Antimicrobial Plastics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Commodity, Engineering, High Performance), By End Use (Building & Construction, Automotive & Transportation), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

Report Overview

The global antimicrobial plastics market size was valued at USD 25.4 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9% from 2020 to 2028. The increasing penetration in the food and beverages, packaging, and healthcare end-use industry is expected to be the major driver of the market over the forecast period. Moreover, the rising consumer awareness related to personal hygiene due to increasing cases of epidemic outbreaks such as COVID- 19, H5N1 Avian influenza, and H1N1 Swine flu in recent times, has led to a rise in demand for antimicrobial plastic in consumer goods in recent years. Antimicrobial plastics are now being increasingly used as a substitute for conventional material in the healthcare sector for manufacturing medical instruments such as ventilators and anesthetic machines owing to their pathogens inhibiting properties.

These plastics help in minimizing the growth of pathogenic microorganisms like algae, bacteria, and fungi and have excellent moisture resistance which also raises their acceptability for effective food packaging solutions in the food and beverage industry. Antimicrobial additives help in increasing the functional lifetime of the plastic and inhibit the growth of bacteria that can cause the plastic to degrade quicker, hence makes it more durable, stainless, odorless, and highly suitable for application in medical devices.

Antimicrobial plastics are manufactured using a combination of plastic resins and antimicrobial additives hence many antimicrobial additive manufacturers invest in research & development for developing advanced technologies adding an edge in sustaining the rising competitive environment. For instance, in April 2020, Polyfuze Graphics Corp. introduced a new proprietary line of polymer fusion products with antimicrobial blocking agents.

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has drastically raised the demand for antimicrobial plastics in the health care sector. The constantly rising ill patient population on account of the pandemic outbreak at the community level is propelling the need for various medical equipment such as ventilators, beds, gloves, masks, and others, thereby, boosting the demand for antimicrobial plastics in the healthcare sector.

Antimicrobial Plastics Market Trends

The rising healthcare expenditure and growing population in developing countries contribute to the increased need to construct hospitals and clinics. This, in turn, is expected to propel the demand for sophisticated medical devices and equipment in these regions, thereby fueling the demand for antimicrobial plastics.

Various government initiatives to promote the early diagnosis of diseases such as cervical cancer prevention and control program by the United Nations Task Force, increasing adoption of home healthcare services, the establishment of long-term care centers, and favorable policies such as reimbursement coverage are the factors primarily influencing the growth of the diagnostic & monitoring segment positively, thereby, driving the demand for antimicrobial plastics in the healthcare industry.

Increasing requirements for low-cost medical care and the rising disposable incomes of the middle-class population in emerging economies such as China, India, Singapore, and Malaysia are expected to boost the growth of the medical devices market in the Asia Pacific. Moreover, the rapid growth of the medical tourism industry in India, Brazil, Turkey, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Malaysia is anticipated to propel the demand for medical devices in the Asia Pacific and South America over the upcoming years. The abovementioned factors can boost the demand for antimicrobial plastics over the forecast period.

There is an ascending demand for antimicrobial plastic packaging in the healthcare industry is used to protect plastic products and medical equipment from fungal and bacterial growth and helps in preventing communicable diseases by inhibiting the growth of microbes which can further act as a driving factor for the antimicrobial plastics market.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has raised health concerns across the globe. According to the CDC, SARS-CoV-2, the virus can survive on plastic, metal, wood, stainless steel, cardboard, glass, ceramic, paper, fabrics, and other surfaces for long periods. Although disinfectants are used to decimate micro-organisms such as viruses and bacteria, they are not always effective against all micro-organisms on various surfaces. Since plastic is widely used in a wide range of applications, the COVID-19 pandemic can drive the market for antimicrobial plastics.

The use of antimicrobial plastics in the manufacturing of disposable hygiene products and medical devices is recognized as one of the significant trends in the healthcare industry. Stringent regulations have prompted antimicrobial plastic suppliers to introduce new compositions to meet the safe administration and anti-bacterial properties standards, such as Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) EU 528/2012 and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which are expected to hamper the growth of the antimicrobial plastics market over the forecast period.

Product Insights

Commodity plastic led the market and accounted for a 67.9% share of the global revenue in 2020. The rising application of commodity plastic in packaging, consumer products, healthcare, and the food and beverage industry is expected to drive the market over the forecast period of time. The product growth in these end-use industries is primarily driven by rising consumer awareness related to personal hygiene and the changing lifestyle of consumers across the world.

Polyethylene and polypropylene antimicrobial plastics are the major contributors in driving the demand for commodity plastic owing to their better biocompatibility, high impact strength, moisture resistance, chemical resistance, and wide range of applications in various end-use industries.

The spread of coronavirus disease across the world has positively impacted the demand for these antimicrobial plastics in consumer goods applications. Consumer buying behavior is shifting toward products that are healthy, trustworthy, and environmentally sensitive. This shift in consumer buying behavior and structural change in the consumer goods industry is expected to augment the demand for commodity plastics with antimicrobial properties in consumer goods applications over the forecast period.

