Burn Care Market

Market Overview

The burn care market was valued at USD 2024 million in 2019 and is projected to grow with a CAGR of 5.9%.

Burning is a form of physical injury induced by exposure to heat that may be caused due to electrical, chemical, radioactive, or thermal. The extent of a burn injury depends on the burn size and depth, which include first-grade burns, second-grade burns, and third-grade burns. Burn care products are used to prevent complications associated with burn injuries, such as pain control, reduce the risk of scarring, remove dead tissue, and prevent infection and recover functioning.

Market Dynamics

Increasing the occurrence of such accidents, surging demand for skin grafting, rising awareness regarding treatment options, and technological advancements drive market growth. For instance, as per the World Health Organization (WHO), around 180,000 deaths are caused by burns each year across the globe, and the majority of these fatalities occur in low-and-middle-income countries. The market is also gaining traction due to the increasing willingness among people to spend more on better healthcare and opt for new advanced burn care products. There are various treatment and care options available in the market for burn injuries, which include advanced dressings, traditional care products, and biologics.

Government Reimbursement Policies and Rising Awareness Regarding Advanced Burn Care Treatment

Favorable government initiatives, such as reimbursement policies that cover nearly 70–100% of the treatment cost, have enabled patients to opt for advanced burn care treatment. Apart from this, the presence of government organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and non-profit organizations such as the American Burn Association (ABA) provides an impetus to the market growth.

Recently, the WHO collaborated with the International Society for Burn Injuries to develop strategies in order to improve burn care and prevent such injuries across the globe. Similarly, the British Burn Association and the Canadian Association of Burn Nurses are working to provide and promote knowledge on best treatment and rehabilitation following a burn injury, further driving the market growth.  

High Treatment Cost to Hamper the Market Growth

The high cost of burn care hampers the burn care market. The cases of second and third-degree burns involve extended hospital stays, resulting in high costs. As per the American Burn Association, in the U.S., the average length of hospital stay is 54 days for a survivor with 40–60 % body burn, and the estimated cost of the stay is USD 780,000 per patient per year.  

Segmental Analysis

Availability of Wide Product Range to Drive Advanced Burn Care Products Segment

The advanced burn care products segment held the largest market share in 2019 owing to the availability of wide product range and extensive application in burn and other wound management. Advanced burn care products include collagen, alginate, hydrocolloid, hydrogel dressings, foam, and film dressings. Development of advanced burn care products, such as ConvaTec’s FoamLite foam dressing, which can be used for a range of low-to-heavy exuding burn injuries, drives the segment growth.

Introduction of New Products and Extensive Research Drives the Biologics Segment

The biologics segment is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period due to the introduction of new products and extensive R&D in the field of biologics for burn care. Biologics comprises the application of active biological agents and molecules, such as monoterpenes (sulbogin, thymol, and sericin) that are antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant in nature. Biologic dressing, on the other hand, includes skin grafts (allografts, xenografts, autograft, or cadaveric human skin) and tissue-engineered products intended to replace the function and form of skin, either temporarily or permanently.  

Minor Burn Segment to Hold Significant Market Share during the Forecast Period

The minor burn segment held significant market share in 2019 and is expected to show consistent growth during the forecast period. As per the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (CDC), in the U.S., around 1.2 million people are affected by burn injuries each year. Traditional care products such as gauze, and bandages are used to treat minor burns. Advanced dressings are rarely used for treating minor injuries.

Partial Thickness Segment to Exhibit the Fastest Growth during the Forecast Period

Chronic wounds involve partial-thickness and full-thickness burns. Such wounds take longer to heal and cover more than 15% of the body. The partial-thickness segment is projected to exhibit the fastest growth during the forecast period. As per the U.S. FDA, around 40,000 people are hospitalized each year due to partial burns.  

Impact of covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has created havoc across the globe, with healthcare systems struggling to prepare adequately for other critical care services, such as burn injuries. In many places, the sudden rise in demand for critical care units has created scarcity, which is expected to impact the capacity of healthcare systems to provide critical care for burn injuries. This has obligated each burn care center to prepare under severe stress conditions, further hampering the market growth. 

Regional Analysis

Organizational Initiatives and Presence of Key Players Drives North America’s Market Growth

North America leads the burn care market on account of rising incidences of burns and high demand for skin grafts and substitutes. As per the American Burn Association, in the U.S., more than 60% of the acute hospitalizations are related to burn injury. In line with this, several organizations are actively working to create awareness and raise demand for burn care products.  

For instance, in February 2019, the American Burn Association organized the National Burn Awareness Week in the U.S., which served as an opportunity for burn care organizations, public safety professionals, injury prevention activists, and burn survivor support groups, to increase awareness among the population about the frequency and causes of burn injuries. 

Strong presence of key market players in North America and their focus on strategic initiatives, such as the launch of new products and mergers and acquisitions, provide an impetus to the market growth. For instance, in January 2017, Derma Sciences acquired MEDIHONEY to increase its advanced burn care product portfolio.

Increasing Incidence of Burn Injuries to Prompt the Need for Effective Burn Care Treatment in Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is projected to exhibit the fastest growth during the forecast period. As per the WHO, Asia-Pacific has a 20 times higher incidence rate of burn injuries than the Americas, which requires immediate medical interventions. Surging R&D activities by prominent market players for the introduction of innovative products and surging government initiatives for burn treatment bolsters market growth. For instance, the government of India launched the National Program for Prevention, Management, and Rehabilitation of Burn Injuries (NPPMRBI) in 2016. This program was implemented by the state government medical colleges and district hospitals to decrease the incidences, morbidity, mortality, and disability caused by burn injuries.

Recent Developments

• In January 2019, Mölnlycke Health Care AB acquired M&J Airlaid products. This acquisition will be beneficial for Mölnlycke Health Care in strengthening the burn wound care portfolio. It will also help the company in the supply of advanced burn care dressing material by Airlaid.
• In September 2019, Integra LifeSciences Corporation collaborated with European Burn Association Program. This is a training program for surgeons to inculcate the best practices and training for the treatment of burns.

Burn Care Market Segmentation

By Product

• Advanced Burn Care
• Biologics
• Traditional Burn Care

By Depth of Burn

• Minor Burns
• Partial-Thickness Burns
• Full-Thickness Burns

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• The Middle East and Africa