US Demand for Medical Plastics to Reach $6.55 Billion

Demand for medical plastics in the US is forecast to expand 2.6 percent annually to five billion pounds in 2012, valued at $6.55 billion.  Advances reflect the shift to an older demographic, resulting in a rising incidence of acute and chronic conditions and an increasing volume of patient activity. This will broaden overall demand for medical devices, supplies and packaging. Increased attention to infection control will also portend the greater use of disposable medical products and sterile packaging materials, as well as the use of materials capable of withstanding intensive sterilization. These and other trends are presented in Medical Plastics, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry research firm.

Demand for commodity plastics used in the production and packaging of medical products is expected to rise 2.3 percent yearly to 4.3 billion pounds in 2012, valued at $4.6 billion. Leading commodity resins include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, polyethylene and polystyrene. PVC growth will be stimulated by the resin’s versatility, low cost, good performance properties and the introduction of environmentally safer grades. Thermoplastic polyester and polypropylene will exhibit the most rapid growth due to opportunities in pharmaceutical and other medical product packaging. Slowest growth is anticipated for polystyrene based on saturated applications and competition from lower cost polypropylene. 

Engineering plastics accounted for eleven percent of the total volume of medical plastics in 2007, but a much higher 27 percent of total value. This results from the significantly higher price of engineering plastics compared to commodity plastics. Demand for engineering plastics is expected to expand 5.2 percent annually to 630 million pounds in 2012, reaching nearly $2 billion. Advances will be based on needs for higher performing materials in surgical instruments, diagnostic testing, drug delivery, geriatric care and preventative medicine.  Best opportunities are anticipated in surgical and medical instruments, while faster growth is expected in surgical appliances and supplies. Polycarbonate will remain the leading engineering resin and exhibit the best growth prospects based on expanded needs for high clarity, impact resistance and other enhanced performance properties.

The Freedonia Group is a leading international business research company, founded in 1985, that publishes more than 100 industry research studies annually. This industry analysis provides an unbiased outlook and a reliable assessment of an industry and includes product segmentation and demand forecasts, industry trends, demand history, threats and opportunities, competitive strategies, market share determinations and company profiles.