Blood Warmers Market

Market Overview

The global blood warmers market size was valued at USD 1,060.94 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 2,192.57 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

The blood fluid warming system is activated when the body's temperature drops below 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit and approaches 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This medical condition, known as hypothermia, is related to the body's heat production and loss over a prolonged period. Hypothermia can be treated with warm clothing. It has been observed that moderate climates can also result in hypothermia, depending on age, overall metabolism, body mass, and duration of exposure to frigid climates. The device used in this procedure is a blood warmer, which heats the blood to an infusion-safe temperature.

Hypothermia may also result from medical conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, severe traumatic injuries, and drug or alcohol addiction. The device is utilized in emergency settings, intensive care units (ICUs), and operating rooms to prevent hypothermic conditions. The blood warmer features automatic temperature adjustment based on flow rate and an audible alarm system.

Market Dynamics

Global Blood Warmers Market Drivers

Increasing Demand for Portable Blood/IV Fluid Warmers

An increase in the use of portable blood/IV fluid warmers by hospitals, EMS crews, and the military to prevent hypothermia due to fluid transfer in hazardous field settings is projected to drive market expansion soon. Compared to non-portable blood/IV fluid warmers, portable blood warmers do not require an external power source and typically weigh less than 1 kg, including batteries and any additional accessories, making them suitable for field use by EMS providers. As a result of the factors above, the portable warmer market is likely to grow soon.

Increasing Number of Surgeries and Trauma Cases

The market is predicted to expand over the forecast period due to increased surgeries and trauma cases worldwide. Trauma is a prominent cause of death worldwide, with around 5 million people dying yearly due to traumatic injury. As per the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), between 20 and 50 million people are maimed or disabled in traffic accidents annually, and 1.35 million people are killed. As per WHO, road traffic injuries are the ninth leading cause of death worldwide.

In addition, hypothermia is one of the primary causes of death among victims of physical trauma. Epidemics, severe environmental conditions, blood loss from injury/shock, physical trauma, natural disasters, and infusion of cold-stored blood/IV can cause hypothermia and raise the chances of death, which is expected to boost market growth.

Global Blood Warmers Market Restraints

Low Market Penetration in Emerging Economies Due to High Cost

Blood warming devices are effective in circumstances where many transfusions are required and in young patients. On the other hand, many of these products' initial cost and disposable nature are major impediments to efficient use, which is projected to limit market growth. Furthermore, portable blood/IV warmers are typically more expensive than non-portable warmers in developing economies, as the latter are hospital-based. This is expected to restrict market growth to a certain extent.

Furthermore, the medical devices business is modest in low-income nations, such as India and Brazil, with a disproportionate reliance on imports and a complex regulatory framework. Small markets restrain investments in most segments/subsegments of the medical devices sector, as any investment requires scaling to be viable. The proclivity for local production is weakened by a lack of technology and an inverted duty structure, which is projected to limit market growth.

Global Blood Warmers Market Opportunities

Increasing R&D of Innovative Products

Major manufacturers focus more on developing innovative products to achieve a competitive advantage. For instance, in April 2021, Belmont Medical Technologies, a leading supplier of fluid resuscitation and patient temperature management solutions, announced that it was awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contract with a possible maximum dollar value of up to USD 133,570,787 by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency in December 2020. The contract included the company's hospital and portable rapid blood infuser product line, military kits, and associated consumables and accessories. Such advancements are expected to expedite market growth over the forecast period.

Furthermore, increasing R&D activities by scientists to improve physicians' understanding of blood warmers positively impacts market growth. For instance, in July 2020, researchers evaluated portable latent fluid warmers developed by Logikal Health Products in New South Wales. Fluid warmers using solidifying calcium nitrate tetrahydrate were previously not used clinically. However, following their tests, researchers discovered that the thermal fluid warmer could safely warm transfused blood in a controlled clinical setting, further highlighting that demand for blood warmers will increase shortly. Therefore, research initiatives aimed at developing and providing safe and effective approaches to improve blood transfusions are expected to generate opportunities for market growth over the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global blood warmers market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global blood warmers market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period. North America dominated the blood/IV warmers market, owing to increased surgical procedures/hospital visits, a well-established healthcare system, and favorable reimbursement and regulatory policies in the healthcare sector. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) states that health spending in the United States is projected to increase by 5.5% annually between 2018 and 2027, reaching USD 6 trillion by 2027. In addition, increased access to healthcare technologies and strong distribution channels drive blood warmers adoption in North America. Moreover, rapid technological advancements and major medical device companies, such as Stryker, Gentherm, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, and ICU Medical, offering blood warmers are among the factors fostering market growth in the region. Therefore, North America will dominate the overall regional market during the forecast period.

Europe is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 8.2% over the forecast period. Europe accounted for the second-largest market share after North America and is anticipated to grow significantly during the forecast period. With its sophisticated technologies and well-established infrastructure, Europe is one of the world's most developed regions. Market expansion in this area can be attributed to an increase in the number of road accidents and surgical procedures, the presence of various key participants, and the launch of technologically advanced products. For instance, according to the European Commission's Annual Accident Report 2017 by the European Road Safety Observatory, in 2015, around 1.4 million people were injured due to road accidents.

Moreover, the country's growing number of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease and various cardiovascular diseases is expected to drive market growth. According to Kidney Care UK, nearly 3 million people in the United Kingdom live with chronic renal disease, and nearly 30,000 are on dialysis. Additionally, high disposable income in developed economies and the availability of well-established healthcare infrastructure and skilled professionals are a few factors responsible for the region's high market share.