End-use Insights

Healthcare end-use segment led the market and accounted for more than 31.0% share of the global revenue in 2020. The growth of the home healthcare sector on account of the low costs involved as compared to hospital care and the rising demand for intensive care medical devices is expected to increase the antimicrobial plastics demand in the healthcare sector in the coming years.

The high demand for advanced healthcare services owing to the availability of well-developed healthcare infrastructure, increasing incidences of cardiovascular diseases, and rising aging population across the world is anticipated to drive the demand for medical devices. This, in turn, is expected to have a positive impact on the demand for antimicrobial plastic in healthcare applications.

Further, the recent outbreak of COVID-19 across the globe is fueling the demand for medical components such as masks, gloves, testing equipment, and ventilators. This, in turn, is positively propelling the growth of the antimicrobial plastics market. The increasing number of positive cases in countries, such as the U.S., Italy, Spain, France, Germany, the U.K., and Iran, are triggering the demand for medical components, thereby creating lucrative growth opportunities for the antimicrobial plastic market.

Antimicrobial plastic packaging is widely utilized in the food & beverage industry as it is preservative-free, requires minimal processing, and inhibits the growth of microorganisms and thus, extends the shelf life of perishable products. Rising health awareness among consumers and the ascending need for products with a longer shelf life have resulted in increased utilization of antimicrobial plastic packaging in the recent past and the trend is expected to continue over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific dominated the antimicrobial plastics market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 40.05% in 2020. The region is anticipated to continue its dominance over the forecast period. The Asia Pacific antimicrobial plastics market is driven by major end-use industries such as packaging, automotive & transportation, healthcare, building & construction, food & beverage, and. The robust manufacturing base of the automotive & transportation industry in China, India, and Japan, coupled with increased passenger vehicles sale, is anticipated to augment the growth of the antimicrobial plastics market in the region over the forecasted period.

China is expected to be one of the promising markets in the region on account of the government’s support for promoting investments in the manufacturing sector. Compared to that in North American and European countries, the lower manufacturing cost in China has forced numerous foreign direct investments in the automotive industry in the country. The abundant availability of raw materials such as polymers and metals in China is a favorable factor in promoting new investments in the automobile & transportation industry. Therefore, a positive automotive & transport industry outlook in China is anticipated to significantly augment the growth of the antimicrobial plastics market over the forecast period.

The North American construction industry is expected to witness considerable growth owing to the increasing demand for non-residential construction projects such as hospitals, schools, and colleges over the forecast period. Implementing the “Affordable Healthcare Act” in the U.S. has triggered the construction of hospitals and healthcare units. The rising population is further expected to propel the construction of colleges, schools, industrial plants, and office spaces, thereby driving the demand for antimicrobial plastics in the construction industry.

A robust manufacturing base of global cosmetics manufacturers comprising Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, and Procter & Gamble in the U.S. is expected to promote the demand for antimicrobial plastic flexible packaging in the personal care industry. The efforts undertaken by the U.S. government to reduce the carbon footprint by deploying eco-friendly products are expected to expand the application scope of antimicrobial plastics in flexible plastic packaging over the forecast period.

The rising demand for electric and hybrid vehicles along with the presence of major automotive manufacturers in Europe, including Volvo Car Corporation, Volkswagen AG, ASTON MARTIN, JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED, Mercedes-Benz AG, BMW AG, AUDI AG, FCA Italy S.p.A., Ferrari S.p.A., Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., and Porsche Austria GmbH & Co. is projected to result in industry expansion, in turn, driving the demand for antimicrobial plastics in the automotive industry over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is characterized by the presence of various small- and medium-scale companies catering to global and local demands. It is characterized by forward integration through raw material production, manufacture, and distribution to various application industries. Integration across the stages of the value chain results in continuous raw material supply, as well as low manufacturing costs. R&D initiatives by a few companies to enhance their product specifications and market reach are expected to further augment the product demand in the years to come. Some of the prominent players in this industry include:

• BASF SE

• Parx Materials N.V

• Ray Products Company Inc.

• Covestro AG

• King Plastic Corporation

• Palram Industries Ltd.

• Clariant AG

• Sanitized AG

• Dow Inc.

• Lonza 

Antimicrobial Plastics Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue 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 2028. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global antimicrobial plastic market report on the basis of product, end use, and region:

• Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Commodity Plastics

    • Polyethylene (PE)

    • Polypropylene (PP)

    • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

    • Polystyrene (PS)

    • Acrylonitrile Butadiene Systems (ABS)

    • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

  • Engineering Plastics

    • Polyamide (PA)

    • Polycarbonate (PC)

    • Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)

    • Others

  • High Performance Plastics

• End-use Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Building & Construction

  • Automotive & transportation

  • Healthcare

  • Packaging

  • Food & Beverage

  • Textile

  • Consumer Goods

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • North America

    • U.S

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

    • Italy

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Central and South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa

    • GCC Countries

    • South Africa