Global Medical Disposable Products Market Overview, 2023-28

Medical disposables are crucial products employed in healthcare settings and various medical fields to prevent infections and adhere to stringent medical standards. They play a vital role in reducing the risk of cross-contamination and infections, aligning with the goals of healthcare professionals and governments worldwide. Examples of medical disposables encompass items like traditional syringes, disposable medical catheters, isolation gowns, procedure kits and trays, blood glucose test strips, and wound care products. These disposables are integral components of healthcare facilities, designed for single-use and intended for safe disposal after utilization. They find applications in surgery, drug and fluid administration, wound care, diagnostic testing, patient examinations, incontinence management, sterilization processes, and enhancing patient comfort. The demand for safety and infection prevention across diverse medical fields, including surgical, hygiene, anesthesia, and pediatrics, is poised to drive the growth of the medical disposables market. The COVID-19 outbreak and increasing hospital admissions across the globe have significantly increased the demand for medical disposables. The WHO has appealed to industries and governments to increase the manufacturing of personal protective equipment, including hospital gowns, gloves, medical masks, face shields, aprons, respirators, and goggles, by 40% to meet the increasing global demand. It also reported that the increase in demand for these accessories has increased their prices to a major extent. For instance, the price of surgical masks has increased six-fold and the price of hospital gowns has increased two-fold. Furthermore, the WHO has shipped around half a million sets of personal protective equipment to around 47 countries. Therefore, the outbreak of COVID-19 has immensely impacted the market and is a highly effective driver for this market. The market for disposable medical supplies is also anticipated to be driven by rising awareness among healthcare professionals regarding hygiene and health as well as an increase in robot-assisted surgical procedures. Growing instances of infections occurring during pregnancy and surgical procedures raised awareness of the importance of cleanliness and safety. Furthermore growing product launches by the key market players supports the market growth. For Instance, in May 2021, Windsor-based Harbour Technologies expanded its protective equipment manufacturing operations to Chatham-Kent. It is opening a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chatham to make surgical isolation gowns.

According to the research report, “Global Medical Disposable Products Market Overview, 2023-28” published by Bonafide Research, the market is anticipated to cross USD 500 Billion by 2028, increasing from USD 315.10 Billion in 2022. The market is expected to grow with 8.64% CAGR by 2023-28.The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases is anticipated to positively impact the market for medical disposables. For instance, as per the International Diabetes Federation, the global prevalence of diabetes is expected to increase from 366.0 million in 2011 to 552.0 million by 2030. Prolonged diabetes leads to diabetic foot ulcers, which in turn increases the duration of hospital stay, rendering a positive impact on the market growth over the forecast period. Furthermore, the increasing geriatric population across the globe is also anticipated to propel the growth of the market for medical disposables. For instance, as per the World Health Organization (WHO), the global geriatric population is anticipated to rise from 84.0 million in 2014 to 2.0 billion by 2050. Since the geriatric population is prone to several diseases, thus this growing geriatric population is also expected to surge in the market growth over the forecast period. In addition to that, the COVID-19 outbreak significantly impacted the disposable medical supplies market by the sudden increase in the demand for disposable products, such as gowns, masks, antiseptics, and disinfectant products. The increase in COVID-19-affected patients led to an increase in hospital admissions across the world, due to which the demand for disposable medical supplies has increased significantly. The Australian government announced a USD 180 million Living with COVID-19 primary care package on October 29, 2021, with the goal of bolstering and supporting primary care for the community's management of mild and moderate COVID-19 patients. PPE bundles are being made available to general practitioners (GPs), Aboriginal and Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs), GP-led Respiratory Clinics (GPRCs), and immunizing pharmacists for free under emergency circumstances as part of the Australian Government's Living with COVID Primary Care package. Hence, COVID-19 had positive impact on this market, and it is expected to contribute significantly during the forecast period.

