Nonwoven medical disposables have emerged as key constituents of the
healthcare sector with the product’s one-use trait providing an edge over the
age-old woven fabrics used in the hospitals. Furthermore a news published on
the company site of, ‘Smithers Apex’ adds to the former speculations by
indicating that the medical nonwoven segment is ready to observe a hike of
approximately $2 billion by the end of 2018. Undoubtedly this magnification in
the international market for nonwoven disposables are being felt due to the
factors such as tremendous advancements in the production technology,
strengthening concentration on irradiating the HAIs or hospital acquired
infections and doctoring up the healthcare infrastructure and offering across developing
nations. In a recent outbreak of Ebola in the Sierra Leone has recently brought
two hull players Microgard and Arco, who paired up to supply safety systems
like disposable suits to British troops against Ebola.
Growing focus on controlling deadly infection as a way to cut down on
the healthcare cost reveals that clinics, hospitals and various healthcare
facilities are considering disposables as prerequisite. Eyeing this 150
attendees from over 55 countries attended the Asia Pacific Asia Pacific
Nonwovens Symposium to catch up with the future market trends into hygienic
applications. Meanwhile, the rising concerns over the widespread infectious
diseases like hepatitis, Ebola and AIDS has triggered demand from medical
facilities for hygienic, clean sanitary disposables for protecting health
professionals as well as patients from infection. To top it all the wound care
and closure segment that is estimated to reach nearly $20 billion, worldwide by
the end of 2020 too has contributed to the growth of the medical nonwovens.
Health requirements of the aging population, rising instances of chronic
illness as well as the constant increase in hospital and clinic admissions have
resulted in a huge demand for nonwovens. The market growth can also be traced
to hike in inpatient as well as outpatient procedures and emerging trends in
the home care industry. In a recent report published by Allied Market Research
titled “Global Medical Nonwoven Disposables Market”, the most lucrative regions
to witness rise in the nonwoven medical disposables includes LAMEA, North
America, Asia-Pacific and Europe . The report also indicates that the medical
nonwoven disposable industry worldwide is believed to see a CAGR of
approximately 9.6 percent through 2015 to 2020. The study also reveals that the
medical nonwoven products industry had accounted for an industry share of
nearly 54.8 percent in 2014 and would continue to progress through 2020.
To top it all, the strict regulations embraced for safety purpose in
different hospitals or healthcare centres have increased need for various
products including wipes, facial masks, gloves and gowns among other
disposables. A latest invention in the disposable product segment the GoGown
has been developed on a simple self-contained bundled concept to reduce
contamination risk. Further the nonwoven sale of Ahlstrom this year has reached
$1.35 billion making it the leading nonwoven manufacturers globally. The vice
president of communication, at Ahlstrom Liisa Nyyssönen
said “We need a more open mindset,” Nyyssönen explained “The sweet spot of innovation is to combine
these new technological opportunities with the market needs…what our customer’s
customer is looking for.”
Lastly, the companies playing an active role in the
nonwoven medical disposable industry include Asahi Kasei Corporation, Medline
Industries Inc. Unicharm Corporation, Polymer Group Inc. and MRK Healthcare
Pvt. Ltd among several other market players.
