Rising Prevalence of HAIs Fueling Antimicrobial Additive Demand

The antimicrobial additives market stood at $1,753.2 million in 2019, and it is projected to reach $3,784.3 million by 2030, displaying a CAGR of 7.4% during 2020–2030. This market thrives on the escalating threat of bio-resistance in patients owing to the intake of antibiotic drugs and surging incidence of pathogen transmission from human-to-human contact. Besides, the increasing awareness among customers regarding health issues and growing adoption of these additives in the food and beverages, aviation, healthcare, mining, packaging, and construction sectors will fuel the market growth.

The increasing consumer awareness about general hygiene and microbial spread will propel the demand for antimicrobial additives in the coming years. Thus, the large-scale consumption of these products in the medical sector will support the antimicrobial additives market growth. The increasing incidence of life-threatening ailments, such as COVID-19, and the constant threat of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) have generated awareness among people regarding the causes and prevention of diseases. Therefore, the healthcare industry is developing products containing antimicrobial additives to prevent the spread of these diseases.

The administration of novel technologies, accessories, and drugs and consumption of antimicrobial additives will draft a technological shift in this sector, thereby reflecting antimicrobial additives market advance. The World Health Organization (WHO) propounds that the application of these additives should be increased in the healthcare industry, as the provision of conventional antimicrobial treatments is a time taking process. The decisions for antimicrobial treatments in medical facilities are made by healthcare professionals and patients, which consumes time and often poses health risks from viral, fungal, parasitic, and bacterial infections.

Another key driver for the market is the threat of bio-resistance in patients due to antibiotic treatments. People are prescribed antibiotics for as simple and harmless a condition as a rhinovirus infection (common cold). With the repeated usage of such drugs, the microbes develop immunity to them, and more-virulent forms of infections strike people. Therefore, to counter this threat, a lot of everyday-use and medical products are being integrated with antimicrobial additives, so that pathogen transmission can be prevented at the source and requirement for antibiotics reduced.

The material type segment of the antimicrobial additives market is classified into foam, plastics and polymers, paper, paints and coatings, textiles and fabrics, rubber, laminates, and ceramics. Under this segment, the plastics and polymers category accounted for the largest market share in 2019, and it is projected to be the frontrunner in the forecast period too. This can be ascribed to the burgeoning demand for plastics and polymers from medical instrument manufacturers. These materials are replacing conventional materials in anesthetic equipment and surgical ventilators, as they can minimize the risk of infections by containing the spread of contaminants.

In 2019, North America dominated the antimicrobial additives market, owing to the existence of key market players, expansion of end-use industries, and high awareness regarding the advantages of such chemicals. Additionally, the increasing government support for research and development (R&D) in the field has also contributed to the growth of the regional market. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) market is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. This can be majorly attributed to the continuous advancements in technology and high-volume production of healthcare, construction, packaging, and food and beverage products.

Thus, the rising awareness about health issues and increasing production of medical devices and equipment will fuel the market growth in the foreseeable future.