Increasing hospital visitation, increasing cases of hospital acquired infections, increasing awareness of patients are some of the major factors driving the growth of the global disposable medical market. North America dominates the disposable medical market with the U.S. accounting for the major market share in 2022. Established healthcare infrastructure; and increasing demand for disposable instruments are some of the major driving factors driving the growth of this market in North America. The Asian disposable medical market is poised to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to improving healthcare infrastructure and rising awareness about disposable medical instruments among people in the region. The rising focus of prominent players on the Asian disposable medical market is another factor driving its growth. Furthermore, emerging countries such as India and China provides immense growth opportunities to the disposable medical manufacturers. Growth drivers in the United States include an emphasis on infection prevention, where single-use devices excel, and greater pricing flexibility than is available in Europe, where tight cost controls and fixed reimbursement rates are the norm. While China also is making an effort to prevent hospital-acquired infections, growth in the medical disposables space is largely a consequence of government initiatives to improve its healthcare infrastructure and better serve its massive population, including a burgeoning middle class that now exceeds the entire population of the United States.

The sterilization supplies segment dominated the market for medical disposables and held the largest revenue share in 2022. Sterilization supplies encompass a wide range of products, including sterilization wraps, pouches, indicators, and autoclave tapes. These disposables are vital in ensuring that medical instruments and equipment are effectively sterilized before use in procedures and patient care. With stringent regulatory standards mandating the use of sterile instruments, healthcare facilities rely heavily on these supplies to prevent cross-contamination and HAIs. Furthermore, the increasing adoption of minimally invasive surgeries and advanced medical procedures necessitates impeccable instrument sterilization. The global medical community's continued efforts to curb the spread of infectious diseases, along with the on-going emphasis on patient safety, drive the demand for sterilization supplies, making it the largest and most crucial segment within the global medical disposables market. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 has tremendously surged the demand for hand sanitizers across the globe. As per the World Health Organization guidelines, frequent application of hand sanitizers has been recommended for every individual in order to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus. Furthermore, India has banned the export of hand sanitizers to combat the shortage in the country and the ban has been included under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The Brazilian government also ordered the laboratories of the Armed Forces to develop alcohol-based gel on a large scale for treating infected patients. Furthermore, the Puntland State University team developed low-cost hand sanitizers to mitigate the shortage of hand sanitizers in Somalia. In India, the whisky maker John Distilleries has also announced the production of hand sanitizers at its distilleries in Goa and Bangalore to compensate for the crisis caused due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Hence, a significant growth rate is anticipated over the forecast period. The hand sanitizer segment is further segmented into gel, liquid, foam, and others.

Based on the raw material, the global market is segmented into plastic resin, nonwoven material, rubber, paper and paperboard, metals, glass and others. Glass is known for its excellent biocompatibility, making it suitable for various medical applications. It doesn't react with bodily tissues or fluids, reducing the risk of adverse reactions in patients. Glass can be easily sterilized and maintains its integrity under high-temperature sterilization processes such as autoclaving. This property is crucial for medical disposables, where maintaining a sterile environment is paramount. Glass is chemically inert, which means it doesn't leach chemicals or contaminants into medical solutions or fluids. This is essential for maintaining the purity of medications, blood products, and other substances used in healthcare. Glass is transparent, allowing healthcare professionals to easily monitor the contents of medical devices such as syringes and vials. This transparency is critical for ensuring accurate measurements and drug administration. Glass is a sustainable material, as it is recyclable and doesn't contribute to environmental pollution. Increasing awareness of sustainability in healthcare may drive the demand for glass-based medical disposables. Also, glass containers and components have a long shelf life and can protect sensitive medical substances from degradation over extended periods, which is especially important for certain medications and diagnostic reagents. Advances in glass manufacturing techniques have led to the development of specialized glass materials that offer improved strength, durability, and functionality, making them suitable for a wider range of medical applications. Glass is often used in specific medical disposables, such as vials for vaccines, ampoules for injectable medications, and glass slides for diagnostic purposes, and the growth in these areas can drive overall demand.



The global population is aging, leading to an increased need for healthcare services. Many elderly individuals prefer to receive care in the comfort of their homes, which drives the demand for medical disposables used in home healthcare settings. Technological advancements have made it possible to develop portable and user-friendly medical devices that can be used at home. These devices often require disposable components, such as sensors, tubing, and test strips. Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and respiratory disorders, are on the rise. Patients with chronic illnesses often require regular monitoring and treatment, which can be facilitated through home healthcare services and the use of medical disposables. Many patients prefer home-based care over hospital stays due to factors like comfort, reduced risk of hospital-acquired infections, and the ability to maintain a sense of independence. This preference drives the need for disposable medical products in home healthcare. Home healthcare is often more cost-effective than hospital-based care. This cost-effectiveness is particularly attractive to healthcare systems and insurance providers, further promoting the growth of home healthcare. In addition to that, telehealth and remote monitoring technologies have become more prevalent, enabling healthcare professionals to monitor patients' conditions remotely. These technologies often rely on disposable sensors and devices. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of minimizing hospital visits, which accelerated the adoption of home healthcare services. The use of disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing kits increased significantly during the pandemic, and some of these trends are expected to continue. While medical disposables are used in home healthcare, there is also a growing emphasis on sustainability. Manufacturers are developing eco-friendly disposable products to align with environmental concerns.

Market Drivers

• Rising Healthcare Expenditure: Increasing healthcare expenditure, especially in emerging economies, is driving the demand for medical disposable products. As more countries invest in healthcare infrastructure and access to medical services, there is a corresponding growth in the consumption of disposable items in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities.

• Innovations in Material Science: Advances in material science are leading to the development of innovative materials for medical disposables. For example, the use of antimicrobial coatings, biodegradable materials, and smart materials that change color or indicate contamination are gaining traction. These innovations aim to enhance the functionality and safety of disposable medical products.

Market Challenges

• Regulatory Compliance: Meeting stringent regulatory standards and navigating a complex landscape of regulations is a constant challenge for manufacturers of medical disposable products. Ensuring that products comply with safety, quality, and labelling requirements in different regions can be a significant hurdle, especially for global market expansion.

• Cost Pressures: While the demand for disposable medical products is growing, there is also increasing pressure to control healthcare costs. Balancing the need for high-quality, safe disposables with cost-effective solutions is an on-going challenge for healthcare providers and manufacturers alike.

Market Trends

• Single-Use Device Reprocessing: Reprocessing and reusing certain single-use medical devices are emerging trends aimed at reducing healthcare costs and environmental impact. This trend involves cleaning, sterilizing, and refurbishing disposable devices for safe reuse. However, it also raises concerns about safety and regulatory compliance.

• E-commerce and Direct-to-Consumer Sales: The availability of medical disposable products through e-commerce platforms and direct-to-consumer sales channels is growing. Patients and healthcare professionals can now conveniently purchase disposable items online, which is changing the distribution landscape and fostering competition in the market.

Considered in this report

• Geography: Global
• Historic year: 2017
• Base year: 2022
• Estimated year: 2023
• Forecast year: 2028

Aspects covered in this report

• Global Medical Disposable market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Regional & Country-wise Medical Disposable market analysis
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

Regions & Countries covered in the report

• North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)
• Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Russia)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea)
• South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia)
• Middle-East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa)

By Product

• Sterilization Supplies
• Drug Delivery Products
• Diagnostics and Laboratory Disposables
• Disposable Masks
• Non-woven Disposables
• Disposable Gloves
• Dialysis Disposables
• Wound Management Products
• Incontinence Products
• Respiratory Supplies
• Disposable Eye Gear
• Hand Sanitizers
• Others(Disposable Protective Clothing, Bedpans, Urine bags and sharps Containers)

By Raw Material

• Plastic Resin
• Nonwoven Material
• Rubber
• Paper and Paperboard
• Metals
• Glass
• Others

By End User

• Hospitals
• Outpatient/Primary Care Facilities
• Home Healthcare
• Others

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organisations related to the Medical Disposable industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.