Antimicrobial Coatings and Its Impact on Healthcare

The antimicrobial coatings market is was valued at US$4.020 billion in 2019 and will increase to US$8.914 billion by 2026. Over the forecast period, this market is estimated to increase at a compound yearly growth rate of 12.05%.

Antimicrobial coatings are used to protect surfaces from microorganisms such as parasites, germs, bacteria, and other harmful microbes. Active and passive antimicrobial coatings are the two types of antimicrobial coatings. Passive antimicrobial coatings resist bacterial adhesion by killing germs after contact, whereas active antimicrobial coatings release antibacterial agents such as bioactive compounds and medicines. Surface coating of medical devices and equipment is one of their most common uses in the healthcare business. The antimicrobial coatings market is divided into three categories: substance, application, and region.

antimicrobial coatings market

During the Forecast Period, Analysts Expect That the Healthcare Segment Will Dominate the Antimicrobial Coatings Market

One of the most common applications of antimicrobial coatings is in the healthcare industry. These coatings are commonly found on surgical devices and aid in the prevention of the spread of germs and pathogens among patients, surgeons, and caregivers. Active chemicals in the antimicrobial coatings prevent microbes from growing on a surface. This aids in the formation of a toxic or non-toxic barrier against harmful microbes. These can be tailored to create a toxic or non-toxic barrier against harmful microbes. Antimicrobial agents are being more widely used in medical applications as a result of this. Furthermore, the anti-microbial coatings' triggering mechanism can be used to construct effective drug-delivery systems that turn on specific functionality. Anti-microbial coatings are used on bandages, surgical masks, wound dressing, gloves, and hospital textiles, in the healthcare industry.

In healthcare facilities, HAIs are the leading source of morbidity and mortality. Every year, roughly 1.7 million patients in the United States are contaminated with HAIs, according to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Infections cost the lives of almost 100,000 people each year, and many more require medical treatment to recover. These HAIs are linked to the use of medical devices, either directly or indirectly. They usually happen during treatment operations like the injection of medical equipment into the body or a skin breach.

Several types of medical equipment serve as breeding grounds for bacteria, making it practically impossible to clean or disinfect them with traditional antibiotics. Several medical device makers and healthcare facilities have begun putting antimicrobial coatings to their equipment as a preventive step. The governments of European and North American countries have also channeled efforts to reduce HAIs in support of this.

The High Cost of Products, Lack of Skilled Labor, and No Evidence About Its Benefits Can Act as Restraints for the Growth of the Antimicrobial Coatings Market

Antimicrobial coatings are more costly than standard coatings. The price of a product has a great influence on consumer preferences in developing countries. 

The benefits of antimicrobial coatings are not well-documented, which could impede the antimicrobial coatings market's growth. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has claimed that no proof has been found that antimicrobial coatings protect against bacteria and germs, and that thorough cleaning and hand-washing are the best strategies to avoid infection.

During the Forecast Period, the Silver-Based Category Is Likely to Occupy a Large Proportion of the Antimicrobial Coatings Market

Antimicrobial coatings are classified as silver, copper, titanium dioxide, and others based on their type. The silver segment's dominant market position can be due to its excellent efficacy, low toxicity, long-lasting effect, and durability.  It also doesn't wash off, wear out, or leak out of the surface of the product.  The rise in demand can also be linked to increased demand from the medical and healthcare, food and beverage, and other industrial sectors to guarantee worker safety and hygiene, as well as to prevent the spread of COVID-19 virus, bacteria, and other pathogens on frequently touched surfaces.

During the Forecast Period, the Antimicrobial Coatings Markets in North America Followed by the Asia Pacific Are Predicted to Have a Dominating Share

The region's expansion has been fueled by continuous innovation in the healthcare business and increased production of processed foods. The availability of a large COVID-19 patient pool and significant investment in the healthcare system have also contributed to the rise. Furthermore, ongoing investments in the country's healthcare sector will aid market expansion. In addition, because of the strict laws governing indoor air quality, HVAC system manufacturers are adding antimicrobial coatings on surfaces to assure the required air quality by limiting mold and bacteria growth.

The United States possesses one of the world's most developed healthcare systems. The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in a rise in healthcare investment in the country. As the country looks for measures to limit contamination in hospitals, this expense is projected to rise in the near future. The demand for antimicrobial-coated medical equipment is growing in the United States as a result of different government and hospital initiatives aimed at preventing nosocomial infections. The country's demand for medical devices and products has been expanding due to an aging population and an increase in the number of people with chronic conditions including cardiovascular and diabetes. As a result, hospitals must take extra precautions in terms of hygiene and infection control, increasing the demand for and use of antimicrobial coatings in the healthcare business.

The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness substantial growth as per the analysts. The primary end-use sectors, including healthcare, construction, and food processing and packaging, are driving the market. The packaging products industry's strong manufacturing base in China, Japan, and India, together with growing packaged food product sales, is expected to boost the market growth during the forecast period. Furthermore, favorable policies in India, such as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Make in India, are predicted to provide abundant growth prospects for the food processing and healthcare industries, resulting in increased use of antimicrobial coatings in the region.

COVID-19 Insights

COVID-19 had a positive impact on the market in 2020. As a result of the pandemic, the use of anti-microbial coatings in medical equipment and devices, such as surgical masks, gloves, wound dressings, hospital fabrics, and surgical gadgets have increased dramatically in order to reduce the number of new COVID-19 cases. According to the Wall Street Journal, the overall production volume of N95 masks in the United States was around 45 million in January 2020 and reached around 180 million by the end of 2020, representing a 300 percent increase, which has boosted demand for anti-microbial coatings.

In April 2020, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) claimed that it has developed spray-based antimicrobial coatings for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as face masks, which would kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses.