Surgical Sealant and Adhesives Market

Market Overview

The global surgical sealant and adhesives market size was valued at USD 2.05 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 3.57 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.37% during the forecast period (2023–2031). The increasing prevalence and incidence rates of various disorders, like obesity and CVDs, the growing number of accidents, and the surging geriatric population have led to an increase in the number of surgical procedures performed worldwide, driving the global surgical sealant and adhesives market.

Adhesives and sealants are various sticking agents joining two or more surfaces. Adhesives are chemical mixtures that hold, fasten, or bind two or more objects or materials together. They possess a high shear and tensile strength, and the bond can be temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent. In contrast, sealants are semi-solid substances used primarily to prevent fluid leakage. They provide a barrier or protective coating by filling the spaces between substrates to seal components and joints.

Surgical sealants and adhesives are utilized to repair damaged tissues surgical wounds, and even to replace conventional suturing techniques. These products generate a hemostatic layer to prevent blood and air leakage from a specific area. The closure of injured tissues during surgery is an essential step in restoring tissue structure and function.

Market Dynamics

Global Surgical Sealant and Adhesives Market Drivers:

Increasing Surgical Procedures

The flourishing prevalence of chronic illnesses worldwide is boosting the demand for effective and advanced treatment services involving surgical procedures. As a result of this particular factor, there has been a notable rise in the quantity of surgical procedures being conducted. It is further expected to increase, boosting the development of the surgical sealant and adhesives market during the forecast period.

The research study published in September 2020 titled "Estimation of the National Surgical Needs in India by Enumerating the Surgical Procedures in an Urban Community Under Universal Health Coverage" estimated that about 11% of the global disease burden requires surgical or anesthetic care. In contrast to the worldwide average of 5,000 procedures per 100,000 individuals, the surgical demands of the Indian population are projected to necessitate approximately 3,646 surgeries yearly. Thus, with the surging demand for surgical procedures worldwide, the market is expected to grow during the forecast period.

Shift from Conventional Wound Sealing Methods

One of the major market drivers for surgical sealants and adhesives is the shift from conventional wound-sealing methods to newer wound-sealing techniques. Conventional products utilized to manage wounds and incisions, such as sutures and staplers, can cause bodily fluid leakage and surgical scarring. Adhesives and sealants, particularly those derived from natural sources, effectively block the leaking of blood and other fluids by forming a link with the tissue, preventing the need for staplers and sutures. These alternatives are safe and durable, which drives their adoption over conventional products during and after surgical procedures.

Global Surgical Sealant and Adhesives Market Restraints:

Unfavorable Reimbursement Policies

In light of the potential impact on the adoption of new technologies, the absence of an appropriate reimbursement structure is a problem impeding the market's expansion. The widespread adoption of surgical sealants and adhesives is hindered globally due to complicated reimbursement procedures and a dearth of reimbursement policies in their favor. The potential consequences could have a detrimental effect on the market for surgical sealants and adhesives.

In addition, many developing and impoverished nations typically lack the presence of such institutions and policies. Moreover, even in cases where such institutions exist, the compensation process is sometimes challenging. The absence of a suitable reimbursement system limits the market's expansion since it can impact the adoption of new technologies.

Global Surgical Sealant and Adhesives Market Opportunities:

Technological Advancements

Technological innovations and research in surgical procedures and the devices/products used in these procedures are not only improving the quality of surgical sealants and adhesives. However, they are also contributing to the widespread accessibility of these products in the global market. The companies engaged in the sector are continuously enhancing their product offering through new investments and developments and launching new and technologically advanced surgical sealants and adhesives, which is expected to create opportunities for market growth.

For instance, as per the February 2022 press release, Sanyo Chemical's Aquabird (local brand name Hydrofit) received regulatory approval as a medical device in Taiwan, and clinical use commenced in December 2021. Aquabrid is a non-absorbent topical hemostatic sealant for the central circulatory system manufactured by Sanyo Chemical and marketed by Terumo Corporation. As the promising findings of these studies can be applied to enhance further and progress the technology and use of sealants and adhesives, it is anticipated that the current and new research on surgical sealants and adhesives will supplement the advancement initiatives.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global surgical sealant and adhesives market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America Dominates the Global Market

North America is the most significant global surgical sealant and adhesives market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 6.48% during the forecast period. Increased public and private healthcare expenditure and a rise in adaptation of minimally invasive surgeries are driving the overall growth of the North American surgical sealant and adhesives market. In March 2022, the federal government introduced Bill C-17 in the House of Commons, which provided USD 2 billion in additional healthcare funding to clear 700,000 surgeries and other medical procedures delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and support hundreds of thousands of additional surgeries. These surgery increases will boost surgical sealants and adhesives, driving the studied market growth.

Furthermore, owing to the high prevalence of diseases and the rising geriatric population, this region has more demand for surgeries. According to the Fact Sheet on Aging and Health published by the WHO in October 2021, the number of people aged 60 years and older was 1 billion in 2020; it is predicted to advance to 1.4 billion by 2030. This population is more prone to getting diseases and undergoing surgeries, leading to increased adoption of surgical sealants and adhesives in the region, thus expected to drive the market's growth.

Europe is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 6.02% over the forecast period. The market in the region is expected to project growth owing to factors such as rising healthcare expenditure and the increasing burden of neurological diseases and mental illness, followed by an adaptation of various surgical procedures in recent years. In addition, the surging geriatric population in the region is expected to boost market growth. For instance, Germany's population of adults aged 65 and above accounted for 18,052,747 in 2020, according to the World Bank's Data 2020. Chronic diseases, such as orthopedic illness, heart diseases, and neurological disorders, have a higher incidence in the older population and a greater possibility of affecting the older population.

