The global hydrogel dressing market size was valued at USD 426.12 million in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 996.75 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.9% during the forecast period (2023–2031).
Hydrogel is a water-insoluble polymer chain network essential in wound care as its high moisture content helps prevent infections by obstructing microorganisms. It keeps the wound surface hydrated, which helps in pain management and provides an ideal environment for wound cleansing of autolytic debridement. Hydrogel dressing is used for dry, necrotic wounds, sloughy, granulating, and epithelializing wound care. They are also used for surgical wounds, skin tears, burns, pressure ulcers, and diabetes-related wounds.
The hydrogel dressing products provide solutions to patients suffering from the chronic condition by offering them reasonably priced and readily accessible products. Hydrogels are also used to produce soft contact lenses and personal hygiene products that absorb body fluids and limit bacteria growth. Moreover, they offer various advantages, such as aiding in maintaining a hydrated environment for proper flow of oxygen, keeping the temperature consistent, protecting the wound site from exogenous infection, and easing pain associated with dressing changes.
An increase in incidences of diabetes, ulcer, obesity, and chronic conditions is expected to augment the demand for hydrogel dressing products. For instance, in the U.S., peptic ulcer disease (PUD) affects approximately 4.5 million people annually. In 2019, over 39% of adults aged 18 years and above were overweight. In addition, according to IDF (International Diabetes Federation), the number of individuals who have diabetes is expected to reach 700 million by 2045 from 463 million in 2019. Diabetes and obesity can develop other chronic conditions, such as venous insufficiencies and impaired healing. Therefore, a rise in chronic conditions and comorbidities leads to increased wound complexities, driving the demand for hydrogel dressing products.
Over the past few years, the geriatric population has grown significantly throughout the globe. For instance, the global population aged 65 and above is projected to reach ~1.5 billion individuals by 2050 from ~703 million in 2019. Moreover, aged people are more susceptible to severe chronic and surgical wounds, which increases the need for hydrogel dressing products. Furthermore, other age-associated changes such as reduced skin elasticity, slower collagen replacement, ulcers, and diabetes affect wound healing, propelling the need for hydrogel dressing. Therefore, the rising geriatric population is constantly imposing more burden on healthcare systems worldwide since the prevalence rate of chronic diseases is increasing at an alarming rate globally.
Hydrogel dressing products are expensive and technologically driven due to their high manufacturing and production cost. Thus, the high price of the products is the primary factor that hinders their effective penetration in low- and middle-income countries. Moreover, other factors, such as additional hospital visits, the need for continuous dressing changes, and additional costs incurred by nursing care and hospital stays, hamper the growth of the global market. Hydrogel dressing costs have also increased because of the rise in obesity, diabetes mellitus, ulcers, and chronic diseases. Therefore, the high cost associated with hydrogel dressing considerably restrains the growth of the global market.
Emerging markets possess high expansion potential due to the availability of improved healthcare infrastructure, unmet healthcare needs, and a rise in the incidence of burns, diabetes, and ulcer. Furthermore, developing regions such as North America and the U.S. present lucrative opportunities for key players operating in the hydrogel dressing market, owing to a high population base, increased awareness about hydrogel dressing, and rising demand for advanced therapies. Additionally, the healthcare industry in emerging economies is developing significantly due to an upsurge in advanced healthcare services demand, significant investments by governments of developing countries to improve the healthcare sector, and the development of the medical tourism sector in emerging countries.
In addition, hydrogel dressing has various advantages, such as rehydrating the wound bed, reducing pain due to its cooling nature, and facilitating autolytic debridement. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates, the current wound care industry is massive and expected to grow rapidly yearly. This is attributed to the availability of various products to treat chronic wounds, such as AQUACEL, AMERIGEL, Tegaderm, and impregnated sterile dressings. Moreover, researchers' prime focus is developing new wound healing technologies. Hence, all these factors together are projected to present lucrative opportunities for market growth over the forecast period.
| Study Period | 2019-2031 | CAGR | 9.9% |
| Historical Period | 2019-2021 | Forecast Period | 2023-2031 |
| Base Year | 2022 | Base Year Market Size | USD 426.12 Million |
| Forecast Year | 2031 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 996.75 Million |
| Largest Market | North America | Fastest Growing Market | Europe |
Based on region, the global hydrogel dressing market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.
