UK Infection Control Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Product (Disinfectants, Sterilization (Low-Temperature Sterilization, Heat Sterilization, Contract Sterilization)), By End User Industry (Healthcare, Food And Beverage, Chemical) - Forecasts From 2023 To 2028

The United Kingdom infection control market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 12.64% to reach US$2,410.931 million in 2028 from US$1,048.249 million in 2021.  

Concerns about working in healthier environments are growing among various end-user industries, offices, manufacturing facilities, and other institutions. This is boosting investments in better products and the creation of better healthcare services and facilities, which is fuelling demand for infection control solutions in the UK.

The need for infection control in the UK

According to the data provided by NHS Foundation Trust, the frequency of E. coli bacteraemia incidents in the United Kingdom has been increasing year over year, and the DH is working to address this. By 2024/25, the DH hopes to cut Gram-negative bacteraemia by 50%. Most episodes are found both nationally and locally upon hospital admission, necessitating a comprehensive approach to healthcare rather than focusing just on the treatment given by acute trusts.

Additionally, the British Reckitt Benckiser Group witness a rise of 13.3% in disinfectant sales in the first quarter of 2020 and is further expected to rise driven mostly by the growing demand for health and hygiene products in the country. The World Health Organisation, the NHS, local governments, and Public Health England have all joined forces to implement the recent program and strategic plan known as the "Infectious Diseases Strategy 2020–2025 by Public Health England" to help reduce the causes of infection due to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Tuberculosis. Prevent and Protect, Detect and Control, Prepare and Respond, Build and Apply, Advise and Collaborate, and Generate and Share are the six stages that make up this program's goal.

Additionally, the old IPC advice for PPE was superseded on May 27, 2022, by the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM) for England. The Scottish NIPCM is being accepted as the national standard in England, according to the UK's 5-year national action plan for antimicrobials, which was announced in January 2019. To assist and enable healthcare professionals to show compliance with the 10 criteria of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 code of practice on the prevention and control of infections and accompanying advice, the NIPCM has been modified for use in England.

The growing geriatric population as a growth driver

The country's expanding senior population necessitates improved healthcare facilities with better infection control facilities specifically designed for the elderly, creating a chance for the market to expand throughout the projected period. One of the main causes is the elderly's vulnerability to infections since they have a poorer immune system than young and middle-aged persons.

According to the Office for National Statistics, Government of the United Kingdom the population of the country has been progressively getting older since the latter part of the 20th century, and the trend is expected to continue. By mid-2041, there will be 3.2 million people aged 85 and older, up from 1.6 million at the same time in 2016. This elderly population will triple in size by the end of 2066, reaching 5.1 million people.

Furthermore, initiatives by the government of the United Kingdom for the aging population are projected to surge the demand for infection control measures for the health and well-being of these individuals. For example, as per the Centre for Policy on Ageing, one of the important themes includes that expenditure on the older population is an investment and not a cost, these investments can bring out significant dividends in both the health and well-being of the elderly. Also, it applies to society via enhanced participation, consumption, and social cohesion.

The disinfectant segment is expected to experience growth.

An increase in the number of diseases due to the use of infected needles and other instruments and unclean surroundings in hospitals has resulted in an increased demand for these products, thus, boosting the market growth and contributing to the share of disinfectants. Besides, an increasing number of surgical procedures coupled with the growing focus on food sterilization and disinfection is anticipated to drive the growth of the sterilization segment over the forecast period. The recent government action & strategy plan called “infectious diseases strategy 2020-2025 by public health England” is conducted in partnership with WHO to improve outbreaks of Infectious diseases & improve public health facilities.

According to estimates from UK Government, the testing for hepatitis B infection increased post-pandemic in 2021. However, the positivity rate further increased from 0.6% in 2020 to around 1% in 2021. This reflects the need for the use of disinfectants for the control of Infectious diseases in UK, which will propel the market growth.

The healthcare segment accounts for a major market share.

Infection control forms one of the major activities undertaken in healthcare facilities as it prevents patients as well as healthcare workers from catching unwanted infections. The growing government expenditure on healthcare has provided a positive outlook to the market demand for infection control products in the United Kingdom. For instance, according to the Office for National Statistics, in 2021, government healthcare expenditure stood at £277 billion which signified a 7.4% increase over the expenditure incurred in 2020. 

Furthermore, favourable initiatives, rules & regulations implemented by the UK government to promote infection control are further paving the way for future market growth in the country. For instance, as per the updated National Infection Prevention and Control Manual for England issued by the National Health Service in June 2022, the patient must be properly assessed for infection risk on his/her arrival at the healthcare facility in England. The updated manual aims to optimize infection control practices in healthcare facilities in England.

Key Developments

• In October 2021, Derma UK introduced a new 50ml container size for Hibitane Obstetric Cream. It is made with a straightforward flip cap that may be employed by healthcare professionals using just one hand during physical interior inspections and labour and delivery.
• In 2021, Derma UK announced the launch of new obstetric cream. This will greatly help healthcare professionals during physical examinations of patients to control disinfectant spread.
• In November 2021, Derma UK launched its new infection control product namely “Hibitane™ Obstetric Cream which would enable reduce infection spread between healthcare professionals and patients in gynaecological and obstetric departments.

UK Infection Control Market Scope:

Segmentation:

• By Product
  • Disinfectant
  • Sterilization        
    • Low-Temperature Sterilization
    • Heat Sterilization
    • Contact Sterilization
• By End-User Industry
  • Healthcare
  • Food and Beverage
  • Chemical