Medical Injection Molding Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By System (Cold Runner, Hot Runner), By Class (Class 1, Class 2, Class 3), By Material (Metal, Plastics), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2026

Industry Insights

The global medical injection molding market size was valued at USD 1.34 billion in 2018 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 4.0% over the forecast period. An increase in the application of plastic in healthcare products, rising demand for medical devices, adoption of disposable products, and technological advancements are a few factors driving the growth. The medical injection molding process is used for manufacturing medical products in large quantities as it offers various benefits such as detailed features, complex geometry, efficiency, enhanced strength, and simultaneous use of different types of materials.

Increasing the use of polypropylene-based materials in medical injection molding process as well as extrusion blow molding applications is positively influencing the market. It attributes to higher productivity due to thermal and impact resistance, flowability, and recyclability. Polymers based material such as Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) polymer is ideal for long-term orthopedic implant applications. It is self-sterilizing and also costs less than other materials. The use of polymers helps reduce Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs).

The polymer has been used in various applications such as artificial joints which reduces friction and enables free movement. The material is also used for manufacturing medical devices due to its ability to reduce the weight and improve the functionality of these devices. Thus, benefits offered by polymers makes them effective to use in medical products to improve functionality. All these advantages are projected to fuel the demand for medical injection molding in near future.

Increasing prevalence of urological diseases and chronic pain among others has resulted in the increased demand for disposable medical products. Polymers are used for manufacturing various medical disposables such as hypodermic devices, surgical instruments, infusion, and diagnostic and wound care products. Disposable products are easy to use, reliable, and less prone to infections compared to reusable devices. These products are made from pharmaceutical plastic and metal.

Medical-grade plastic has unique characteristics such as high resistance to temperature and wear and corrosion which makes the medical devices, equipment, and supplies ideal for everyday use in hospitals. Increasing the use of disposable medical products in the healthcare sector due to the advantages, such as biocompatibility, autoclavability, transparency, and lightweight is in turn projected to drive market growth.

System Insights

Based on the system, the medical injection molding market is segmented into a hot runner and cold runner. Hot runner molds consist of two plates, which are heated using a complex framework. There are two kinds of hot runner systems, namely, inside warmed and remotely warmed. Inside warmed molds enable better stream control, whereas remotely warmed molds are better for warming delicate materials.

Hot runner system led the market in 2018 owing to several benefits this system such as faster cycle time and lower pressure requirement to push the molten mixture into the mold cavity. Furthermore, elimination of waste due to the absence of runners, accommodation of larger parts with a higher volume of production, improvement inconsistency, and quality of parts are a few more factors contributing to the market growth.

Class Insights

Class 2 segment is expected to expand at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period due to features of these medical injection molding machines, such as lower risk and higher safety and effectiveness than other devices. According to BMP MEDICAL, 43% of medical devices fall under this category. Pregnancy test kits and powered wheelchairs are some of the products classified in this class. These devices are mainly subjected to post-market surveillance, mandatory performance standard, and special labeling requirements.

In 2018, class 3 medical devices held the leading market share owing to their capacity to bear the highest amount of risk. Overall 10.0% of all the medical devices fall under this category. These devices are capable of handling the substantial risk of injury and are designed with the balance of strong cybersecurity control and easy accessibility. Class 3 includes devices such as implanted pacemakers, heart valves, and cerebral simulator.

Material Insights

Based on material, the market is segmented into plastics and metal. Plastics are further divided into injection blow molding and extrusion blow molding. In 2018, the plastics segment held the leading market share owing to low cost and improved ergonomics and functionality. Medical device plastics can be used in combination with metal and provides increased versatility for creating enhanced medical products.

HTI Plastics produces high-quality pharmaceutical medical devices and products for various treatments such as anti-fungal (yeast), anti-bacterial HIV, contraception, spermicide, lubricants, and estrogen therapy. High adoption of plastics for the manufacturing of medical devices due to low cost and improved ergonomics is anticipated to drive the growth of the segment in the forthcoming years.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific is expected to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to a rise in government spending, high demand for medical devices, and an increasing patient population. High demand for polypropylene is one of the key regional growth drivers. Polypropylene is a thermoplastic polymer widely used in medical applications such as syringes, hospitals disposables, beakers, and pouches. Polypropylene is one of the major polymers used in the medical devices industry. According to ScienceDirect, polypropylene is the most commonly used material is permanently implanted medical devices due to its superior flexibility and versatility. Moreover, it is also used in the surgical mesh of hernia treatment.

According to a report by the United Nations’ Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), in 2016, around 12.4% of the total population was 60 years or above, and the number is estimated to reach 1.3 billion by 2050. Government reimbursement for medical devices in developing countries such as China and Japan is anticipated to bode well for the market. Other factors such as increasing patient population and high demand for medical devices are also expected to boost market growth.

Medical Injection Molding Market Share Insights

Few of the major market players are C&J Industries; HTI Plastics; AMS Micromedical, LLC; Currier Plastics Inc.; Proto Labs, Inc.; JOHNSON PRECISION INC.; Metro Mold & Design Inc.; Harbec, Inc.; Milacron; and ENGEL AUSTRIA GMBH. These companies focus on launching new products, technological advancements, and growth strategies, such as mergers and acquisitions. For instance, in July 2019, Milacron Holdings Corp. announced its acquisition by Hillenbrand Inc. —a public company. This acquisition will help Milacron Holdings Corp. enhance its product portfolio in near future. The transaction is valued at around USD 2.0 billion and is expected to finish by 2020.

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 2015 to 2026. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global medical injection molding market report based on system, class, material, and region:

• System Outlook (Revenue, 2015 - 2026 (USD Million))

  • Cold Runner

  • Hot Runner

• Class Outlook (Revenue, 2015 - 2026 (USD Million))

  • Class I

  • Class II

  • Class III

• Material Outlook (Revenue, 2015 - 2026 (USD Million))

  • Plastic

    • Injection Blow Molding

    • Extrusion Blow Molding

  • Metal

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, 2015 - 2026 (USD Million))

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

    • Colombia

  • The Middle East and Africa (MEA)

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE