Medical Lifting Sling Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report, By Product (Nylon, Padded, Mesh, Canvas), By Application (Transfer, Universal, Hammock, Standing, Seating, Toilet, Bariatric), By Usage, By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global medical lifting sling market size was valued at USD 814.8 million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2022 to 2030. The increasing incidence of chronic disorders requiring long-term patient care is projected to boost the usage of medical lifting slings. Demand for medical lifting slings market is increasing due to the increasing geriatric population along with the increasing number of physically disabled people. In addition, the outbreak of COVID-19 in the year 2020 has positively impacted the medical lifting sling market growth. The health results of people with severe COVID-19 are improved by rehabilitation. COVID-19 patients are at significant risk of long-term damage and disability and will require supporting aids and other assisted devices during their entire stay in the hospital. Various market participants are working hard to meet the need for assistive devices in hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, commode chairs, patient lifts, slings, etc. for rehabilitation.

These factors are anticipated to create huge growth opportunities for market players during the forecast period. Aging heightens the susceptibility of an individual to developing target diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis. For instance, as per the Arthritis Society, About 6 million Canadians (1 in 5 adults) have arthritis, by 2036, this number is expected to grow to an estimated 9 million by 2040, (1 in 5 today to 1 in 4 in 2040). The elderly population is also more susceptible to chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and other lifestyle-associated disorders, which is expected to propel the growth of the market. As per the CDC, in 2016, there are over 49 million people in the U.S. aged 65 years & above, representing 15% of the population and this number is anticipated to reach 71 million by 2030 and 98 million by 2060. As per the Population Reference Bureau fact sheet, the number of people in the U.S. aged 65 and above is expected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060 (a rise from 16% to 23%). Consequently, the expanding geriatric population base is expected to broaden the patient pool for manufacturers of medical lifting slings. In addition, aging demographics have created the demand for long-term care centers, and old-age homes, in turn, which drives the need for medical lifting slings.

Furthermore, the increasing number of obese people is also anticipated to boost the medical lifting sling market growth. Bariatric slings are specifically designed to handle obese patients. The incidence of obesity has increased significantly in the past few years, especially among the aged groups, which augments the difficulty of handling and moving obese patients. As per the report published by the CDC in 2020, the rates of obesity rose considerably among adults from 33.7% to 39.6% between the years 2015 & 2016 and 2019 & 2020. During this time the rates of severe obesity also increased from 5.7% to 7.7%.

Germany is the world’s third largest provider of medical technology products, following the U.S. and Japan. In addition, continuous investment in research and innovation by medical device manufacturers in Germany is expected to contribute significantly to the European medical lifting slings market. For instance, approximately 1,200 companies are active in the medical technology sector and invest around nine percent of their turnover in R&D. Strong cooperation between equipment manufacturers and R&D institutes in Germany assists in maintaining an internationally unparalleled competitive edge. Germany has more than 11,000 medical device manufacturers and is home to more than 30 specialized cluster networks for continuous innovation in R&D along with manufacturing by linking companies, universities, hospitals, and other research institutes.

Moreover, growing healthcare expenditure levels is a key concern, with patients and the government constantly striving to curb these costs. With an ever-increasing prevalence of diseases and the baby boomer population, healthcare expenditure levels are expected to continue growing during the forecast period. The growth of home healthcare as a cost-effective alternative to expensive hospital stays is expected to serve this market as a high-impact rendering driver throughout the forecast period.

Product Insights

On the basis of products, the market has been segmented into nylon slings, padded slings, mesh slings, canvas slings, and other slings. Nylon sling dominated the market in terms of the market revenue and maximum share with 29.3% in 2021. This is attributed to its durability as well as resistance to infections. Nylon-based slings are thin & flexible in nature, and primarily compatible with standing-support slings. It can handle a load of up to 300,000 pounds (136,363 kilograms) and offers the convenience to conform to any shape. In addition, these slings are resistant to temperature. Nylon-based medical lifting slings offer benefits such as efficient durability, reusability, and availability in multiple shapes and sizes. These factors are expected to majorly drive the segment growth over the forecast period.

Mesh slings are anticipated to follow nylon slings in terms of market share. This is attributed to its features which mainly include air permeable fabric. They are mainly used for bathing and showering as the mesh material permits water to pass easily through the sling. Also, the padded medical lifting slings are majorly used by amputees and find major applications in toileting. Generally, padded medical lifting slings are well padded under the arms and in the lumbar area for support and to offer maximum comfort. Owing to increasing comfortability coupled with safety, the padded medical lifting segment is anticipated to exhibit favorable growth during the forecast period.

Application Insights

Based on application, the market has been segmented into transfer slings universal slings, hammock slings, standing slings, seating slings, toileting slings, bariatric slings, and others. Transfer slings dominated the market in 2021 with 29.0% market share, and are also anticipated to remain dominant and grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. This is mainly due to its application, which includes transferring patients to and or from a chair, bed, and from the floor. Patient transfer is the prime application of medical lifting slings, which includes the transfer of a patient from bed to floor or floor to the bed, transfer of users or amputees from a horizontal to a seated position, or vice-versa. It also includes ergonomic patient transfers and vehicle transfers. Owing to its varied utility and better adjustability, the transfer segment is expected to dominate the medical lifting slings market throughout the forecast period.

Followed by transfer slings, the universal slings are also projected to grow at a healthy CAGR as they are appropriate for most lifting situations, which makes it a good choice when caregivers are uncertain about patients to be lifted. They are multi-purpose slings that come with leg, hip, shoulder, and side straps to provide better support and distribute weight. Major market players such as Prism Medical, and Hill-Rom are offering slings having multiple color-coded loops that can accommodate various seating positions, which finds universal applications. Rising preferences of users for slings with universal applications are anticipated to contribute significantly to the growth of the market.

Usage Insights

On the basis of usage, the market is segmented into reusable and disposable slings. The reusable medical lifting slings held the largest share in 2021 generating over USD 476.0 million in revenue in the global market. This is owing to the fact that they can be used and washed multiple times. Most of the reusable slings can be used for patients with limited upper body function (head support) and are controlled by the caregiver. In addition, reusable slings are designed to make a move, roll, or turn a patient easily. These types of slings are usually made from polyester and yarn to enhance comfort and reduce shear by adjusting to the contours of the body. The reusable medical lifting slings segment is expected to exhibit a moderate growth rate during the forecast period.

However, disposable medical slings are projected to exhibit rapid growth over the forecast period. The increasing rate of hospital-borne diseases and cross-infection due to reusable products is the primary reason for professionals to switch to disposable products. They can be easily disposed of to prevent cross contamination when it becomes dirty. The sling is made from environmentally friendly material.

End-use Insights

The end-users of these products are elderly care centers, home healthcare services, hospitals, and other settings, such as nursing centers and long-term care facilities. Hospitals formed the largest end-user for these products in 2021 and are anticipated to witness a CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period. The huge patient pool and a greater financing capability facilitate bulk purchasing of these products in hospitals. Medical lifting slings are majorly used in hospitals to transfer patients who have mobility-related disorders. The hospital segment is anticipated to dominate the medical lifting slings market during the forecast period, owing to an increasing bulk purchase of medical lifting slings due to its limited product life and rising use of medical lifting slings in hospitals for assisting the disabled patients.

On the contrary, the home healthcare segment is anticipated to emerge as a promising end-user for these products. As compared to hospitals, home healthcare services offer an economic benefit. In addition, medical lifting slings are as an essential part of home health care (after the surgery is carried out), when a user or an amputee needs to get up from a sitting position or out of bed and/or move from one place to another place at home. Moreover, these slings are useful when the user is effortlessly lifted from a bed and transferred to a wheelchair, bath, or commode, without any strain to the caregiver or risk to the occupant. Increasing demand for these services in the developed as well as developing regions is anticipated to boost their usage in the care centers.

Regional Insights

Europe commanded the largest share of the medical lifting sling market in 2021 owing to higher research expenditure and more initiatives that provides advanced products and private-public partnerships. In addition, the high prevalence of chronic diseases and the introduction of supportive reimbursement schemes are the vital factors governing the market growth and resulting in a CAGR of 7.5%. Europe is home to world-class research and its research centers are used by researchers across the globe. The U.K. has created a world-leading research base. The EU along with individual European countries fund these research activities. The rising prevalence of chronic diseases and the introduction of supportive reimbursement schemes are the vital factors driving the growth of the European medical lifting slings market. In addition, initiatives by the European government to improve patient care in hospitals for serious illnesses are boosting the demand for medical slings during the forecast period.

The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness a robust growth rate during the forecast period. Increasing per capita income and economic development and the presence of high unmet needs of the huge population pool in this region are expected to contribute toward significant growth. Emerging economies, such as India and China, are the most lucrative markets due to the increasing patient pool, improving public and private reimbursement infrastructure, and the constant development of healthcare facilities. Increasing awareness about rehabilitation equipment, a growing number of physicians, and supportive government programs & policies are expected to boost growth in this region. The rapid adoption of new products amongst patients is also contributing to the growth of the market in this region.

Medical Lifting Sling Market Share Insights

Due to greater opportunities present in both developed and developing countries, companies are undertaking various strategic initiatives, such as mergers, acquisitions & collaborations, for developing novel innovative solutions and expanding operations to increase their global presence. Distribution channel enhancement, new product development, regional expansion, and collaborations are the key strategic undertakings influencing the industry dynamics. For instance, in December, 2021, Baxter International, Inc., a global medical technology company, acquired Hill-Rom to create new opportunities for innovation, which will help reduce costs and improve care outcomes across the board. Some prominent players in the medical lifting sling market include:

• ArjoHuntleigh

• Invacare Corporation

• Hill-Rom (Baxter)

• Joerns Healthcare LLC

• Argo Medical, Inc.

• Prism Medical

• DJO Global

• V.Guldmann A/S

• Spectra Care Group

• Drive Medical Inc.

Medical Lifting Sling Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the medical lifting sling market based on product, application, usage, end-use, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Nylon Slings

  • Padded Slings

  • Mesh Slings

  • Canvas Slings

  • Other Slings

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Transfer Slings

  • Universal Slings

  • Hammock Slings

  • Standing Slings

  • Seating Slings

  • Toileting Slings

  • Bariatric Slings

  • Other Slings

• Usage Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Reusable Slings

  • Disposable Slings

• End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Hospital

  • Homecare

  • Elderly Care

  • Other Healthcare Settings

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Spain

    • Italy

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

    • Colombia

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE