Healthcare Disinfectants and Sanitizers Market

Market Overview

The global healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers market size was valued at USD 12.96 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 32.32 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 10.69% during the forecast period (2023–2031). Factors such as growing burden of healthcare-associated infections and introduction of modern disinfection technologies, significantly drives the healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers market demand by 2031.

Disinfectants and sanitizers are widely used in several healthcare settings as a part of the infection prevention strategy. Disinfection and sanitization primarily entail cleansing or decontaminating various high-touch surfaces and contagious environments by removing microorganisms, dirt, and pathogens. It is a simple and effective method to prevent infections and transmit contagious diseases.

Sanitizers and disinfectants are monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and, as a result, must be certified through a process in which they are tested to ensure that they meet predefined criteria. A chemical product may not be labeled as a sanitizer or disinfectant until it has received EPA certification. The primary difference between a sanitizer and a disinfectant is that sanitizers minimize bacteria on a surface by at least 99.9%, while disinfectants destroy a broader spectrum of microorganisms (than sanitizers).

Market Dynamics

Global Healthcare Disinfectants and Sanitizers Market Drivers

Growing Burden of Healthcare-associated Infections 

Globally, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) contribute to a major burden in the medical industry. HAIs also cause significant morbidity, mortality, and additional costs in healthcare settings. According to the WHO 2015 factsheet data, HAIs are the most frequent adverse event witnessed in healthcare delivery worldwide.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also estimates that 1 in every 20 hospitalized patients contract HAIs. According to the WHO estimation, at any point in time, more than 1.4 million people are diagnosed with HAI globally. Therefore, a surge in the target population with HAIs is contributing significantly to the global healthcare disinfectant and sanitizer market growth.

Introduction of Modern Disinfection Technologies 

Hospitals are currently employing highly advanced disinfection techniques thanks to quick technological advancements and globalization. These methods include manual disinfectant spraying, ultraviolet light irradiation, and automatic disinfection robots. Robot disinfection typically can be categorized into two types: UV light irradiation and chemical disinfection.

These robots prevent a pathogenic environment and are not limited to remote movement. These robots also adapt to various working conditions and perform around the clock, even during peak times. Using disinfectants through this robot can significantly disinfect larger areas and hospitals. Therefore, the rising disease burden and the wider availability of such advanced and effective disinfectants will boost their adoption and contribute to the global healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers market growth.

Global Healthcare Disinfectants and Sanitizers Market Restraint

Presence of Alternative Disinfection Methods 

Disinfection is one of the most important forms of eradicating microbes on diverse surfaces. A wide range of disinfectants is available in various forms and used widely across healthcare settings. However, with the rise in adverse health consequences associated with chemicals and rapid urbanization, there has been a significant focus on different alternatives for conventional disinfectants. For instance, the use of ultraviolet (UV) light to disinfect surfaces is a suitable option for healthcare settings. This is expected to limit market growth over the forecast period.

Global Healthcare Disinfectants and Sanitizers Market Opportunities

Advancements in IoT-assisted Smart Devices

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming various healthcare aspects, from patient care to hygiene monitoring devices. An IoT-controlled robot to clean and disinfect hospital floors and environments using an alcohol-based solution and a UV light source also has an obstacle-avoiding mechanism, automatic mode, manual mode, and android-controlled using IoT. The robot can reduce the workload of hospital workers, thereby reducing the manual need for cleaning and disinfecting.