Similarly, the key participants in the region are launching new products to bolster their market position. For instance, in December 2020, WACKER expanded its silicone portfolio to include silicone sealants derived from renewable raw materials. With its ELASTOSIL eco brand launched in Europe, the Munich-based chemical Group can offer products manufactured using bio-based methanol to silicone sealant suppliers. Such developments are expected to expedite market growth.

The Asia-Pacific market for surgical sealants is anticipated to record the highest CAGR over the forecast period. The surging investments by major players in these regions, rising health awareness, rising per capita income, rising medical tourism, the presence of less stringent regulations, and the rising demand for quality healthcare are anticipated to expedite the expansion of this market over the forecast period. As per the study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in June 2020, the burden of CVD in China is high because of highly prevalent and poorly controlled risk factors caused by the changing sociodemographic structure and lifestyles of the country's large population. The increase in death rates due to cancer and cardiovascular disease is advancing the number of surgeries, thereby boosting the demand for surgical sealants and adhesives across all hospital settings.

In the Middle East and Africa, some factors, such as the rising prevalence of orthopedic illnesses and cancers and the increasing surgical sealants and adhesives applications in hospitals and ambulatory settings, propel the overall market growth. The expansion of the geriatric population in the region is one of the major aspects driving the expansion of the market. For instance, per the United Nations Population Fund's World Population Dashboard's Statistics 2021, approximately 3.4% of Kuwait's population is 65 years and above. Since this age group is more vulnerable to chronic and lifestyle disorders, it leads to more surgeries; hence, the demand for surgical sealants and adhesives is anticipated to increase owing to the developing disease management and treatment options.

Segmental Analysis

The global surgical sealant and adhesives market is segmented by product and application.

Based on product, the global surgical sealant and adhesives market is bifurcated into natural or biological sealants and adhesives and synthetic and semi-synthetic adhesives. 

The natural or biological sealants and adhesives segment dominates the market and is projected to develop a CAGR of 5.28% over the forecast period. The segment is further bifurcated into fibrin sealants, collagen-based adhesives, and gelatin-based adhesives. The fibrin sealant is the leading revenue contributor to this segment and is expected to propel at a CAGR of 5.81%. Fibrin sealant is the only compound approved by the FDA as a hemostat, sealer, and adhesive. Patches are now available in addition to the original liquid versions. Fibrin sealants are employed in various surgical specialties, including cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, thoracic surgery, and dental surgery.

In addition, fibrin sealants positively impact surgical outcomes, such as a faster time to hemostasis, less blood loss, and fewer complications. The rising prevalence of cardiac disorders in developing countries may lead to increased use of hemostats during the projection period. This scenario may increase the number of complex procedures, as cardiac surgeries are expected to create lucrative opportunities for segment growth.

The synthetic and semi-synthetic adhesives are segmented into cyanoacrylates, polyethylene glycol polymer, polymeric hydrogels, and other synthetic and semi-synthetic adhesives. The cyanoacrylates dominated the market and are predicted to grow at a CAGR of 8.16%. Cyanoacrylate-derived adhesives are synthetic glues stronger than fibrin sealants for external tissue repair. They work quickly and form a solid binding. Cyanoacrylate-derived adhesives are commonly used, as it is waterproof, flexible, and do not require a secondary dressing.

Additionally, toxicity and tissue inflammation are risks of using cyanoacrylate adhesives. Moreover, cyanoacrylate is a cheap, simple, fast, and available technique for anastomosis in urological, vascular, gynecological, and general surgical procedures. It may be a good alternative to microsurgery. In June 2021, the wound adhesive 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (Dermabond) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the closure of incised skin. These factors contribute to the market growth for the cyanoacrylate-derived adhesives segment over the coming years.

Based on application, the global surgical sealant and adhesives market is segmented into general surgery, orthopedic surgery, cosmetic surgery, gynecology surgery, cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, and other applications. 

The general surgery segment owns the highest market share and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 6.79% during the forecast period. General surgery, such as gall bladder, trauma, hernia, and appendix, among others, have been included. Biological adhesives and sealants are primarily used to repair damaged tissues, fortify surgical wounds, and even replace traditional suturing techniques. In general surgery, adhesives must meet several criteria, including clinical needs, biological effects, and material characteristics. Certain polymers can meet these criteria. Natural or manmade polymeric materials can create three-dimensional networks that bind to target tissues physically or chemically, acting as hemostats, sealants, or adhesives.

In addition, the most important components of these interfaces are fibrin, gelatin, dextran, chitosan, cyanoacrylates, polyethylene glycol, and polyurethanes. Various aspects of their adhesion mechanisms, mechanical performance, and resistance to body fluids should be considered when selecting the most appropriate formulation for the target application.

Cosmetic surgery is expected to become a significant application area for surgical sealants and adhesives due to the tremendous potential of this material in tissue engineering and regenerative therapies. Regenerative medicine is gaining rapid traction in aesthetics for multiple purposes, including reversing tissue aging to repair scarring. Advantages, such as simple wound closure, sealing of cavities, attaching grafts and flaps, and decreasing bleeding, bruising, and edema, are problems that all aesthetic and reconstructive surgeons face daily in their practice. A tissue sealant with these characteristics would have limitless applications in plastic and reconstructive surgery. This will likely boost the demand for sealants and adhesives to treat traumatic injuries and burns.

Recent Developments

• February 2023- Membra is a new hydrogel polymer wound sealant developed by Animus Surgical for use on horses, companion animals, and aquatic animals.
• April 2023- SHOFU INC. SUN MEDICAL CO., LTD. and Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., announced that Shofu Dental Brasil Comercio de Produtos Odontologicos Ltda., a sales subsidiary of SHOFU, will launch Brazilian sales of SUN MEDICAL’s Super-Bond™ dental adhesive in June 2023.