Medical Tubing Market

Market Overview

The global medical tubing market size was valued at USD 4.8 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 11.2 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.8% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

Highlights

• Polyvinyl chloride dominates the product segment
• Bulk disposable tubing dominates the application segment
• North America is the highest shareholder in the global market

Medical tubing satisfies the requirements and standards of the medical industry for various medical or pharmaceutical applications. Medical tubing is utilized with anesthesia and respiratory devices, IVs, catheters, peristaltic pumps, biopharmaceutical laboratory equipment, and fluid management and drainage. Certain materials that satisfy the required criteria are used to make medical tubing. Most medical-grade tubing comprises plastic or rubber, while some applications can call for metal tubes. 

The fact that the medical type of tubing is intended for medical applications sets it apart from other types. This classification typically results from certifications or standards that specify the types of materials and tube specifications that must be used. Hence, these regulations can ensure that the equipment used by doctors for both patient care and the production of drugs is dependable and secure.

Market Dynamics

Global Medical Tubing Market Drivers

Superior Physical Properties and Ease of Use

Medical tubing may require various features based on their usage in different applications. The most significant characteristic of medical tubes is opacity. Clear tubing is essential for fluid delivery tubes to track fluid movement and account for potential air bubbles in the system. Similarly, sterilization, the ability to coil the tubing for storage or transport, and static resistance are all features of medical tubing. Various polymers, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fluoropolymers, and polycarbonates, are used in the production of medical tubing. Plastics have increased the advantages of medical tubing solutions because of their adaptability, which includes better quality, cost control, tighter tolerances, and increased capabilities.

Medical tubing solutions, such as braided tubing, tapered tubing, and para tubing, produced through advanced extrusion technologies, are developed to eliminate assembling two or more tubes, resulting in cost reduction by eliminating secondary steps such as the joining of tubes. The latest developments in extrusion technologies offer plastic tubes with a combination of desired properties such as flexibility, high tensile strength, and lightweight and non-ferrous properties. These also augment the evolution of the medical tubing market.

Rising Demand for Single-Use/Disposable Medical Devices

Single-use medical devices refer to devices that are designed for one–time use on a single patient. As per the U.S. FDA, duodenoscopes are used annually in over 5 million endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures in the U.S. alone. They are inserted through the mouth into the patient's small intestine to drain fluids from pancreatic and biliary ducts. If duodenoscopes are improperly sterilized, the contaminated tissue or fluid can spread the infection to the hospital staff and patients if reused. This can lead to an increase in hospital-acquired infections (HAIs); thus, as a remedy, new medical devices are introduced by medical device manufacturers such as Pentax Medical. 

Additionally, single-use medical devices are recommended for the prevention of such infections. Growing awareness of hospital-acquired diseases and growing worries about the spread of such infections are projected to drive demand for disposable medical devices. The expansion of the global reach of disposable medical devices is anticipated to result from an increase in partnerships and joint ventures between firms in the medical device industry, accelerating the growth of the medical tubing market.

Global Medical Tubing Market Restraints

Stringent Regulations Pertaining to Medical Devices

Key players in the medical tube manufacturing market require various standards and certifications to enter the market. These include ISO 10993, a set of International Standards Organization (ISO) standards that analyzes the biocompatibility of medical devices before a clinical trial or study. The USP Class VI certification was established by the United States Pharmacopeia Convention (USP) to assess the appropriateness of material and compatibility of medical-grade devices. 

Toxicity, biochemical compatibility, leaching, and inertness tests are all part of the standard. USP Class VI is normally required as a minimum for all medical-grade devices. Likewise, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may require some types of medical tubing based on individual applications. The requirements for high standards may act as a hurdle for players trying to enter the market, thereby restraining market growth.

Global Medical Tubing Market Opportunities

Substantial Initial Investments in Healthcare Sector 

The recent rapid growth of the healthcare sector has been facilitated by increases in foreign direct investment (FDI), favorable reimbursement regulations, and governmental and private spending. As the healthcare market in developing nations experiences substantial changes due to shifting consumer preferences, growing healthcare knowledge, and aging populations, there is much potential for medical tubing in the healthcare and medical device industries. Increased public spending on healthcare infrastructure, increasing economic conditions, and expanding consumer purchasing power all contribute to market expansion in developing countries. As a result, the market for medical tubing has an enormous opportunity due to increased investments in healthcare infrastructure.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global medical tubing market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Central and South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global medical tubing market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. The North American economy is the largest and strongest in the world and is witnessing significant growth owing to the industrial dynamics and commodity abundance in its countries. The region includes the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, which are significant and complex economic systems. Factors such as rising healthcare expenditure and the increasing elderly population are anticipated to drive the demand for medical tubing in the region. Increases in product launches, demand for minimally invasive procedures, and strategic initiatives from key market players all contribute to regional market expansion. 

The United States is anticipated to hold a sizable market share during the forecast period. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than one in every seven American adults, with an estimated 37 million Americans suffering from kidney disease. These numbers come from the United States' most recent Kidney Disease Statistics report, released in July 2022. In addition, the increasing prevalence of CKD in the country is a key factor propelling the urinary catheters market. Market growth will be aided by introducing and accepting new products. For instance, in the United States, the SKATER Mini-Loop Drainage Catheters were introduced by Argon Medical Devices, Inc. in August 2021 as a minimally invasive means of removing or draining an unwanted fluid collection through the skin with the aid of imaging guidance.

Europe is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.8% over the forecast period. Several major economies characterize Europe, including Germany, the UK, France, Spain, Italy, and Russia. Supportive policies, strong wage growth, and continuous employment creation are a few factors contributing to the region's economic growth. However, the COVID-19 outbreak in several countries across the region is expected to impact its economic growth negatively. According to the European Economic Forecast Summer 2020 published by the European Commission, the Euro area economy declined by 8.7% in 2020 and increased by 6.1% in 2021. Further, the market for medical tubes in drug delivery systems is predicted to increase due to European medical device makers' constant innovation in drug delivery systems.

Japan and China, which together account for more than 50% of the Asia-Pacific medical tubing market, are the countries with the highest demand for medical tubing. The Asia-Pacific is a mix of varied characteristics with health sector profiles differing across countries. Countries like China, Japan, and India are advancing regarding medical device regulations and technologies. In contrast, countries such as South Korea manufacture low-end medical devices with inconsistent regulatory environments, making it difficult for medical tubing manufacturers to cater to the common requirements across the Asia-Pacific. 

Additionally, the region's healthcare sector is anticipated to increase steadily over the forecast period. The expansion of the region's hospitals and clinics and the number of people choosing to get care at home are significant drivers of the growth in the healthcare sector. Moreover, the growing population and increasing geriatric population are other factors likely to propel the demand for healthcare services, which is anticipated to expedite the demand for medical tubing over the forecast period.

The Central and South American region is characterized by various developing countries such as Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, and Colombia. The region's aging population due to longer life expectancies, lower birth rates, increased chronic disease cases, and expanded healthcare coverage all contribute to the region's growing demand for healthcare services. Public-private partnerships are also becoming more prevalent in the healthcare industry. Thus, the development of the medical tubing market in the area is anticipated to be aided by developing healthcare infrastructure and the healthcare sector over the forecast period.

In the Middle East and Africa, medical tourism is an integral part of its economic diversification plans. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are at the forefront among the GCC nations in attracting medical tourists. In addition, existing hospitals are planning to expand their medical capabilities, market shares, and physician practices, which has created an increased demand for healthcare products. Changing demographic and epidemiological trends are boosting the need for healthcare services, which is anticipated to propel the demand for medical tubing in the coming years.

Segmental Analysis

The global medical tubing market is segmented by product and application.

Based on the product, the global market is bifurcated into silicone, polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonates, fluoropolymers, and others. 

The polyvinyl chloride segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely utilized thermoplastic material in medical tube manufacturing on account of its ability to meet the demanding requirements of the healthcare industry. The rising demand for PVC-based medical devices results from increased single-use pre-sterilized medical equipment. Irradiation and ethylene oxide sterilization techniques can also be used to sterilize PVC. Chemical resistance is a requirement for polymer materials used to make medical devices. They should not undergo any changes either in their composition or properties when in contact with liquids. In addition, the transparency of the polymer material is an important characteristic that allows for the monitoring of continuous fluid flow in the tube. A high degree of biocompatibility is required between human tissues and polymer materials. PVC is a transparent material that is resistant to chemicals and is biocompatible. As a result, it is the most preferred material for manufacturing medical tubes.

The necessity to reduce accidental contamination has led to a rise in the demand for disposable and single-use medical devices. High-density polyethylene and polypropylene (polyolefins) produce various medical devices, such as plunger rods in syringes and moldings in diagnostic equipment. In contrast, polypropylene is predominantly used in centrifuge tubes. Polyolefins are particularly preferred when medical devices are to fulfill the regulatory requirements established by regulatory bodies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Pharmacopeia regulations. These factors will likely lead to a significant increase in the production of disposable medical devices, greatly increasing demand for polyolefins like polypropylene and polyethylene. 

Polyolefins are highly used in diameter medical tube devices as they require materials with a unique combination of strength and flexibility. In addition, they are used in a wide range of catheter applications, from dilators to lumen liners, as these materials offer low friction properties and are economically priced compared to other materials, such as fluoropolymers and silicones.

Based on application, the global market is segmented into bulk disposable tubing, drug delivery systems, catheters, biopharmaceutical laboratory equipment, and others. 

The bulk disposable tubing segment owns the highest market share and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period. Bulk disposable devices include surgical instruments, urological products, syringes, and needles. Increasing emphasis on preventing the spread of infection from one patient to another is expected to drive the segment over the forecast period. Less invasive medical procedures are becoming more popular than traditional surgical procedures as they are low cost and enable fast recovery time and short hospital stays. In addition, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, cancer, etc., requires extensive surgical treatment. This fuels the demand for minimally invasive medical procedures, thereby contributing to the requirement for plastic polymers, which are perfect for use in catheters and medical tubes. Surgical instruments such as trocars and inflators are witnessing increased demand, driven by the rising preference for minimally invasive devices. These devices require tough and rigid polymer materials, which resist the medical device's bending when inserted into the body cavity. 

Catheters, which are little tubes made of materials of the highest quality for medicine, have many different uses. They are inserted into patients' bodies to treat illnesses or perform operations. The demand for catheters has been spurred by increasing chronic conditions in the global population requiring hospitalization. The surging proclivity of midscale manufacturers of catheters to enhance their market share and the increasing financing by various government agencies to conduct research and development activities in the medical field are projected to boost market expansion throughout the forecast period.

Recent Developments

• June 2023- TekniPlex Healthcare purchased new medical tubing extrusion lines and downstream equipment to expand its Cartago, Costa Rica, production facility. The multi-phase project will increase manufacturing capacity and capabilities while increasing approximately 40,000 square feet of assembly and storage space.
• February 2023- Freudenberg Medical, a global contract manufacturer for the medical device and pharmaceutical industries, added custom silicone extrusion and tube processing to its new cleanroom manufacturing facility in Beverly, Massachusetts. Production of silicone tubing began in January, and additional capacity will be installed in the first quarter to serve customers better.