Furthermore, a web and mobile interface with a detailed workflow of an IoT-based sensor-fusion assistive system termed the smart epidemic tunnel has gained significant attention. A smart epidemic tunnel is a customized solution that uses an IoT-based sensor-fusion technology and includes an automatic sanitizer spray system equipped with a human motion-detecting sanitizer unit. IoT sensors are also being used to trigger hand hygiene reminders, preventing the spread of infections. Such factors have contributed to a significant surge in the uptake of disinfectants and sanitizers in healthcare settings, thereby creating opportunities for market growth.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers market share is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Europe Dominates the Global Market

Europe is the most significant global healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers market shareholder and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 10.44% during the forecast period. Europe has emerged as the dominant market segment due to the expanding aging population affected by chronic diseases and the increasing prevalence of HAIs and hospitalizations. The presence of advanced healthcare infrastructure, technological advances in the medical industry, and the development of smart devices for the application of disinfectants and sanitizers have also contributed to the growth of the regional market. The ongoing COVID-19 outbreak has also necessitated the disinfection of healthcare settings and hand hygiene for HCPs and patients, which will drive the market's growth. According to the European CDC, around nine million patients annually acquire HAIs in European hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Similarly, according to estimates, 3.8 million individuals acquire HAIs annually in acute care hospitals in EU countries, and an estimated 91,000 people in the EU die each year due to highly common infections in healthcare settings. The prevalence of UTIs and surgical site infections in healthcare facilities has accelerated the adoption of high-tech medical-grade disinfectants and sanitizers.

North America is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 9.84% over the forecast period. The demand for disinfectants and sanitizers in the North American region is driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and healthcare-associated infections and the adoption of stringent regulations and favorable government initiatives associated with disinfection and sterilization in the region. Advancements in the healthcare infrastructure in the US and Canada are also expected to propel the demand for disinfectant and sanitization products to disinfect and sanitize surfaces and floors in healthcare settings. The ease and convenience of using these products have resulted in surged demand for these products in various end-user application segments.

In addition, the increasing hygiene awareness among consumers in recent years has encouraged key vendors to offer comprehensive formulating solutions. Adopting proper hygiene and sanitation practices in various hospitals, clinics, ambulatory care centers, acute and long-term centers, diagnostic laboratories, and many others are gaining traction, which is further anticipated to augment the sales of disinfectant and sanitization products in the region.

Asia-Pacific has the third-largest revenue share in the global market, with China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, the Philippines, and Singapore being the major revenue contributors. The low treatment-seeking population, mainly due to social stigma, less access to healthcare services, and lack of adequate infection prevention measures, especially in developing countries, are a few factors that limit the healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers market growth in this region. However, high disease prevalence, rise in the geriatric population, improvement in healthcare spending, the COVID-19 outbreak, awareness of hand hygiene practices, and government initiatives will fuel the adoption of healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers in the region.

Additionally, the prevalence of HAIs is highly contributing to the usage of disinfectants and sanitizers in healthcare settings. In its 2015 factsheet, the WHO mentioned that the prevalence of HAIs is at 5.7%–19.1% in LMICs. The frequency of ICU-acquired infections is at least two to three-fold higher in LMICs compared to high-income countries.

In Latin America, the increased prevalence of HAIs is associated with an aging population and is likely to offer growth opportunities healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers industry. The prevalence of chronic diseases and outbreaks of epidemics and pandemics has increased the use of disinfecting and sanitizing products across the region. Such factors have majorly contributed to the rise in government initiatives to follow proper sanitization and disinfection practices, especially in healthcare settings. All these factors have been contributing to the growth of the Latin American market.

In the Middle East and Africa, the market is growing slowly compared to other regions due to a large and undertreated patient population requiring advanced treatment procedures with hygiene practices, increased government initiatives and healthcare funding, and enhancements in healthcare infrastructure. Moreover, the region is a rapidly developing part of the world, with an increase in average life expectancy. Therefore, HAIs are also anticipated to increase in the coming years.

Segmental Analysis

The global healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers market is segmented by product type, form, composition, and end-user

Based on product type, the global market is bifurcated into disinfectants and sanitizers. 

The disinfectants segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 10.89% over the forecast period. Disinfectants are chemical substances used to inactivate or destroy microbes on inert substances. These substances differ from antiseptics that destroy microorganisms in living tissues. Disinfectants are commonly used in hospitals, dental rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas to kill microbes. Disinfectants are classified into low-level disinfectants, intermediate-level disinfectants, and high-level disinfectants.

