Global medical nonwoven disposables market to reach $12 billion by 2010

Healthcare Purchasing News, May, 2008

With increases in the range of infectious diseases and regulations put into effect in healthcare and hospital facilities, nonwovens has emerged as a goldmine for roll manufacturers fuelled by consumer demand. Nonwoven disposables are rapidly making inroads into the medical sector, principally driven by growing consumer awareness against spread of infectious diseases such as AIDS and Hepatitis. The stringent standards being imposed by various regulatory agencies globally are also impacting the use of nonwovens positively. Though the medical market is increasingly moving towards non-invasive surgeries, overall impact on the nonwoven disposables market remains miniscule.

The United States is the largest medical nonwovens market in the world and is projected to exceed $3.4 billion by the year 2010, as stated by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. With the volume of sophisticated hi-tech surgical intervention growing rapidly, Europe is projected to experience high growth in medical nonwovens sector in the coming years. Alternatively, Asia-Pacific offers massive potential in the long run largely driven by some of the fastest growing global economies, including China and India. Nonwoven disposables forms a part of a variety of medical applications, including the manufacture of surgical packs, sterilization packaging, protective footwear, facial masks, hospital beddings, linens, towels, drapes, gowns, and gloves among others. About 3.3 billion square yards of nonwoven material is used in medical and surgical applications in North America alone. This indicates the potential of the market lying ahead and opens up newer avenues for the producers. Among product segments, surgical nonwoven products market is the largest and the fastest growing segment and is projected to cross $5.0 billion by the year 2010.

The report titled "Medical Nonwoven Disposables: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends and issues, growth drivers, demographic trends, product overview, product introductions/innovations, and recent industry activity. Key players dominating the global medical nonwoven disposables market include Ahlstrom Corporation, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Attends Healthcare Products, Buckeye Technologies, Covidien, DUPONT, Fiberweb Plc, Freudenberg Nonwovens, Hogy Medical, Kao Corporation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Medline Industries, Molnlycke Health Care, Nissan Medical Industries, Polymer Group, Precision Fabrics Group, SCA Hygiene Products, THE HARTMANN GROUP, and UniCharm Corp. www.strategyr.com/Medical_Nonwoven_DisposablesMarket_Report.asp