Medical Polyoxymethylene (POM) Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Type (Copolymer POM, Homopolymer POM), By Application (Dialysis Machine, Inhalers, Medical Trays, Handles for Surgical Instruments, Insulin Pen, Pharmaceutical Closures, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2025 To 2030

Medical Polyoxymethylene Market Size:

The medical polyoxymethylene (POM) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.01%, from US$ 84.981 million in 2025 to US$108.511 million in 2030.

Medical Polyoxymethylene (POM) Market Highlights:

• POM’s biocompatibility, strength, and chemical resistance boost its use in medical applications.
• Key applications include dialysis machines, surgical tools, and drug delivery systems.
• Celanese Corporation plans a sustainable POM manufacturing process, announced in May 2024.
• Rising healthcare expenditure and advanced production fuel market growth globally.

Medical polyoxymethylene, commonly called POM or acetal, is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic used in the medical industry for various applications. POM, designed for medical or healthcare applications, is an engineering plastic that can withstand a variety of cleaning and sanitizing solutions. Furthermore, POM medical grades can be sterilized with hot steam using standard medical sector processes. It is utilized in medical applications, including surgical tools, orthopedic implants, medication delivery systems, and dental equipment. Its biocompatibility, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability make it ideal for medical applications.

Its unique properties, including high stiffness, enhanced dimensional stability, and low friction coefficient, are increasing its consumption by pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies for medical device manufacturing processes. Copolymer POM and homopolymer POM are the most used types of medical polyoxymethylene. Homopolymer POM is made from a single type of monomer that consists of repetitions of the same molecule, resulting in a high degree of crystallinity and stiffness in addition to its high mechanical and thermal properties. In contrast, copolymer POM is a polymer made from two different types of monomers. Medical polyoxymethylene is dominantly consumed for manufacturing dialysis machines, inhalers, medical trays, handles for surgical instruments, insulin pens, and pharmaceutical closures.

The growing demand for sustainable materials in the healthcare industry, driven by the awareness of environmental issues, is creating a high demand for medical POM since POM is a recyclable material. Several healthcare equipment manufacturers are incorporating recycled POM into their products to reduce their environmental footprint. Further, the growth in healthcare expenditure and infrastructure, the rise in demand for medical devices, and the developments in the production of advanced grades of medical POM are anticipated to result in the expansion of the medical polyoxymethylene market over the forecast period.

The increasing number of diabetic patients, as well as the growing need for insulin pens as a viable diabetes care and treatment alternative, is driving up demand for medical POM. According to the World Bank statistics, the prevalence of diabetes as a percentage of the total population in China increased from 8.8% in 2011 to 10.6% in 2021, showing significant growth in diabetes in the nation.

The properties of POM include mechanical strength and rigidity in bearing and articulation surfaces of knee joints, as well as the ability to hold large loads and strains that are often encountered in human activities. At the same time, POM has higher wear resistance and lower coefficients of getting and wearing debris, which is important for long-term performance. This aligns with the long-term need for knee implants and joints. According to a National Health Service article, 70,000 knee replacement procedures were performed in 2022.

Apart from this, product launches and innovations in the medical Polyoxymethylene market drive its market growth by introducing advanced materials and designs. This improves biocompatibility, durability, and functionality in surgical instruments and implantable devices, thereby meeting the rising demand for safer and more effective medical treatments. Diagnostic instruments and accessories need materials, such as BASF's medical grades Ultradur PRO and Ultraform PRO, that can fulfill a wide range of criteria, from sterilization and chemical resistance to exceptional durability and tribological qualities.

Further, Polyplastics introduced the DURACON POM (Polyoxymethylene/Acetal) PM Series to the polyacetal market for medical grade use and intended to supply more material to sectors like medical and healthcare, as per the June 2023 press release. Since its establishment, Polyplastics has provided the cyclic olefin copolymer with high purity to the medical and healthcare market under the name of TOPAS COC.

Medical Polyoxymethylene (POM) Market Drivers:

• The rise in medical devices and equipment demand is propelling the medical POM market growth.