In Asia-Pacific, the presence of a large patient population and the growing demand for technologically advanced and cost-effective healthcare solutions is anticipated to create substantial growth opportunities. Moreover, the surging number of clinical trials and high R&D investments by global players to enter into untapped markets in the Asia Pacific owing to low-cost services are among the high-impact rendering drivers of the market. In addition, an increase in hospitalization and advancements in the clinical development framework of developing nations are other factors aiding market growth in the region. Moreover, the flourishing elderly population and the growing burden of chronic diseases are expected to augment the demand for blood warmers in the Asia Pacific in the coming years. As per WHO (Non-Communicable Diseases [NCD} Burden in the Southeast Asia Region), about 8.5 million people die yearly due to various NCDs.

Latin America is predicted to witness substantial growth over the forecast period. Rapidly developing economies, such as Brazil and Mexico, are primarily driving the blood warmers market growth in the region. Increasing cases of hypothermia, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and a rapidly aging population are among the factors leading to an increased need for blood warmers. Additionally, governments of several regional nations strive to improve healthcare infrastructure. Hence, an increase in the number of patients seeking safer healthcare solutions is likely to drive the growth of the blood-warmers market in the region.

In Middle Eastern countries, government organizations cover almost 70% of the healthcare expenditure for citizens. High-income countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar, are focused on adopting the latest devices in healthcare. Saudi Arabia is the most populous country in the region. Increasing healthcare expenditure and the gradual adoption of technologically advanced products in these countries are some of the aspects expected to drive market growth. Therefore, government efforts and developing healthcare infrastructure in the region are expected to spur market growth.

Segmental Analysis

The global blood warmers market is segmented by product and end-user.

Based on the product, the global blood warmers market is bifurcated into portable blood-IV fluid warmers and non-portable blood-IV fluid warmers. 

The non-portable blood-IV fluid warmers segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.01% over the forecast period. The non-portable blood-IV fluid warmers are either heating plates/platforms or direct infusion line warmers that warm the blood bags and IV solution to room temperature. The rising occurrence of road accidents, incidents, gunshot wounds, and other injuries is anticipated to expand the segment. In addition, a growing demand for portable blood-IV warmers from various traditional end-user sectors is also expected to drive the market for these devices. On the other hand, portable fluid warmers can prevent hypothermia; however, the manufacturer's restrictions do not always reflect therapeutic use.

Furthermore, compared to portable blood-IV warmers, commercially available non-portable blood/fluid warmer devices demonstrate optimal performance that may not represent utilization in critically ill patients, which is projected to limit segment growth.

Compared to traditional methods such as gravity infusion or pressure bags, portable blood-IV fluid warmers are easy-to-use equipment that enables faster and more efficient delivery of blood products and fluids, which is expected to increase the demand for these products. For instance, according to the Trauma Audit and Research Network, in May 2021, an emergency trauma patient suffering from hemorrhagic shock required an immediate blood transfusion. As per the same source, 4,185,009 patients were studied, where 34% of all deaths occurred during the first 24 hours of admission. Portable blood-IV fluid warmers can deliver a unit of warmed blood products in 2 minutes, allowing the provider to reassess and stabilize the patient quickly.

In addition, the demand for portable blood-IV warmers remains marginally greater than that for non-portable blood-IV warmers. Most demand for portable blood-IV warmers is generated by paramedic/ambulatory services, the military, and rescue forces. Rising demand from emergency centers and outlying clinics is also anticipated to drive the portable blood-IV warmers market.

Based on end-users, the global market is segmented into ambulatory services, hospitals/clinics, defense forces, and rescue forces. 

The hospitals/clinics segment owns the highest blood warmers market share and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period. Hospital institutions are the largest blood/IV warmers market, catering to most of the population at any given time. In terms of IV and blood infusion volume, hospitals are observed to be the biggest consumers of related products and services. Hospitals are considered significant purchasers because they have long-term agreements with suppliers of blood-IV warming machines, which gives them greater negotiating power and makes them a larger market for product after-sales services.

In addition, the increasing rate of hospitalization due to the rise in trauma cases and other infectious diseases, a growing number of well-furnished, well-equipped, and advanced hospitals, the aging population, and the surging prevalence of chronic illnesses are expected to drive the segment growth.

The defense forces segment is expected to grow at a respectable rate, which can be attributed to the crucial requirement and growing demand in remote and extreme environments where the forces operate. Emergency paramedic services must deliver blood and IV fluids to patients in remote and harsh locations. Because of the increased danger of hypothermia due to blood loss, banked blood is warmed to body temperature before being infused into the patient, which is expected to boost segment demand.

In addition, increased defense spending has resulted in a rise in demand for blood warmers along with the rise in the presence of quality medical device manufacturers, increased medical expenditure, an increase in awareness, and a rise in demand from defense sectors and remote emergency healthcare services. Producers in the blood warmers market are investing in R&D. These efforts aid in upgrading existing products and discovering new devices with enhanced capabilities.

Recent Developments

• June 2023- QinFlow Inc. and Life-Assist finalized the integration of a distribution partnership for the Warrior line of portable, high-performance blood and IV fluid warming devices. This new partnership will bolster access to this vital apparatus for emergency care professionals across the United States.
• June 2023- Bound Tree Medical, North America's foremost pre-hospital equipment and supplies provider, signed a distribution agreement with QinFlow Inc. to distribute the Warrior line of blood and fluid warmers (Quality in Flow).