditures will drive further market penetration. The pricing of surgical drapes and gowns is also comparatively lower owing to lower manufacturing costs. This makes the products more affordable for the providers and patients in Asia Pacific region as compared to developed markets. The region provides a favorable environment for sustained market expansion. If the same growth momentum continues, Asia Pacific may emerge as the dominant regional market for surgical drapes and gowns in the near future.
Surgical Drapes And Gowns Market Report Coverage
| Report Coverage | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Year: | 2023 | Market Size in 2024: | US$ 3.20 Bn |
| Historical Data for: | 2019 To 2023 | Forecast Period: | 2024 To 2031 |
| Forecast Period 2024 to 2031 CAGR: | 5.2% | 2031 Value Projection: | US$ 4.56 Bn |
| Geographies covered: |
|
||
| Segments covered: |
|
||
| Companies covered: |
Cardinal Health, Inc., 3M Health Care, Medline Industries, Inc., Mölnlycke Health Care AB, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. , Steris plc, Paul Hartmann AG, Ahlstrom-Munksjö, Priontex, Lohmann & Rauscher GmbH & Co. KG, Guardian Surgical, Dynarex Corporation, Fullstar Non-Woven Products Co., Ltd., Winner Medical Co., Ltd., Alpha Pro Tech, Ltd., and Graham Medical |
||
| Growth Drivers: |
|
||
| Restraints & Challenges: |
|
||
Uncover macros and micros vetted on 75+ parameters: Get instant access to report
*Definition: The global surgical drapes and gowns market consists of medical textile products that are used as barriers to prevent cross-contamination between healthcare staff, patients and surgical equipment during medical procedures. Surgical drapes help create a sterile field during surgery while gowns protect healthcare professionals and patients from pathogens. Key products include disposable and non-disposable drapes and gowns used in hospitals, outpatient facilities, and other healthcare settings to maintain sterility and infection control standards.
Share
About Author
Komal Dighe is a Management Consultant with over 8 years of experience in market research and consulting. She excels in managing and delivering high-quality insights and solutions in Health-tech Consulting reports. Her expertise encompasses conducting both primary and secondary research, effectively addressing client requirements, and excelling in market estimation and forecast. Her comprehensive approach ensures that clients receive thorough and accurate analyses, enabling them to make informed decisions and capitalize on market opportunities.
Missing comfort of reading report in your local language? Find your preferred language :
Transform your Strategy with Exclusive Trending Reports :
Frequently Asked Questions
Credibility and Certifications
860519526
9001:2015
27001:2022
Need a Custom Report?
We can customize every report - free of charge - including purchasing stand-alone sections or country-level reports
Customize NowSelect a License Type
Credibility and Certifications
860519526
9001:2015
27001:2022
Joining thousands of companies around the world committed to making the Excellent Business Solutions.
View All Our Clients
U.S.: 
U.K. : 
India : 
