Medical Device Coating Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Coating Type (Hydrophilic, Antimicrobial, Drug-eluting, Thromboresistant, Others), By Material (Metallic, Non-metallic), By Product (Catheters, Implants, Electrosurgical Instruments, Stents, Other) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2023-2031

Market Overview

The global medical device coating market size was valued at USD 11.29 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 18.89 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.89% during the forecast period (2023–2031). Growth in medical device coatings is set to be spurred by robust demand, a rising geriatric population, a growing prevalence of chronic conditions, and technological advances. The global market is also sustained by the focus on quality healthcare services, increasing demand for minimally invasive surgeries, and the need for regular diagnosis of medical conditions.

Medical device coatings (MDCs) enhance the maneuverability and functionality of medical devices like dental implants and surgical, cardiovascular, orthopedic, neurology, and gynecology devices. Enhancing wear resistance, decreasing galling between sliding components, and increasing lubrication aid in preserving the sharpness of cutting instruments' edges.

Medical device coatings also aid in avoiding allergenic substances while protecting medical devices from bacteria, allowing them to be used on multiple patients without endangering new infections. They also provide several functional advantages, such as an anti-glare surface for light operating rooms, anti-fouling properties in the presence of blood and tissue, and antimicrobial properties.

Market Dynamics

Global medical device coating market drivers

Growing demand for antimicrobial coatings

Intensive care units (ICUs) are home to 50% of all life-threatening hospital-acquired bloodstream infections and pneumonia cases, although only ICUs account for 15%–20% of all hospital beds. About one in 25 inpatients are prone to infections associated with hospital care. Therefore, to overcome the threat of high-risk HAIs occurring during medical procedures or using medical devices, novel methods, appropriate cleaning, antibiotics, and disinfectants should be employed. One such major approach is the introduction of coating technologies.

Antimicrobial (nano) coatings are effective against HAIs as they are cost-effective, long-lasting, and prevent bacterial growth. Antimicrobial compounds such as silver, silanes, copper, antibiotics, and triclosan can be added to coatings to eliminate pathogens on the surface of medical devices. Thus, a surge in the target population with HAIs is contributing significantly to the growth of the antimicrobial coatings market.

Increasing demand for minimally invasive surgeries

Since 1990, outstanding advancements in minimally invasive surgeries (MISs) have improved the quality of life in patients undergoing surgical interventions. Various invasive surgical techniques exposing less injury, faster recovery, lower infection risk, reduced cost, and best cosmetic results have gained considerable attention. Surgical procedures such as laparoscopy, cholecystectomy, appendectomy, gynecological surgeries, and hernia repair have become standard procedures for MIS.

In many cases, higher accuracy rates were obtained with MIS than with open surgeries. Less invasive surgical procedures are gaining more significance compared to traditional surgeries. The market is expected to grow due to the growing demand for medical devices, particularly implants and robotic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. These devices also require high-performance, biocompatible specialty coatings to meet their clinical, engineering, and operational (quality, cost, delivery) requirements.

Global medical device coating market restraint

High costs and fluctuating prices of raw materials

Compared to conventional coatings, the cost of antimicrobial coatings is relatively higher. The risks associated with raw materials prices, supplier production disruptions, and supplier capacity constraints, including increasing costs for energy, supply disturbances, or the unavailability of certain raw materials, could result in destruction to manufacturing capabilities or supply imbalances that may have material adverse effect on manufacturers' business and financial conditions, thereby restricting market growth.

Global medical device coating market opportunities

Rising start-ups for coating medical devices 

There has been significant growth in start-up organizations that provide coatings for medical devices. Gradually, start-ups are gaining significance with their novel coatings and coating technologies that are improving the effectiveness of medical devices. A Canadian start-up, TriPhyll, uses bio-nanotechnology to produce antimicrobial surface coating solutions. Its proprietary coating formulation prevents microbial film formation and extends the shelf-life of collected blood and platelets.

Start-ups have developed bio-inspired coatings with omniphobic and anti-fouling effects to prevent thrombosis and biofouling of indwelling medical devices and extracorporeal circuits. LipoCoat, a Dutch start-up, developed a bio-inspired coating for medical devices like contact lenses, catheters, and implants. This start-up's coating, Lipocoat, is hydrophilic, anti-fouling, and sustainable, miming the bilipid layer of a cell membrane, thereby enhancing stability through regeneration. The growing number of start-ups for medical device coatings is raising awareness regarding novel coating materials and technologies that create opportunities for the market's growth.

Regional Analysis

North America Dominates the Global Market

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

North America is the most significant global medical device coating market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.17% during the forecast period. Major aspects contributing to the market expansion in this region include increasing use of medical devices such as catheters, ventilators, stents, and others used in healthcare centers due to rising hospitalizations, advancements in medical technology, increasing demand for home healthcare, and growing export of medical devices. Rising chronic diseases amongst the elderly population and increasing prevalence of infections have further increased the use of these medical devices, contributing to the market's growth.

North America has the highest concentration of medical coating manufacturers compared to other regions. Few companies increasingly collaborate strategically with manufacturers, driving market growth. Strong partnerships between the US and Canadian medical device industries because of relatively similar quality, geographic proximity, and safety standards stimulate the growth of North America's medical coatings market.

Europe is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.68% over the forecast period. The number of elderly people with chronic illnesses has dramatically increased over time. Chronic illnesses have also increased in the senior population and adults due to various risk factors, including pollution, smoking, and other underlying conditions. This has increased hospital admissions and the simultaneous use of related medical devices. Furthermore, growing healthcare expenditure, advancement of healthcare infrastructure, rising demand for home healthcare, and increasing use of implantable devices are raising the need for coated medical devices. According to the European CDC, around nine million patients annually acquire HAIs in European hospitals and long-term care facilities. Europe also carries an estimated economic burden of USD 7.78 billion annually due to HAIs. UTI and surgical site infections are prevalent in healthcare establishments, accelerating the uptake of medical device coatings.

Asia-Pacific is expected to have the fastest growth compared to other medical device coatings market regions. Asia-Pacific has the highest burden of elderly people associated with chronic conditions. This increased hospital admissions and the need for medical devices such as diagnostic and surgical instruments, stents, guidewires, and many others. Many deaths in the Asia-Pacific region occur due to non-communicable diseases, especially in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia. The disorders include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases. In addition, liver cancer in Asia accounts for 80% of the global cases, with 55% of the new diagnoses occurring in Hong Kong and China alone. Major Asian countries also have a high prevalence of hepatitis B, which causes liver inflammation. The rising prevalence of these diseases simultaneously increases hospital admissions across the region, thereby increasing the demand for medical devices.

In Latin America, the aging population's propensity for chronic illnesses, rising healthcare costs, and increased usage of medical devices are all factors driving the expansion. Chronic diseases are the leading reason of death across the Latin American region. In Brazil, for example, 928,000 deaths occur annually due to chronic diseases. In 2016, in Mexico, the reported prevalence of overweight/obesity in adults older than 20 was 75.2%, whereas diabetes mellitus and hypertension reached 10.3% and 18.4%, respectively. According to the WHO, in Latin American adults, obesity was 62.8% in men and 59.8% in women in 2016. This contributes to the rise in hospital admissions and the simultaneous need for diagnostic equipment, needles, and other devices.

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, an increase in 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. HAIs are also anticipated to increase in prevalence in the coming years.

Segmental Analysis

The global medical device coating market is bifurcated into coating type, material, and product.

Based on coating type, the global medical device coating market is segmented into hydrophilic, antimicrobial, drug-eluting, thromboresistant, and others. 

The hydrophilic coating segment is the highest contributor to the market and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.11% throughout the forecast period. Hydrophilic coatings are used on medical devices to reduce surface friction and enhance lubricity. These coatings are biomedically safe compared to non-hydrophilic coated lubricants. They also include antimicrobial properties that other coatings may not have. Moreover, hydrophilic coatings have a multipurpose capacity and offer cost-effective benefits, including enhanced functionality and infection-fighting functions. Hydrophilic coatings include polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyurethanes, polyacrylic acid, polyethylene oxide, and polysaccharide materials. Depending on the functional requirements of medical devices, there is a large availability of both types of natural and synthetic hydrophilic coatings.