Low-level disinfectants can rapidly kill most vegetative bacteria and lipid-containing viruses. Although intermediate and high-level disinfectants kill all microbes, they differ based on their ability to destroy bacterial endospores. One of the advantages associated with disinfectants is that they are highly inexpensive and widely available. Other benefits of disinfectants include effective bactericidal, cleansing, tuberculocidal, and virucidal activity.

Based on form, the global market is divided into liquid, gel, and others. 

The liquid segment is the largest revenue contributor to the market and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 10.86% over the forecast period. A wide range of disinfectants and sanitizers used in healthcare settings are available in the form of liquid. Hypochlorite is the most widely utilized chlorine disinfectant in healthcare facilities, primarily available in liquid forms such as sodium hypochlorite. For instance, the most used chlorine products in the US are aqueous solutions of 5.25%–6.15% sodium hypochlorite. These solutions have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial actions, including bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal, mycobactericidal, and sporicidal activities, and do not leave toxic residues.

Furthermore, sanitizers in liquid form are widely available in healthcare settings due to various advantages. Liquid sanitizers have a relatively faster action at a rate of less than 15 seconds compared to gel sanitizers, which require up to 30 seconds to eliminate viral or bacterial content. Also, gel-based solutions may be slower to dry, while liquid hand sanitizers may leave comparatively lesser residue on the skin, making them easier to use.

Based on composition, the global market is divided into alcohol-based, chlorine, and quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats), and others. 

The alcohol-based segment is the most significant contributor to the market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 10.66% over the forecast period. The use of alcohol-based disinfectants results in removing the protective coating of microbes and renders them non-functional. The most common active ingredients in alcohol-based disinfectants and sanitizers include isopropyl alcohol (IPA), ethyl alcohol, or sometimes a mixture of both. These ingredients have been widely used as low-level disinfectants in healthcare settings for many years.

Ethanol is a common alcoholic ingredient in these disinfectants due to its virucidal properties, whereas IPA is considered a better bactericide. The combination of both alcohols has also been proven to have a synergistic effect on disinfecting. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are recommended as a key component of hand hygiene to reduce infections in healthcare settings. The FDA recommends a concentration range of 60%–95% ethanol or isopropanol for the greatest germicidal efficacy for alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

Based on end-user, the global market is segmented into hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, ambulatory surgical centers, and others. 

The hospital segment owns the highest healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers market share and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 10.88% during the forecast period. Large and medium-sized hospitals are typically well-equipped with sophisticated healthcare infrastructure and provide safer and more effective treatment outcomes using healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers. Large and medium-sized hospitals are typically well-equipped with sophisticated healthcare infrastructure and provide more effective and secure treatment outcomes using healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers. HCPs also prefer to use technologically advanced medical equipment with adequate hygiene measures using healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers to prevent the risk of HAIs. As hospitals have greater use of healthcare disinfectants and sanitizers, the preference among patients to undergo disease treatments with hygiene practices has resulted in a healthy growth rate of hospitals during the forecast period.

Recent Developments

• June 2023- Shimadzu Corporation, a world titan in analytical instrumentation, initiated a collaboration with Shyld, a pioneer in artificial intelligence and robotics, hailed as "a significant breakthrough in the healthcare industry." This strategic partnership has produced an innovative AI-enhanced UV-C disinfection technology, demonstrating the ever-increasing impact of artificial intelligence on expediting healthcare processes, reducing operational costs, and addressing ongoing staffing shortages.
• June 2023- The Lysol disinfectant brand from Reckitt (RKT.L) announced that it would begin selling an "air sanitizing spray" that eliminates 99.9% of airborne viruses and bacteria in the United States. According to Reckitt, the U.S. EPA has approved the spray, which reduces the transmission of airborne pathogens such as the common cold, influenza, and coronavirus.