POM is extensively used to manufacture medical devices that require frequent cleaning and sterilization due to its ability to resist chemical and biological agents. The Indian Brand Equity Foundation estimated that the Indian medical devices sector reached US$12 billion in 2021, with approximately US$2.53 billion worth of exports. Further, the Indian Medical Devices Industry estimated that the number of medical device imports in India increased by 41% to increase from Rs. 44,708 crore in 2021 to Rs. 63,200 crore in 2022. The biocompatibility of medical POM, since it does not cause harmful or toxic reactions to human tissue, and its recyclability, is increasing its consumption by healthcare companies. Therefore, the rising consumption of medical instruments and equipment in most of the world, driven by the pandemic and the general rise in the consumption of healthcare facilities by consumers, is driving the growth of the medical POM market.

POM remains the best material for applications when medical technology advances and requires a more complex device, since it has desirable characteristics such as biocompatibility, chemical invariance, and mechanical properties. This polymer is highly versatile and has a wide range of applications, including its use in surgical instruments, implantable devices, drug administration, and diagnostic tools. Furthermore, the medical POM market is anticipated to grow with the surge in the medical device industry.

According to International Trade Administration data, the trade for medical devices and equipment in the United States and India has significantly increased from $8,975 million in 2019 to $11,914 million in 2021. This rise in trade is anticipated to positively impact the medical polyoxymethylene market.  Furthermore, according to Mexico's Ministry of Economy, the states with the largest amounts of imports of instruments and appliances used in medical sciences were Baja California (USD 380 million), Tamaulipas (USD 295 million), Mexico City (USD 210 million), Jalisco (USD 93.1 million), and Nuevo León (USD 74.1 million).

Comprehensively, medical equipment is subject to severe regulatory criteria, which favor materials with an established track record of safety and dependability, such as POM. Further advancement in this sector predicts the need for POM, as this is essential in meeting the testing quality demands that are used in the development of improved and safer solutions in the health sector.

Medical Polyoxymethylene (POM) Market Segmentation Analysis:

• Copolymer POMs are experiencing significant market growth

The medical POM market by type is segmented into copolymer polyoxymethylene and homopolymer polyoxymethylene. The advantages of the copolymer grades are such as better oxidation resistance and exhibit better resistance to creep. Copolymer polyoxymethylene has superior long-term performance, such as creep resistance, fatigue, endurance, and strength retention. This substance has fewer mold deposits. The melting point is 166 °C for a copolymer and 178 °C for a homopolymer. The use of the different types of copolymers can be decided for different applications and technical necessities.

• The rising demand for dialysis machines is propelling the market expansion

The medical POM market is segmented by application into dialysis machines, inhalers, medical trays, handles for surgical instruments, insulin pens, pharmaceutical closures, and others. A dialysis machine is a medical device used to remove waste from the body or harmful substances in the body. Usually, dialysis is given to patients whose kidneys are failing. When the kidneys do not filter blood as they should, wastes and toxins increase in the body.  There are two major causes of kidney failure: high blood pressure and diabetes. The major reason for the increased kidney failure is the increasing consumption of alcohol. Heavy drinking, binge drinking, and chronic drinking cause serious ailments in the functioning of the kidneys.

Further, the increasing number of cases of diabetes worldwide is also a major cause of kidney failure. Diabetes may cause damage to the nerves in the body, which can lead to difficulty in emptying the bladder, and injure the kidneys. According to the International Diabetes Federation, the increase in diabetes from 2021 to 2030 would be 16.52%, and from 2030 to 2045, it is predicted to increase by 21.92%. The number in 2030 is predicted to be 6,42,800 ('000) and in 2045 to be 7,83,700 ('000). Increasing cases of kidney malfunction would generate the demand for the dialysis machine that could be used for dialysis. The increased usage of dialysis machines would increase the use of polyoxymethylene material, which is chemically resistant and thus increasing the efficiency of the device.

• Inhalers are also expected to grow considerably

Asthma is becoming one of the major noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), affecting both children and adults. This is due to the increasing ambient (outdoor) air pollution and household air pollution. According to the World Health Organisation, air pollution is estimated to have caused 3.2 million people's premature deaths worldwide due to household air pollution. In the United States, about 1 in 12 people have asthma. This increase in asthma and other lung-related diseases would increase the demand for inhalers. The Inhalers are used to deliver metered doses of medicines through the mouth.

In Australia, the prevalence of asthma has been steady. In 2022, 9.2 % and 10.5% of males and females, respectively, were in the age group of 25-34, similarly, between the age group of 35 to 44, 9.8% of males and 15.8% of females suffered from asthma. This condition is likely to increase in the future with the growing urbanization and air pollution.

• By application, the rising demand for insulin pens is expected to expand the market

The rise in the number of people with diabetes worldwide and the increasing demand for insulin pens as an effective diabetes care and treatment option is increasing the demand for medical POM. For instance, the International Diabetes Federation estimated that the annual prevalence rate of diabetes worldwide has increased by 3% over the last decade. In addition, it is projected that the total number of global diabetes patients will increase from 536.5 million in 2021 to 783.2 million in 2045. The rise in diabetic patients is increasing the use of insulin pens. Medical POM is commonly used in manufacturing insulin pens due to its unique properties to withstand frequent usage and other handling processes. In addition, the ability of medical POM to maintain its shape despite its exposure to different temperatures and pressures, which ensures the proper functioning of the pen and prevention of leakage or damage to the insulin cartridge, is resulting in its consumption in insulin pens.

Medical Polyoxymethylene (POM) Market Geographical Outlook:

• Asia Pacific, particularly China, is witnessing substantial market growth

The Asia Pacific POM market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. Some of the emerging economies in APAC are experiencing tremendous industrialization and urbanization processes. This has resulted in an increased need for sophisticated procedures, diagnosis, equipment, and infrastructural development in the healthcare sector and is, therefore, fueling the medical POM market. In addition, the marked industrial development of the producing countries and the localization of the production of final and semifinished goods for the manufacture of engineered plastics has also helped the market expansion. Moreover, government policies in favor of the business environment, like India’s ‘Make in India’ scheme, are also anticipated to create growth possibilities in the medical industry, thus growing the demand for medical POM.

The medical POM market has been steadily expanding over the last few years, with a special emphasis on China as a rapidly developing country. The country has now evolved to become one of the most significant market competitors due to several factors. At the top of the list is the augmented usage of insulin pens and other POM medical facilities due to the increasing prevalence of diabetes. In this regard, according to the research paper published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2022, it was stated that 92% of the injecting patients in China already use insulin pens, while on the other hand, 3.4% still use syringes, wherein 3% use a combination of insulin pens and syringes and 0.7% use pens and pumps. The usage and rise in adoption of insulin pens in China are expected to be a major factor driving market growth. Diabetes mellitus is a disease that has exhibited an upsurge in the country, and this has been attributed to high demand for insulin pens, among other medical instruments. These demands are expected to remain high and, therefore, assist in the development of the Chinese POM market.

The market growth can also be attributed to the rapidly expanding medical devices industry which has a direct bearing on the market for portable oxygen concentrators. The medical devices industry has witnessed substantial Investments, resulting in the production and consumption of POM being on the rise in the country. This was driven by government efforts towards expanding healthcare facilities and increased concerns for the role of medical devices in the provision of healthcare.

Additionally, there is an increased demand in China for POM due to its need for drug contact and delivery services. There has been substantial production of pharmaceuticals required in the country, hence leading to demand for POM-based medical devices like inhalers and insulin pens. Further, due to the government’s policy on sustainable development and concern for the environment, customer awareness to reduce the use of non-environmentally friendly materials such as rubber has shifted to POM. The increasing demand for sustainable products, especially in the administration of healthcare facilities, is anticipated to further boost the Chinese POM market in the foreseeable future.

• The North American market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period.

The presence of established international medical and pharmaceutical companies in the region, manufacturing medical equipment, and the rising healthcare expenditure by consumers is driving the medical POM market in the region. For instance, the American Medical Association estimated that the healthcare expenditure in the US in 2021 amounted to US$4,255.1 billion. Further, the growing demand for dialysis machines, driven by the rise in kidney failures among patients, is expected to increase the consumption of medical POM. The American Kidney Fund projected that approximately 570,000 patients are on dialysis machines and that the growth rates of kidney failures are expected to augment the demand for dialysis machines.