Antimicrobial coating is the most effective method for enhancing infection control in a hospital setting, which limits the growth and spread of bacteria and germs on the surfaces of medical instruments. It is predicted that 80,000 bloodstream infections occur in the US annually due to catheter use, while 0.5% of pacemaker recipients develop a serious infection. Due to this, the use of antimicrobial coatings has become more extensive.

In addition, manufacturers are constantly looking to embed the surfaces of their medical devices with antimicrobials for combatting antibiotic-resistant infections. Antimicrobial agents fabricating antibacterial surfaces for medical devices consist of organic molecules and inorganic metal ions. Metals such as silver, copper, zinc, nickel, zirconium, and gold are well known for their antimicrobial activities and are used in various in vitro and in vivo applications.

Based on material, the global medical device coating market is segmented into metallic and non-metallic segments. 

The metallic segment is the largest contributor to the market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.74% over the forecast period. Metallic coatings offer long-lasting protection. They are cost-effective and have fine finishing, among other advantages. Combining different metal ions can be tailored to have broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activities. They can also be customized to promote osseointegration and are typically very biocompatible. Studies have documented the performance and efficacy of metal ions for several medical devices and products.

For instance, urinary catheters coated with silver have been more effective than conventional alloy-coated catheters. Silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) are the most widely applied metal coatings. Most medical devices are coated with silver and copper for their wide antibacterial spectrum. Metals like silver and copper have displayed widespread commercial deployment of metallic antimicrobials for decades.

Most non-metallic substances are ideal for various medical, household, industrial, and other applications. Non-metallic materials provide a range of physical and chemical properties, including low thermal and electrical conductivity, good insulators, and high resistance to chemicals and corrosion. Non-metallic coatings will likely gain more significance in the coming years due to their higher availability, lesser toxic effects, and cost-effectiveness.

Based on product, the global medical device coating market is bifurcated into catheters, implants, electrosurgical instruments, stents, and others. 

The catheters segment dominates the global market and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 6.28% during the forecast period. Catheters are the most widely utilized medical device in the world. Some commonly used catheters are urinary catheters, vascular access devices, cardiovascular catheters, and dialysis catheters. For instance, urinary catheters are used in almost 15%-25% of hospitalized patients. Various catheter-associated infections are observed in catheter patients due to microbial flora and biofilm formation growth. This extends hospital stays and increases the burden on patients, and certain cases may even lead to death. Therefore, most catheters are coated with antimicrobial coatings to prevent such infections. As coatings increase the effectiveness of catheters, metals, and polymers are used as coatings on these devices.

In hospital operating rooms or outpatient treatments, electrosurgical devices are commonly utilized during surgeries to help stop blood loss. These devices include electrosurgical pencils, electrodes, forceps, scissors, leads, suction tubes, retractors, and quivers. These are commonly used in many surgical disciplines, including orthopedic, neurosurgery, urological, ENT, gynecology, and dental procedures. Electrosurgical and energy-based therapy devices often apply silver plating due to their ability to increase electrical and thermal conductivity. In addition, bipolar forceps are an electrosurgical tool that, when coated with silver on the tips, can enhance thermal conductivity without harming the tissue surrounding the site. Silver coating provides similar properties when applied to cautery pencils and other tools.

Recent Developments

• March 2023: Biocoat Incorporated, a manufacturer of hydrophilic biomaterial coatings, coating services, and coating apparatus for medical devices, announced that its HYDAK® UV coating is now being applied to two medical devices that have been granted FDA 510(k) clearance.

• July 2023: Asep Medical Holdings Inc. announced that it finished the final milestone in its acquisition of SafeCoat Medical Inc. ("SafeCoat") and entered into an exclusive worldwide license agreement with the University of British Columbia ("UBC") through its subsidiary SafeCoat (the "Technology").