Medical Adhesives Market Analysis By Resin Type (Acrylic Adhesive, Polyurethane, Cyanoacrylate, Epoxy, Silicone), By Technology, By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global medical adhesives market size was worth USD 7.59 billion in 2016. Increasing consumer awareness regarding increasing health consciousness among consumers is anticipated to drive the demand for Medical Adhesive (MA) products.

MAs are manufactured using various technologies such as water-based, solvent-based, and hot melt. They are used in a wide range of applications such as dental, medical device & equipment, internal application, external application for dental appliance fabrication, and for restorative purposes. Industries, such as device & equipment and healthcare, are witnessing numerous technological advancements and the production of unique devices, which, in turn, promotes the use of MA. 

The U.S. market was valued at USD 924.82 million in 2016 and is expected to progress at a CAGR of 9.5% from 2017 to 2025. About 29% of the globally manufactured MA products find application in dental devices. Health safety is one of the primary concerns and top priorities for developing new MA products. Increasing applications of internal and external medical device applications are expected to be the major factors driving MA demand in the U.S.

Resin Type Insights

Acrylic adhesives are available in different forms and can be used in applications that require high tensile strength, sheer & peel strength, and shock & impact resistance. Acrylic adhesives are available in three forms: tape, paste, and liquid form. Tape form is usually used in fabrics, whereas the liquid form is used for decorations and carpentry work. Acrylic adhesives demonstrate excellent peel and tack performance and are designed for use as bandages and various other products.

Polyurethane (PU) adhesives are used for bonding various medical devices and as surface primers to increase the reactivity of the surface. These high-grade adhesive solutions possess superior impact and chemical resistance, flexibility as well as low temperature, and wear resistance. PU adhesives also hold an advantage over other conventional resins such as epoxy adhesives.

Water-based adhesives are mixed with water before their use in end-use applications. They improve the moisture resistance of devices in comparison to other adhesives that are soluble in water. Gluten, PVA, casein, starch, and skin glues are the most commonly used products in several industrial applications.

North America is anticipated to be a significant consumer of hot-melt MA over the forecast period due to technological innovations to enhance the productivity of products. The principal industry participants are also involved in developing innovative production methods by using their global R&D capabilities and technical knowledge to drive advanced industrial solutions. These factors are expected to drive the industry growth across the region in the upcoming years.

Application Insights

The use of adhesives in the manufacturing of medical devices is growing at a near 10% annual rate. MAs can be grouped into various categories of implant, tissue bonding, apparatus, dental, pressure sensitive, and wound closure.

In device and equipment segment, numerous adhesive types are used for the assembly of disposable and non-disposable devices, equipment, and surgical tools. These adhesives incorporate light-curing acrylics, cyanoacrylates, or instant adhesives, polyurethanes, epoxies, and silicones, each with distinct properties, classified as uncured and cured.

Adhesives are present in the liquid state and convert to solid during the curing cycle. Curing properties comprise fixture time, exothermic output, tack-free time, and cure depth. The handling strength of tools is different to every device and its associated manufacturing processes, therefore, its value diversifies for each application.

Regional Insights

The U.S., EU, and Japan collectively account for about 70% of the global manufacturing and consumption of medical devices. The manufacturing industry in the U.S. is competitive in nature and characterized by continuous innovation such as novel designs and products. Various multilateral and bilateral trade contracts have smoothened the U.S. trade in MA and focus on concerns related to medical device industry, such as the harmonization of medical device regulatory system.

The U.S. and EU companies manufacture a wide range of devices ranging from local hospital supplies to advanced technology products and advanced cardiovascular instruments. Japanese firms are narrowly focusing on developing medical imaging instruments and commodity hospital supplies. Government healthcare and regulatory guidelines have inhibited the growth of Japanese medical device business. The global share of related manufacturing has declined throughout the past period in Japan.

Developed nations such as the UK have made it mandatory that medicines like contraceptives, aspirin, paracetamol, and many other drugs are offered in Child-Resistant Packaging (CRP). Various new regulations and technological upgrade in pharmaceutical industry, research, and manufacturing sectors have driven MA industry growth.

Europe adhesive market is witnessing growth owing to rising manufacturing activities. The manufacturers in Eastern Europe are inclined toward organic growth in a bid to strengthen their global reach and tap into the regional markets.

Competitive Insights

The industry is highly competitive and fragmented in nature. Some players in this sector include 3M Company, H.B. Fuller, Ashland, The DOW Chemical Company, Bostik Ltd., Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Ethicon (Johnson & Johnson), Chemence Ltd., Cohera Medical, Inc., and Avery Dennison Corporation. Some players have forward integrated their operations to cut down on raw material procurement and operation costs.

Report Scope 

Segments covered in the report

This report forecasts volume and revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis on the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the Global Medical Adhesives market on the basis of resin type, technology, application, and region:

• Resin Type Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • Acrylic Adhesive

  • Polyurethane

  • Cyanoacrylate

  • Epoxy

  • Silicone

  • Others

• Technology Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • Water-based

  • Solvent-based

  • Hot Melt

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • Dental

  • Medical Device & Equipment

  • Internal Medical Application

  • External Medical Application

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

  • The Middle East & Africa

  • Central & South America