Medical Polyoxymethylene (POM) Market Product Offerings:

• Celanex POM by Celanese Corporation – Celanese Corporation is a leading global chemical and specialty materials company in the US that manufactures medical-grade polyoxymethylene (POM) under its brand, Celanex. Celanex POM is a high-performance thermoplastic used in various medical applications due to its properties to meet the requirements of thermoplastic polyesters of medical companies.
• Ultraform POM by BASF –BASF is an international chemical company that produces a range of medical-grade polyoxymethylene (POM) in its Ultraform product line. BASF offers a range of medical-grade Ultraform POM grades that comply with various regulatory requirements, such as ISO 10993, and are high-performance thermoplastics widely used in medical applications.
• TECAFORM POM by Ensinger Plastics – Ensinger Plastics is a German company manufacturing various high-performance engineering plastics, including medical-grade polyoxymethylene as TECAFORM POM with enhanced steam sterilization resistance. In addition, the company provides technical support and expertise to its customers in the medical industry to optimize the use of TECAFORM POM in its products, including material selection, design optimization, and product development.

Market Segmentation:

• By Type
  • Copolymer POM
  • Homopolymer POM
• By Application
  • Dialysis Machine
  • Inhalers
  • Medical Trays
  • Handles for Surgical Instruments
  • Insulin Pen
  • Pharmaceutical Closures
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • United Kingdom
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Taiwan
    • Others

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

2. MARKET SNAPSHOT

2.1. Market Overview

2.2. Market Definition

2.3. Scope of the Study

2.4. Market Segmentation

3. BUSINESS LANDSCAPE 

3.1. Market Drivers

3.2. Market Restraints

3.3. Market Opportunities 

3.4. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

3.5. Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.6. Policies and Regulations 

3.7. Strategic Recommendations 

4. MEDICAL POLYOXYMETHYLENE (POM) MARKET BY TYPE

4.1. Introduction

4.2. Copolymer POM

4.3. Homopolymer POM

5. MEDICAL POLYOXYMETHYLENE (POM) MARKET BY APPLICATION

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Dialysis Machine

5.3. Inhalers

5.4. Medical Trays

5.5. Handles for Surgical Instruments

5.6. Insulin Pen

5.7. Pharmaceutical Closures

5.8. Others

6. MEDICAL POLYOXYMETHYLENE (POM) MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY 

6.1. Introduction

6.2. North America

6.2.1. United States

6.2.2. Canada

6.2.3. Mexico

6.3. South America

6.3.1. Brazil

6.3.2. Argentina

6.3.3. Others

6.4. Europe

6.4.1. United Kingdom

6.4.2. Germany

6.4.3. France

6.4.4. Spain

6.4.5. Others

6.5. Middle East and Africa

6.5.1. Saudi Arabia

6.5.2. UAE

6.5.3. Israel

6.5.4. Others

6.6. Asia Pacific

6.6.1. Japan

6.6.2. China

6.6.3. India

6.6.4. South Korea

6.6.5. Indonesia

6.6.6. Thailand

6.6.7. Taiwan

6.6.8. Others

7. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

7.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

7.2. Market Share Analysis

7.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

7.4. Competitive Dashboard

8. COMPANY PROFILES

8.1. Celanese Corporation

8.2. BASF

8.3. Daicel Corporation

8.4. DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

8.5. Ensinger Plastics

8.6. Kolon Group

8.7. Polyplastics Global

8.8. Barlog Plastics GmbH

8.9. SABIC

8.10. Asahi Kasei Corporation

8.11. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

8.12. Reilly Plastics Ltd.

Celanese Corporation

BASF

Daicel Corporation

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Ensinger Plastics

Kolon Group

Polyplastics Global

Barlog Plastics GmbH

SABIC

Asahi Kasei Corporation

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Reilly Plastics Ltd.