The Global Medical Polyethylene Market accounted for US$ 5,246 Mn in 2021 and is expected to reach US$ 8,921 Mn by 2030 with a considerable CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast timeframe of 2022 to 2030.

Polyethylene (PE) is a thermoplastic material with a variable crystalline form that can be used for a wide range of applications depending on the type. It is among the most widely available plastics on the planet, with hundreds of thousands of tons produced annually. Furthermore, PE in medical applications offers a number of competitive advantages to health care providers and medical product designers. Additionally, polyethylene (PE) and some other polymers are used to make mission-critical medical products like patches, packaging films, personal protective equipment, containers, tubing, and pouches; as a result, they can play a critical role in promoting cleanliness and wellness. PE materials in the healthcare sector can be designed for specific applications, reducing the need to sterilize and reuse devices and thus aiding disease prevention. Following the COVID-19 global pandemic, there has been an increase in demand for polyethylene in healthcare applications due to increased demand for personal hygiene products as well as protective equipment such as PPE kits and sanitizers.

Drivers

·         The rapidly increasing pharmaceutical devices market

·         Rising aging populations and consequential medical procedures

·         Increasing demand for polyethylene-based surgical instruments

Restraints

·         Presence of stringent regulations

·         Price fluctuations of raw materials

Opportunities

·         Changing trends towards home health care treatment

·         The growing use of disposable medical equipment

Medical Polyethylene Market Dynamics

Polypropylene is expected to see significant growth in medical industrial applications due to its high microbial and chemical resistance, low weight, and low cost. It also has a wide range of applications in the production of medical disposables. The medical-grade polyethylene industry is expected to expand significantly during the forecast timeframe as a result of improved medical services and infrastructure, an increase in surgical procedures, and an increase in chronic diseases. Furthermore, the growing orthopedic industry is projected to boost the market of the medical polyethylene industry. Moreover, increasing healthcare investment, combined with an aging society, is expected to propel the market growth. Furthermore, an increase in disposable income and a dramatic change in lifestyle will drive the demand for medical polyethylene even higher. Besides that, the production of polyethylene requires a large amount of energy and produces a huge amount of carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change and global warming. These are the most significant impediments to market growth. 

Market Segmentation

Market by Type

·         HDPE

·         LDPE

Due to the high melting point, good resistance to dilute acids, alcohol, and alkalis, high density, low-cost polymer with good processability and good electrochemical insulation, good impact strength, very low water absorption, and FDA compliance, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and high-density polyethylene (LDPE) have seen growing consumption in the medical end-use industry. HDPE is widely used in the medical industry because it does not absorb moisture and has good chemical resistance. HDPE is non-toxic and food-grade, making it perfect for medical applications such as tubing and containers. Additionally, with some formulations with certain plastic additives, PE polymer also has antimicrobial properties. For example, SABIC and Mauser have joined forces to introduce a new grade of HDPE in order to expand the market for blown containers for clinical and medical applications.

Besides that, LDPE is a more supple and flexible plastic than HDPE. However, it does acquire inferior mechanical properties, making it less appropriate for demanding applications that may require high-performance plastics.

Market by Application

·         Medical Tubing

·         Medical Bags

·         Disposables

·         Containers

·         Medical Implants

·         Drug Testing Equipment

Based on the application, the medical tubing application segment accounted for the largest market share in 2021 and is expected to grow significantly over the forecast timeframe. Polyethylene tubing is an FDA-approved tubing option that is ideal for a wide range of fluid, liquid, and gas transfer applications. Polyethylene tubing is resistant to leakage, which aids in contamination prevention. Furthermore, when compared to metallic tubing, PE products can be bulk produced at a lower cost. In addition to lower production costs, PE products can be much more durable than any other material, preventing stress and strain from high pressure. Metal products are much more susceptible to corrosion and many other types of corrosion, so they may need to be supplemented more frequently. However, plastic products are not only more efficient in many situations, but they would also reduce the amount of time hospital staff spends on decontamination and sterilization.

Medical Polyethylene Market Regional Overview