Antimicrobial Additives Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Organic, Inorganic), By Application (Plastics, Paints & Coatings), By End Use (Healthcare, Food & Beverage), And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global antimicrobial additives market size was valued at USD 2.65 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6% from 2022 to 2030. The rising population and rapid urbanization in emerging economies of Asia Pacific are likely to boost the growth of the end-use industries, which, in turn, is expected to escalate the product demand over the forecast period. The product demand is expected to increase majorly in the healthcare and packaging application industries. Rising demand for healthcare and packaging products, due to the growing number of COVID-19 cases around the world, is projected to support the market growth. The Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the global market on account of the strong presence of the major healthcare product manufacturers.

After the pandemic, Japan, India, and Indonesia are expected to contribute to the growth of the construction sector in the Asia Pacific region owing to increasing consumer disposable income and rising government spending on large infrastructural projects. Ascending demand for commercial, residential, and institutional buildings in China, on account of a growing population, is in turn, contributing to the growth of the market.

The market in the U.S. is expected to witness moderate growth over the coming years. The high demand for advanced healthcare services owing to the well-developed healthcare infrastructure and reimbursement coverage plans is anticipated to drive the growth of the medical devices industry in the country. A constantly growing target population and rise in the number of car accidents are projected to propel the demand for surgeries. This, in turn, will drive the product demand in the country in the years to come.

However, stringent regulations have made the antimicrobial additives suppliers introduce and set up new compositions to meet the safe administration and anti-bacterial properties standards, such as Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) EU 528/2012 and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Thus, such stringent regulations are expected to hamper the market growth during the forecast period.

Type Insights

The inorganic type segment led the market and accounted for approximately 52.6% share of the global revenue in 2021. High demand for silver, copper, and zinc based additives is projected to fuel the segment growth during the forecast period. Silver-based products are used as antimicrobial agents owing to their properties, such as non-toxicity, continual performance for a long duration, eco-friendly nature, high thermal stability, and protection against microbial growth. Zinc pyrithione is added to the materials that are prone to exposure to mold spores and fungi as the additive offers excellent antibacterial protection. Copper salts provide antimicrobial protection in preservative and sterilized applications with underlying substrates or layers being paints, coatings, and polymers.

Organic antimicrobial additives, when used with products and materials, such as paints and coatings, provide long-lasting protection against stain and odor-causing microbes as well as biodegradation. For example, triclosan inhibits the growth of microbes with the help of a chemical reaction, which results in penetrating and damaging their cell walls. As the cell wall perforates and excludes the metabolites, other cell functions are damaged, which prevents microbes, such as algae and bacteria, from duplicating. The growth of the organic type segment is expected to be sluggish during the forecast period on account of the ban on the sales and use of OBPA and triclosan due to their high levels of toxicity.

Application Insights

The plastics application segment led the market and accounted for 34% share of the global revenue in 2021. This high share is attributed to the extensive utilization of plastic in the production of soap dispensers, food containers, surgical products, and breathing devices owing to its adaptable nature. Plastic is susceptible to microbial growth including bacteria and mold, which is expected to negatively impact the functional lifetime of a product. Antimicrobial additives are incorporated during the production process of plastics to offer resistance against various microbes, thus, resulting in enhanced durability of plastic products. Antimicrobial additives have application in all types of paints and coatings, such as solvent, water, oil, and powder-based coatings.

Specialty, industrial, and decorative coatings are considerably benefitted from antimicrobial additives. For instance, silver-based additives give cost-effective protection solutions when used with paints. The additives added in inks and lacquers impart durable top-coat protection when applied on paper, metal, and plastic. Pulp & paper is a highly diverse industry as it comprises specialized papers intended for currency printing, tissue production, and newsprint; and paperboards intended for packaging applications. Paper is prone to the fast accumulation of dirt; thus, the paper products must have microbe-resistant properties before being handled in various end-use applications.

End-use Insights

The healthcare end-use segment led the global market and accounted for approximately 26% share of the global revenue in 2021. The segment is estimated to expand further at the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030 due to the rising demand for healthcare products due to the growing geriatric population. The healthcare environment plays a key role, especially in Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs). HAIs, additional infections that occur in patients during their stay in hospitals, are fatal and generally caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1 in 25 patients is diagnosed with HAI in the country each year. HAIs can lead to prolonged stays in the hospital, readmission after discharge, and an increase in the expenses for patients. Thus, these challenges have led to increased interest in developing strategies and products to reduce the risk of HAIs. The incorporation of antimicrobial additives in healthcare furnishings and medical equipment is a step toward minimizing the risk of such infections.