North America is the most substantial shareholder in the global hydrogel dressing market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% during the forecast period. North America accounted for the largest share and is expected to exhibit continuous growth soon. This is majorly attributed to the development of advanced systems, an upsurge in the adoption of wound care products for treating chronic and acute wounds, and a surge in the geriatric population. Furthermore, the ease of availability of wound care products and the rise in awareness among individuals toward their usage propel the market growth. In addition, favorable reimbursement scenario by the Centers for Medical and Medicaid Services (CMS) for wound care drives the growth of the hydrogel dressing market in the U.S. This is attributed to the fact that these changed reimbursement policies help in providing economic incentives for hospitals to improve care and reduce cost.
Additionally, the presence of major key players in the region, such as 3M, ConvaTec Group Plc, Integra Lifesciences (Derma Sciences), and Johnson & Johnson, is a significant factor that fuels the growth of the market. The rising prevalence of chronic conditions like diabetes and obesity and more advanced healthcare facilities with qualified medical staff are available. There are also more road accidents and sports-related injuries, which all significantly contribute to the growth of the North American hydrogel dressing market.
Europe is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 9.5% over the forecast period. The growth of the European hydrogel dressing market is driven by the rise in awareness about the solutions for chronic wound infection, the presence of a large population base, a surge in disposable income, growth in the geriatric population, and an increase in demand for emerging technologies. In addition, an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes due to lifestyle changes significantly boosts the market's growth. For instance, as per the International Diabetes Federation, around 59 million adults aged 20-79 years were registered to suffer from diabetes in Europe in 2019. A rise in patient awareness toward hydrogel dressing treatment and management is the other key growth driver of the Europe hydrogel dressing market.
Additionally, the surge in demand for hydrogel dressing products and the strong presence of key players such as B. Braun Melsungen AG and Smith & Nephew Plc positively influence the market growth in this region. Moreover, hospitals in Europe are increasingly investing in hydrogel dressing products and technologies due to their rapid healing mechanism. Many Eastern and Western European hospitals have shifted their preferences from traditional wound care and closure products to hydrogel dressing products, further increasing the market's growth.
Asia-Pacific is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period. The market growth in the Asia-Pacific region is attributable to a rise in the incidence of chronic diseases, high disposable income, increased patient awareness toward hydrogel dressing, and a surge in demand for hydrogel dressing products. In addition, Asia-Pacific is densely populated, with India and China being the most populated countries. Thus, due to the enormous population, the prevalence of diabetes is expected to increase. In South Asia, an estimated 82 million persons had diabetes in 2017, and by 2045, that number is expected to rise to 151 million, according to the International Diabetes Federation. Therefore, such an alarming increase in the prevalence rate of diabetes is anticipated to boost the market growth in Asia-Pacific. Moreover, hydrogel dressing products are gaining an advantage over traditional wound care products, inclination toward homecare treatment and the need for early patient discharge from hospitals. Hence, considering all the above factors, Asia-Pacific is a potential hydrogel dressing product market.
The hydrogel dressing market in LAMEA is growing due to the need for hospitals with advanced healthcare facilities and a shortage of trained medical professionals. However, the LAMEA hydrogel dressing market is expected to grow considerably over the forecast period due to increased healthcare awareness. LAMEA is an emerging market expected to provide lucrative growth opportunities for the key players, owing to an increase in several target populations, the surge in awareness of hydrogel dressing products, and improvement in the healthcare infrastructure. Moreover, the rise in the number of diabetes and ulcer cases in LAMEA fuels the adoption of hydrogel dressing services, thereby driving market growth. In addition, a rise in government funding for developing wound care products and introducing programs for healthcare awareness is anticipated to drive market growth during the forecast period. Brazil was the major shareholder in the LAMEA hydrogel dressing market. This is attributed to the rise in healthcare expenditure, penetration of leading players, and easy availability of hydrogel dressing products.
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The global hydrogel dressing market is segmented by product and end-user.
Based on product, the global hydrogel dressing market is divided into the amorphous hydrogel, impregnated hydrogel, and sheet hydrogel.
The amorphous hydrogel segment is responsible for the highest market share and is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 10.4% over the forecast period. Amorphous hydrogels are glycerin, polymer, and water-based materials produced primarily for wound hydration. These dressings maintain a moist environment for wound healing, promote granulation and epithelialization, and facilitate autolytic debridement. It supplies a dry wound with moisture and maintains a humid healing environment. The high level of moisture helps to rehydrate damaged tissue. As a primary dressing, amorphous hydrogels are suitable for treating partial and full-thickness wounds, such as stage II-IV pressure ulcers, deep wounds, mild burns, infected wounds, cutaneous ulcers, skin rips, donor sites, radiation dermatitis, and wounds with necrosis or slough.
Additionally, the primary factors contributing to the growth of the amorphous hydrogel market include a significant increase in the prevalence of ulcers across the globe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 3-6 million of the U.S. population suffers from ulcers yearly. It offers products such as Kendall amorphous hydrogel, which can treat wounds with high moisture content. Furthermore, it promotes a moist wound-healing environment and is indicated for use on partial- and full-thickness dermal ulcers, venous insufficiency, arterial and neuropathic ulcers, and skin tears.
Sheet hydrogels are three-dimensional networks of hydrophilic cross-linked polymers, which are insoluble in water and connect through swelling with aqueous solutions. They are highly conformable and permeable and can withstand different amounts of drainage from the wounds, depending on their composition. It is used as a primary dressing to treat deep wounds, minor burns, infected wounds, dermal ulcers, skin tears, donor sites, radiation dermatitis, and wounds with necrosis or slough. It provides a non-adhesive layer against the wound. These sheets are available in various sizes, with and without adhesive borders.
Furthermore, sheet hydrogel is absorbent in nature, non-adherent, and semipermeable to water vapor and gases, which will prevent the wound from infection. In addition, the surge in demand for innovative and hydrogel dressing products and a rise in the incidence of burns and trauma injuries across the globe are expected to drive the market's growth. Moreover, sheet hydrogel products' low toxicity and biocompatibility fuel their demand for effective wound care. Smith & Nephew Plc, Integra Lifesciences (Derma sciences), and others are the key players operating in the sheet hydrogel dressing market.
Based on end-user, the global hydrogel dressing market is segmented into hospitals, physician's offices, and others.
The hospital segment owns the highest market share and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period. Out-patient centers and in-patient centers are considered under the hospitals' segment. An increase in inclination toward hydrogel dressing products has been witnessed in the hospital segment. In addition, the rise in investments by hospitals in hydrogel dressing products to reduce hospital stay and curb the overall cost burden by minimizing more extended hospital stay fuels the growth of the global market. Moreover, the surge in medical tourism influences hospitals to opt for solutions such as hydrogel dressing products and quality wound care products that promote faster healing for early discharge of patients, which drives the market's growth. However, pricing strategies for hydrogel dressing products are the major challenge for adopting such products.
A physician's office is a healthcare center that provides routine preventative care and primary care services. It is smaller than a hospital and does not provide admitting facilities. Furthermore, they provide numerous benefits, such as short-term care facilities at a relatively lower cost. The primary factors driving this market's growth include increased research activities about wound care products and increased patient awareness about infections. Moreover, the surge in the geriatric population fuels the demand for effective hydrogel dressing products in physician's offices.
