The global infection control market size was valued at USD 31.48 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 41.44 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.1% during the forecast period (2022–2030).
Microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, or fungi cause infectious diseases. Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), ear infections, eye infections, lung and respiratory infections, skin infections, common childhood infections, sexually transmitted infections, and stomach and intestinal infections are some of the different types. Numerous products control these infections, including sterilization, cleaning and disinfection, protective barriers, and endoscope reprocessing. Increased surgical procedures, higher rates of hospital-acquired infections, a rise in the number of older adults, technological advances in sterilization equipment, and an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases globally are all factors driving the growth of the infection control market.
The number of older adults on earth has significantly increased in recent years. Numerous chronic diseases, including cancer, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dementias, neurovascular diseases, and others, are more likely to affect older adults. Elderly patients are also more vulnerable to infections obtained in the hospital. This large population of older adults is susceptible to several chronic illnesses, necessitating infection control products while undergoing treatment. As a result, the global demand for infection control products rises as the geriatric population grows, fueling the market's expansion.
E-beam irradiation, also known as beta irradiation, is typically used to sterilize medical equipment and pharmaceutical packaging materials. Extremely dense materials are not a good fit for this sterilization and are typically used for low to medium-density products. It benefits from quick turn terminal sterilization and clean, straightforward on/off technology. Products can be sterilized using an e-beam for only a brief period, negating the possibility of radiation compatibility problems. E-beam sterilization takes an average of five to seven minutes to complete and helps to lessen the handling and associated risks. Therefore, the infection control market is anticipated to experience significant growth during the forecast period.
Most chemical disinfectants that are currently on the market have toxic qualities. For instance, sodium hypochlorite is a powerful disinfectant against blood-borne pathogens, but it is also highly corrosive and a respiratory irritant, making it hazardous for cleaning and disinfecting staff. Disinfectants misused can endanger the environment and patients exposed to them. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which defines these disinfection solutions as pesticides, mandates the registration of all disinfectants sold in the United States. Manufacturers are currently under pressure to create newer, greener disinfectants that are less corrosive to humans' eyes, like pH-neutral quaternary, butyl-free, and hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectants. As an illustration, in 2018, Clorox Healthcare released the alcohol-free Clorox Healthcare VersaSure Cleaner Disinfectant Wipes.
It is expected that the infection control market will expand due to opportunities in untapped markets, the availability of improved healthcare industry infrastructure, growth in the number of pharmaceutical and medical device industries, and rising demand for infection control products. Due to the increase in demand for better-advanced manufacturing systems and significant government investments to upgrade healthcare infrastructure, the healthcare industry is proliferating in emerging economies. The United States is a primary pharmaceutical market, while China is the largest BRIC pharmaceutical market, followed by Brazil, Russia, and India. Due to the abundance of resources available, Asian countries have seen development in the pharmaceutical research and medical device industries. During the forecast period, combining all these factors is expected to present a wide range of opportunities for market expansion.
| Study Period | 2018-2030 | CAGR | 3.1% |
| Historical Period | 2018-2020 | Forecast Period | 2022-2030 |
| Base Year | 2021 | Base Year Market Size | USD 31.48 billion |
| Forecast Year | 2030 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 41.44 billion |
| Largest Market | North America | Fastest Growing Market | Europe |
North America is the most significant global infection control market shareholder and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.4% during the forecast period. The report considers the United States, Canada, and Mexico as the three major North American nations. In 2020, the U.S. contributed the most to revenue in North America. One important factor influencing the expansion of the market is the presence of significant critical players in the area, including Steris Plc (Cantel Medical Corporation), 3M Company, Ecolab Inc., Fortive Corporation (Advanced Sterilization Products), and Sotera Health Inc. In addition, rising consumer emphasis on healthy lifestyles and disease prevention, rising demand for infection control products, soaring adoption of sterilization and disinfection products and services, and the implementation of beneficial government initiatives all significantly contribute to the growth of the North American market.
Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.8%, generating USD 11,852.65 million during the forecast period. Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and the rest of Europe are among the five major European nations in the infection control market. Increased patient adoption of infection control in Europe and ongoing efforts by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to raise public awareness of infection control and personal hygiene have positively impacted the market's expansion.
The main factors driving the Asia-Pacific market's expansion are favorable reimbursement policies linked to the treatment of chronic diseases, the availability of advanced healthcare systems, a significant rise in demand for such facilities, and a surge in public awareness of the uses and advantages of medical nonwoven products. The market is growing due to leading manufacturers' increased focus on expanding their geographic reach into developing Asia-Pacific nations to seize high-growth opportunities.
The infection control market in LAMEA is still in its infancy because there aren't enough hospitals and clinics providing cutting-edge medical treatment, and there aren't enough skilled medical workers. Due to the rising target population, rise in chronic disease cases, and advancements in healthcare infrastructure, LAMEA is an emerging market that is anticipated to offer lucrative growth opportunities for key players. Additionally, the market's growth is fueled by the increasing outsourcing of sterilization services and the increased demand for cleaning and disinfecting products in LAMEA.
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The market is bifurcated into sterilization, cleaning and disinfection products, protective barriers, and endoscope reprocessing products. The protective barriers segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.8% during the forecast period. Medical nonwoven products and gloves are examples of protective barriers for infection control. Medical nonwovens are a particular category of textile goods made from fibers sewn together to create a clear structure. These are combined through mechanical, thermal, chemical, or solvent processing. The main factors driving the growth of this market are the increased attention paid to preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), the increased number of surgical procedures, the growing awareness among patients about the benefits of incontinence products, and the rapid adoption of nanofiber and high-performance material technologies in the production of nonwoven products.
Sterilization is intended to remove or kill living microorganisms from tools, pharmaceuticals, and biological culture mediums, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and spore forms. A wide variety of products made from various materials with various configurations, densities, and orientations can be sterilized using these technologies. It is possible to fix products and devices by subjecting them to so-called sterilants—physical or chemical agents—for a predetermined time. Examples of sterilants include ionizing radiation, high temperatures, gases, and liquids. The main drivers of this market's growth are the rise in hospital-acquired infections (HAI), surgical procedures, outsourcing of sterilization services, reintroduction of ethylene oxide sterilization, and the prevalence of chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, and other autoimmune diseases.
The market is bifurcated into hospitals and clinics and pharmaceutical and medical device companies. The hospitals and clinics segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.9% during the forecast period. Healthcare facilities with specialized medical and nursing staff and equipment are present in hospitals and clinics. Since hospitals and clinics increasingly prefer infection control products, the hospitals and clinics segment gained the largest share in the global infection control market in 2020. Additionally, an increase in government initiatives to ensure high levels of infection prevention, an increase in the number of hospitals and clinics with advanced infection control solutions, an increase in the volume of surgical procedures performed in hospitals, and an increase in the geriatric population all contribute to the market growth.
In the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, infection control procedures are applied to a wide range of machinery, supplies, and goods with various physical properties and chemical compositions. Pharmaceutical businesses invest a lot of time and money into ensuring that their finished products are secure for the patient. Companies that manufacture drugs and medical equipment must adhere to strict guidelines for preventing infections. These businesses primarily use sterilization products like heat sterilization equipment, low-temperature sterilization equipment, radiation sterilization equipment, and filtration sterilization to sterilize their products.