The food & beverage end-use segment is expected to witness a considerable growth rate during the forecast period supported by the continuous utilization of additives in shelving, flooring, food processing equipment, ice-making machines, storage containers, water coolers, and water hydration systems in the food & beverage industry. The increasing population and changing lifestyle of consumers are anticipated to drive the product demand in the food & beverage sector during the forecast period.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific dominated the market and accounted for a 38% share of the global revenue in 2021. The market is driven by the growth of the major end-use industries, such as automotive, healthcare, construction, food and beverage, and packaging. The robust manufacturing base of the automotive industry in China, Japan, and India coupled with increased sales of passenger vehicles is anticipated to augment the product demand. In addition, favorable policies, such as Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and Make in India, implemented by the government of India are expected to create ample growth opportunities for the automobile industry.

The Indian government has approved a proposed investment of USD 5.87 billion through the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for the automobile industry. These initiatives are expected to help the automobile industry, which, in turn, is expected to increase product consumption in automobile applications.

Industrial expansion in the region is anticipated to augment the demand for antimicrobial additives in industrial machinery, equipment, and containers. The growing construction industry in the emerging economies of Asia Pacific and increased infrastructure spending by the governments of India and China are also among the key factors responsible for driving the product demand. However, the regional market was adversely affected by the COVID-19 owing to limited cross-border trade among the economies. The healthcare end-use segment is driving the product demand in the region owing to the rising usage of syringes, surgical drapes, and personal protective clothing.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The global antimicrobial additives market is significantly fragmented owing to the presence of many manufacturers across the globe. Global players face intense competition from each other as well as from regional players, who have a strong awareness of regulations and suppliers in the markets.

Prominent players are involved in activities, such as mergers & acquisitions, expansion of manufacturing facilities, investments in R&D, and seeking opportunities to vertically integrate across the value chain. For instance, in August 2018, LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V. expanded its polymer business by acquiring A. Schulman Inc. In November 2019, Sanitized AG partnered with Bodo Moller Chemie for the distribution of sanitized antimicrobial additives in the Eastern Europe market. In October 2020, Sanitized AG also partnered with FERRO-PLAST for the Italian market. This strategic sales partnership for antimicrobial polymer additive products is expected to help both companies in a long run. Some prominent players in the global antimicrobial additives market include:

• NanoBioMatters Industries S.L.

• BASF SE

• RTP Company

• Milliken Chemical

• BioCote Ltd.

• Microban International

• Clariant AG

• PolyOne Corp.

• Momentive Performance Materials, Inc.

• Life Materials Technologies Ltd.

• SteriTouch Ltd.

• Sanitized AG

• Dow, Inc.

• LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V.

• Plastics Color Corp.

• Lonza

Antimicrobial Additives Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report 

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global antimicrobial additives market report based on type, application, end-use, and region:

• Type Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Organic

  • Inorganic

    • Silver

    • Copper

    • Zinc

• Application Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Plastics

  • Paints & Coatings

  • Pulp & Paper

  • Others

• End-use Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Healthcare

    • Minimally Invasive Medical Products

    • Endotracheal Tubes

    • Wound Dressing

    • Surgical Drapes

    • Syringes

    • Re-usable Medical Items

      • Hospital Bedding

      • Dental Trays

      • Beds

      • Hospital Gowns

      • Orthopedic Devices

      • Laparoscopic Instruments

      • Medical Scrubs

  • Packaging

  • Food Packaging

    • Active Packaging

    • Controlled Release Packaging

  • Non-food Packaging

  • Food & Beverage

    • Bakery Food

    • Beverages

    • Dairy

    • Meat Processing

  • Building & Construction

    • Insulation

    • Faucets & Fixtures

    • Door Hardware

    • Sealants & Grouts

    • Carpet

    • Paints

    • OSB

    • Melamine

    • Others

  • Automotive & Transportation

    • Passenger Cars

    • Light Commercial Vehicles

    • Heavy Commercial Vehicles

    • Train

    • Aeroplanes

  • Textile

    • Apparels

    • Home Textiles

    • Footwear

    • Sport Textiles

    • Non-woven

    • Others

  • Consumer Goods

    • Cleaning Products

    • Cosmetics

    • Toys

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

    • Italy

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • GCC Countries

    • South Africa